2 Kings 6:8-23
A DAILY DISCIPLINE
The dictionary provides several definitions for discipline. The first is punishment, but the dictionary’s second definition is richer: Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.
Discipline, in other words, is training in virtue and self-control. If we say that someone is a disciplined person, we mean he is self-controlled. How important is self-control? Proverbs 25:28 says: Proverbs 25:28 - He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
A strong, safe, well-guarded city in biblical times had high, thick walls to thwart invaders. Enemies had to camp in the vulnerable open and send troops rushing toward the gates with battering rams. The city’s defensive forces could shoot well-aimed arrows and repulse the enemy. The population felt safe, because the walls were unassailable.
But if the walls collapsed like those of Jericho, the enemy could waltz right in, rape the women, loot the stores, kill the men, massacre the children, and burn the town.
Proverbs 25 says that a person’s self-discipline is his defense in life. The devil can’t touch a self-controlled, well-disciplined person. But if we’re undisciplined, prone to indulge our appetites, doing what we feel like doing, exercising little self-control, then Satan doesn’t even have to fire a shot. He can stroll into our lives and do whatever he wishes. That’s why Peter wrote: Be self-controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. Morgan, R. J. 2000. Nelson's complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed.) . Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville
Tonight through an incident in the life of Elijah, we want to discuss some things that should be part of your daily discipline. They should help you in your living a life that is well pleasing to the Lord.
SPEAK GOD'S TRUTH Vss. 8-10
Vs. 8 - Whatever peace there was when Naaman visited Elisha in Chapter 5 is now over.
The King of Syria was launching surprise raids on Israel.
He would lay his plans very carefully and secretly with his staff.
Vs. 9 - The man of God did the warning.
He would warn the King of Israel as to exactly where the King of Syria was going to strike.
How important it is to be a man or woman of God.
In order to be of use to others, we must first be Godly and in touch with God.
Vs. 10 - On several occasions the King of Israel was prepared for the attack of Syria. There was no surprise at all! This happened several times.
It is good for us to note that God is never surprised at our enemies’ plans or activities. He always knows what's going to happen in advance!
No wonder we should stay close to Him. When we do, we will be most prepared for the enemy!
Elisha was speaking God's truth.
In what ways are we expected to speak God's truth?
1. Witnessing
1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Romans 10:13-15 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
2. Teaching
Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2 Timothy 2:2 - And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
1 Timothy 3:2 - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1 Timothy 4:13 - Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Titus 2:3-5 - The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; [4] That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
3. Restoring
Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
4. Church Discipline
Matthew 18:15-17 - Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
5. Warning
Ezekiel 3:17 - Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
6. Exhorting
Hebrews 3:12-13 - Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. [13] But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
And when we speak God's truth, how should we do it?
Ephesians 4:14-15 - That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
SPEAK GOD'S TRUTH
EXPECT SATAN'S RETALIATION - Vss. 11-15
Vs. 11 - The King of Syria is very upset.
It appears to him that someone in his own midst is a traitor, a spy! We can't blame him, can we?
Vs. 12 - The servants knew the problem.
I think this was an exaggeration, but the basic truth was still there. Elisha, God's prophet was responsible.
Vs. 13 - So the King of Syria sends out spies.
They are to locate him, so the king can catch him. I don't think that finding Elisha was hard at all.
Vs. 14 - What was the flaw in this King's plan?
If Elisha always knew the King of Syria's plans, what makes the King think that he can outwit Elisha now?
This king was not the first, nor the last to try and get the best of, or outwit God. I'll name a situation or a person (From Pulpit Commentary), and you tell me how someone was trying to outwit God, and how God outwitted them.
Tower of Babel. - God confounded their languages.
Isaac and his Son Esau - blessing to go to Esau - outsmarted by Jacob and Rebecca
Pharaoh
Jonah
Herod
We must realize that when God uses us to accomplish something, Satan will try to retaliate.
2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
John 15:18-21 - If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. [20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
SPEAK GOD'S TRUTH
EXPECT SATAN'S RETALIATION
TRUST IN GOD'S PROTECTION Vss. 15-20
Vs. 15 - Is it easy for us to have a "panic attack" Why?
Vs. 16 - Does God give us this message of "fear not" very often in Scripture? Where are some other places?
Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage: be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.
Psalm 3:6 - I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Psalm 27:1
Psalm 56:3 - What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalm 56:11 - IN GOD I HAVE PUT MY TRUST, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID WHAT MAN CAN DO UNTO ME.
Isaiah 41:10
Luke 12:32 - FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK; FOR IT IS YOUR FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM.
John 6:20 - BUT HE SAID UNTO THEM, IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID.
Vs. 17 - This servant needed his eyes opened. They were opened and he saw just how much heavenly support there was.
Do we ever need our spiritual eyes opened?
How does God open our eyes when we need them opened?
The encouragement of another.
The word of God.
Prayer.
His Holy Spirit.
Vs. 18 - Elisha prays. Let us not forget how important prayer is when Satan attacks.
"Pray without ceasing."
Colossians 4:2 - CONTINUE IN PRAYER, AND WATCH IN THE SAME WITH THANKSGIVING.
I do not think that blindness here was total blindness. But they were blind as to who Elisha was, and that they were headed right for the enemy's capital city of Samaria.
Vs. 19 - Elisha now leads them right into the city of Samaria.
Vs. 20 - Now they are in the capital city, and surrounded totally by the enemy!
The servant had nothing to fear.
He only needed to trust in God's protection.
Proverbs 3:5-6 should be daily by-words for us as Christians.
SPEAK GOD'S TRUTH
EXPECT SATAN'S RETALIATION
TRUST IN GOD'S PROTECTION
ACT AS GOD'S REPRESENTATIVE Vss. 21-23
Vs. 21 - What do you think the King's voice sounded like? I think that he was ecstatic and eager.
Vs. 22 - Evidently Joram normally would not have slain those who were taken prisoner. He was not to do so now.
However, Elisha wanted him to go a step further.
He wanted the king to feed his prisoners, and then send them in peace to their masters.
Vs. 23 - This is exactly what was done.
They were fed and set free.
The raiding armies stopped for a time after this.
The reason was the custom of the day. When a person fed you, you were under a covenant of peace. It would not have been right in the Syrians thinking to continue the raids.
Elisha stopped with kindness that which would have continued or escalated if these enemy soldiers had been killed.
There of course is a lesson here for us.
There is more than one way to witness. And one of the ways we witness or act as God's representatives is when we return good for evil.
Matthew 7:12 - Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Romans 12:17-21 - Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. [18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
SPEAK GOD'S TRUTH
EXPECT SATAN'S RETALIATION
TRUST IN GOD'S PROTECTION
ACT AS GOD'S REPRESENTATIVE
HOPE IN GOD'S DELIVERANCE Vs. 23
The bottom line is this.
Elisha trusted in and obeyed his God.
In the end he and Israel was delivered.
We all too often place our hope, our trust in others or in things. May we remember that God is always our hope!
SPEAK GOD'S TRUTH
EXPECT SATAN'S RETALIATION
TRUST IN GOD'S PROTECTION
ACT AS GOD'S REPRESENTATIVE
HOPE IN GOD'S DELIVERANCE