Great Battles of the
Bible Elisha the Tender Warrior
By Michael
K. Farrar, O.D.
© July 20,
2005
In many
of the battles of the Bible God used men of God to achieve remarkable
victories. These men were not special in any way other than the fact that they
had faith in God and trusted that He would carry them through whatever they
would face. Elisha was such a man and in 2 Kings 6:6-23 we find conflict and
confrontation as well as deception and danger. Lets examine this portion of
scripture and see how God worked through Elisha.
Evil
Plans
“8 Now the king of Aram (Syria) was at war with Israel.
After conferring with his officers, he said, ‘I will set up my camp in such and
such a place.’”
Here we see
Aram setting plans for where to place the camp for his army so that it would
best suit his battle tactics. Battles have been won or lost in history on the
ability of any armed force to conceal their location and movements. God
revealed information to His servant and Elisha gains knowledge of Aram’s
whereabouts through divine revelation.
Evil
Plans Revealed
“9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel:
"Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down
there."
10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by
the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his
guard in such places.”
Here we see
an example of God’s omnipotence. He knows all things about all people. You
cannot be secretive about your actions when it comes to the Lord God Almighty.
Just as God knew where Aram had placed his army, God knows the plans you make,
each and every one of them. God revealed the army’s location to Elisha so he
could warn the king of Israel. God may reveal your plans if it will prevent you
or others being harmed. God may reveal your secret actions if they revolve
around sin or disobedience. God is not a bearded grandfather in the heavens who
sits in His rocking chair watching events on earth take place. He involves
Himself in His creation. God revealed the plans of Aram to protect Israel. This
situation also informs us that when we are as close to God as Elisha was, God
may reveal information to us at times to help us serve Him and others. God
works dramatically in the Believer’s life to bring about His will and good for
those who follow Him.
Revenge
from the Evil King
“11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers
and demanded of them, ‘Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the
king of Israel?’
12 ‘None of us, my lord the king,’ said one of his officers,
‘but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very
words you speak in your bedroom.’
13 ‘Go, find out where he is,’ the king ordered, ‘so I can
send men and capture him.’ The report came back: ‘He is in Dothan.’
14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there
(Possibly as much as 50,000 men). They went by night and surrounded the city.”
Elisha’s
actions of revealing the location of Aram’s army enraged the evil King. He
wanted Elisha to die. If he could remove Elisha, then possibly he could
continue his plans for victory in a war against Israel. Of course when you
think about it, this was a really dumb thing to do. When you fight against
God’s people you fight against God. Surely Aram should have known that if
Elisha knew where the enemy’s army was, he would know that Aram was sending in
his special forces to abduct Elisha. Those that fight against God, His people
and His prophets know not what they do. While the force Aram sent to take care
of Elisha was massive, God can work greater miracles through a humble man of
God.
The Response of the Man of God
“15 ‘Oh, my lord, what shall we do?’ the servant asked.
16 ‘Don't be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are
with us are more than those who are with them.’
When the Elisha and his servant
got up early the next morning they observed that an army with horses and
chariots had surrounded the city. Elisha’s servant panics, but Elisha remains
calm and trusting in the Lord. We have this same encouragement in Romans
8:31-32 where it says, “What, then,
shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Psalms 3:6 states, “I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against
me on every side.” Psalms 27:3
brings comfort as well “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.”
Those strong in faith assure those
who are weak that God will protect them. Encouragement is one of the best
things we can do for other believers in times of struggle and danger.
Revealed Support and Power
“17 And Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may
see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills
full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
Elisha had
eyes of faith and could see the provision of God for protection. He prayed that
his servant would also see this magnificent sight and the servant’s eyes were
opened to see God’s protection surrounding them. This revelation is not just of
a Heavenly host in the form of an army but it also burns with a fire that is a
symbol of judgment on the King Aram.
Restriction
of Sight
“18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the
LORD, ‘Strike these people with blindness.’ So he struck them with blindness,
as Elisha had asked.”
It is
interesting that Elisha did not call upon God to use the Chariots of fire to
destroy Aram’s army but rather, tender warrior that he was, called upon God to
strike the army with blindness. Here we see the word given us in James 5:16 in
practice, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” God
grants his prayer and blinds Aram’s mighty army. So often we seek revenge
against others and wish them harm for what they intended to do to us. Mercy is
always the better path and we must leave the judgment and punishment up to God
whenever possible.
A
Godly Practical Joke
“19 Elisha told them, ‘This is not the road and this is not
the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.’ And
he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, ‘LORD, open the
eyes of these men so they can see.’ Then the LORD opened their eyes and they
looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.”
Elisha must
have loved a good laugh. Here we see he misleads the blind army and leads them
into the hands of Israel. Being blind they did not know the man they trusted to
lead them to Elisha, was actually Elisha himself. Elisha in his mercy also led
them into a trap. Elisha asks God to give them their sight back and God’s
grants the prayer request. Oh to be a fly on one of the enemy’s camels to see
the expression on the soldier’s faces as they now perceived they were in the
enemy’s camp.
Mercy
for the Enemy
“21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha,
‘Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?’
22 ‘Do not kill them,’ he answered. ‘Would you kill men you
have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so
that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.’
23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had
finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their
master.”
Again
Elisha’s tenderness shines through the conflict as we see him advising the king
of Israel to show his enemy mercy. They could easily have slaughtered the
entire army, but instead chose to send a different message, a message of peace.
Winning
Favor with Honey
“So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory.”
Elisha shows
us here that the methods of a righteous man of God are one of trusting God for
direction and provision as well as the strength and courage to show mercy to
those who would do harm. It takes great strength and self-control to avoid
revenge, to refuse to retaliate, to stop harmful confrontation by showing love
and mercy. Are you an Elisha? Who is your enemy?