Psalm 102:15-22, 2 Kings 6:14-23, Romans 12:16-21, Matthew 8:1-13.
A). THE SET TIME.
Psalm 102:15-22.
The immediate context of these verses speaks of how the eternal LORD shall yet ‘have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come’ (cf. Psalm 102:13).
This anticipates more than the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It anticipates the gospel age, when “the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, and all kings of the earth thy glory” (PSALM 102:15; cf. Psalm 72:19; Revelation 11:15).
It also anticipates the glorious coming of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ (PSALM 102:16; cf. Titus 2:13).
All this is in answer to the prayers of His people (PSALM 102:17).
This should encourage us to keep on praying. ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ (cf. Psalm 122:6). Pray that ‘the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea’ (cf. Habakkuk 2:14). Pray for revival (cf. Psalm 85:6).
“This shall be written for the generation to come.” A people as yet unborn “shall praise the LORD” on account of it (PSALM 102:18). Looking back, those who are alive when He comes will be able to acknowledge that, ‘as it was written, so it was done!’
What is written? That He has LOOKED down from the height of heaven, and HEARD the groaning of the prisoners that are appointed to death (PSALM 102:19-20; cf. Exodus 3:7).
Supremely, it was the Lord Jesus who ‘proclaimed liberty to the captives’ (cf. Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18-19).
Those of us who have ‘been born again of the Spirit of God’ (cf. John 3:3) need to remember that we have already been ‘delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God’ (cf. Romans 8:21).
And if we are thus saved, we need to bear witness to it, and give the glory to the LORD. Thus we “declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem” (PSALM 102:21).
Yet this is not to be done ‘in a corner’ (cf. Acts 26:26), in our cosy closets and assemblies. But it is a Word to be ‘proclaimed from the rooftops’ (cf. Matthew 10:27).
“The peoples” (PSALM 102:22) cannot but be impressed when they consider the great things that the LORD has done for Zion (cf. Psalm 22:27; Psalm 68:31-32; Psalm 72:11; Isaiah 49:6).
This speaks to us of end times blessings, when the gospel shall have been preached to ‘every tribe, and kindred, and tongue, and nation’ (cf. Revelation 14:6), and when “the full number of the Gentiles” have been gathered in, "and so all Israel shall be saved” (Romans 11:25-26).
Pray towards, look towards, hope towards the glorious coming of Jesus.
B). TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE.
2 Kings 6:14-23.
The king of Syria suspected that he might have a spy in his camp, because the king of Israel somehow kept evading his ambushes. But no, informed one his servants, it was not one of us, but Elisha the prophet who kept telling the king of Israel ‘the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber’ (2 Kings 6:8-13). So the king of Syria sent a sizable force to apprehend this one man, and “horses and chariots, and a great host” came by night and surrounded the city of Dothan where Elisha was currently residing (2 KINGS 6:14).
Whatever business Elisha’s servant had to do “early” in the morning, when he had “gone forth” he beheld “an host compassed the city, and horses and chariots.” To his (physical) eyes it looked like an invasion force, and he feared for the lives of all whom that may affect. “Alas, my master!’ he cried, “What shall we do?” (2 KINGS 6:15).
“Fear not,” answered Elisha (2 KINGS 6:16a; cf. Genesis 15:1; Matthew 1:20). “For they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 KINGS 6:16b; cf. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8; 1 John 4:4).
Then he prayed, “LORD, open his eyes” (2 KINGS 6:17a). O that the LORD would open the eyes of our faith that we might ever see the power of His presence with us, even in the midst of adversity (cf. Psalm 34:7)!
The LORD gave a favourable answer to Elisha’s first prayer. And now the servant saw “horses and chariots” – and that OF “FIRE round about Elisha,” to his utter protection (2 KINGS 6:17b; cf. 2 Kings 2:11). Fire is a symbol of the LORD’s visible presence (cf. Exodus 3:2; Exodus 13:21).
In perfect symmetry with the above, Elisha’s second prayer was that the LORD would “smite” the Syrian army with “blindness” (2 KINGS 6:18). This word for ‘blindness’ is unusual, and is only used here and in Genesis 19:11. It perhaps speaks of them being dazzled by the presence of the holy, leaving them bewildered and confused (cf. Mark 4:12a).
It is somewhat ironic that the very man whom they had come to apprehend now offered his services: “Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek” (2 KINGS 6:19). Their ‘blindness’ was such that they followed the first man who offered to direct them, and in doing so they did not perceive that they had found their man! “But he led them down to Samaria.”
Having brought his enemies into Samaria, Elisha’s third prayer was “open their eyes that they may see” (2 KINGS 6:20). Again the LORD complied. Imagine their shock as their wits returned: “they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria!”
It is interesting to observe the deference and respect paid by the king of Israel to Elisha on this occasion: “My father” (2 KINGS 6:21). To the king it would appear that it was the prophet who had made the capture, and that these were his prisoners. Nevertheless, the repeated, “shall I smite them, shall I smite them” betrays the king’s keenness to destroy these enemies while they were helpless before him.
Elisha replies in kind: in effect, ‘if they were your prisoners, would you slay them?’ And without waiting for a reply, he orders them a meal (2 KINGS 6:22; cf. Proverbs 25:21-22). Thus the prophet ‘overcame evil with good’ (cf. Romans 12:20-21).
The king of Israel did as Elisha had said, and richly provided for his enemies, and sent them back to their master (2 KINGS 6:23). Thus it became apparent to the Syrians that this mode of warfare by “bands” or ‘companies’ (cf. 2 Kings 5:2) was fruitless, and they ceased from it.
C). HOW TO TREAT YOUR ENEMY.
Romans 12:16-21.
“Be not wise in yourselves,” reads the last clause of ROMANS 12:16. Paul has already warned us against being ‘wise in our own conceits’ (cf. Romans 11:25). This is also taught elsewhere in Scripture (cf. Proverbs 3:7; Isaiah 5:21; James 3:13-16).
The paradox is that we must become ‘a fool’ (in the world’s eyes) in order to be truly wise (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:18). After all, we cleave to the ‘foolishness’ of the cross (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18) and the ‘foolishness’ of preaching (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:21). But we also cleave to ‘Christ the wisdom of God’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:24).
ROMANS 12:17 (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:15). “To no-one evil for evil rendering.” This is in keeping with Jesus’ own teaching about ‘turning the other cheek’ (cf. Matthew 5:39).
The corollary is “Providing good before all men.” The Greek word translated “providing” has the sense here of ‘striving to exhibit’ (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:21). This is also in keeping with Jesus’ teaching (cf. Matthew 5:16).
ROMANS 12:18. “If possible, as to yourselves, with all men being at peace.” The first clause “if possible” is objective, suggesting that there may be a situation where, despite all our efforts, the other party is the one making peace impossible. This is not compromise, or ‘peace at any price’: but it is our responsibility “as much lies in us” to strive for peace. If we fail, at least let it not be because we did not try.
This, of course, is impossible for the natural man. It is only possible for those in whom ‘the peace of God’ rules (cf. Colossians 3:15). Such peace is a fruit of the ‘wisdom from above’ (cf. James 3:17-18). ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’ said Jesus (cf. Matthew 5:9).
ROMANS 12:19. “Not yourselves avenging, beloved, but give place to the wrath; for it has been written, ‘To Me vengeance! I will recompense, says the LORD’ (cf. Deuteronomy 32:35).” Notice that the Apostle calls his readers “beloved” because this is, after all, a call to agape love.
“THE wrath” to which we must give place is ‘the wrath of God’ (cf. Romans 1:18)! We are reminded, again, of the example of Jesus (cf. 1 Peter 2:23). Read Psalm 37:7-8.
ROMANS 12:20. Rather than pursuing vengeance, the Christian is encouraged to positive favourable action on behalf of their enemy (cf. Proverbs 25:21-22). This is all part of ‘loving your enemies’ (cf. Matthew 5:44). Thereby we might even shame him into a change of mind (i.e. repentance!)
ROMANS 12:21. “Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Evil overcomes us when we curse rather than bless (cf. Romans 12:14); recompense evil for evil (ROMANS 12:17); and avenge ourselves (ROMANS 12:19). We overcome evil with good by blessing our persecutors (ROMANS 12:14); when we strive to exhibit good before all men (ROMANS 12:17); and when we love and perform favourable action on behalf of our enemy (ROMANS 12:20).
D). A LEPER AND A CENTURION.
Matthew 8:1-13.
At the beginning of the Sermon of the Mount Jesus had been ‘set’ and ‘His disciples came unto Him’ (cf. Matthew 5:1). At the end of the Sermon we were told of the other people who had been listening in, how they had been amazed at His teaching: ‘For He taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes’ (cf. Matthew 7:28-29).
MATTHEW 8:1. So now Jesus “came down from the mountain,” effectively reaching down to those who were outside the inner circle of disciples so that, if they were willing, He could draw some of them to Himself also.
And ‘great multitudes followed Him.’ Whether they were sincere seekers after righteousness, or simply curious; or needing healing like the leper - He was there for them anyway.
MATTHEW 8:2-4. Coming Down the Mountain: The Proactive Faith of the Leper.
(Matthew 8:2). Behold! The untouchable comes away from the margins of society, and worships the Lord. The leper has faith in Jesus’ ability to heal him, and submits to His will.
(Matthew 8:3). Jesus touches the leper! Jesus is willing, and speaks the word. The transformation is immediate.
(Matthew 8:4). There is a time to be silent (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:7). Jesus does not court popularity, but gives the former leper instructions in accordance with the ceremonial law of the time. A clean bill of health is a testimony to the doctors that Jesus’ has healed us.
Leprosy is often used as a figure for sin. Jesus proved His willingness to cleanse us from our sin by pouring forth the fountain of His life’s blood on the Cross of Calvary. When we are made right with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, the next step is initiation into the believing community.
MATTHEW 8:5-13. Capernaum: The Great Faith of the Centurion.
(Matthew 8:5). Matthew’s Gospel has much about it that highlights the fact that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. Yet the second healing of the New Testament involved a Gentile. A Roman centurion, in an act of true submissive prayer, brought his situation to Jesus and laid it as His feet.
(Matthew 8:6). The centurion told Jesus of his servant’s torment. It is not for us to tell Jesus how and when He should act, but merely to lay out our problems before Him. This outsider stated his case, but made no demands.
(Matthew 8:7). Again Jesus expressed His willingness. He would come to the centurion’s home. Jesus would heal the servant.
(Matthew 8:8). The centurion recognised his own unworthiness, and submitted to Jesus’ authority. One word from Jesus would suffice.
(Matthew 8:9). This experienced soldier understood Jesus’ commission in light of his own.
(Matthew 8:10). Jesus marvelled at the man’s great faith. He marvelled, too, that he did not find such faith in Israel, which was the Church of the day. Sometimes those who are settled back on their lees, complacent in spirit, need to learn from those in the margins.
I wrote this verse in the front cover of my copy of George Muller’s biography. Like all believers, Mr Muller believed God for the saving of his own soul, and that of others. Brother George trusted Jesus for everything from his first sixpence to the building of the orphanage in Bristol, England, which bore his name.
(Matthew 8:11). East and west join Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (cf. Revelation 7:9). The Gentiles are grafted in whilst, for the time being, Israel is broken from her root (cf. Romans 11:12-24).
(Matthew 8:12). Some people who enjoy outward blessings will be cast out, at last, into hell.
(Matthew 8:13). Jesus dismissed the centurion. That man had one last test of his faith: he had to stay in belief all the way home. When he got home and enquired how things were going with his servant he would be told that there had been a remarkable recovery, a miraculous healing no less, at the very moment that Jesus had spoken the word (cf. John 4:46-53).