3 Truths from 2 Kings 6 & 7
Chapter 6 – Israel is besieged. The Syrians have them surrounded. No way out. Nowhere to go.
• As they seek Wisdom from Elisha, he declares:
• 2 Kings 6:16 Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
#1. He that is with us – is greater than he that is with them!
• You may feel alone – dismayed – defeated – But you are not alone!
The enemy will fight harder when God speaks.
• Expect it. Deal with it. Prepare for it. Weather it. Get through it!
Famine hits Israel.
• 2 Kings 6:25 there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver.
• Donkey’s head = $534
• Doves Dung = ¼ pound for $33.
• It even became worse. – They were boiling the babies.
• The King finally had enough and Said, the man of God will not have his head on his shoulders after today.
2 Kings 7 – The messenger arrives to the man of God’s house to give him the news.
• Verse 1 - Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the LORD: Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.”
#2 – By this time tomorrow.
• He did not hide. Blame God. Cry. Point fingers. He began to declare and prophesy to his challenge.
• He said 12 pounds of flour = $6 - and 20 pounds of barley = $3
Thank God there were 4 lepers –
• 4 men – cut off from their family – destined to die – alienated from the World. But still reaching for their destiny.
• They looked at one another – “we are going to die”. “Whether we die of this famine – or trying to get help”
• 2 Kings 7:3 Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?
#3 – Why should we set here til we die?
• I’m talking to someone today.
• You can die in your misery. Or rise above it.
• You’ve failed so many times that being down is all you feel comfortable.
• Blind Bartimaus – setting begging for food. When He heard Jesus was passing by. – HE GOT UP! He yelled from the top of his lungs, “Have mercy on me son of David”.
• Some of you need to get up today and cry out to a Savior who is in the house!
• WHY SHOUD YOU SET HERE TIL YOU DIE!
2 Kings 7: 5 And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one was there.
6 For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!”
7 Therefore they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives.
8 And when these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid them; then they came back and entered another tent, and carried some from there also, and went and hid it.
9 Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.”
1. He that is with you – is greater than He that is with them.
2. By this time tomorrow.
3. Why should we set here til we die?
