Week 7 - Greater Things

Seeing Through Eyes of Faith

Embracing God's Perspective on Life

Historical Background:

2 Kings is a historical book in the Old Testament that continues the narrative of the kings of Israel and Judah.

The events in 2 Kings 6:8-22 occur during the ministry of the prophet Elisha, who succeeded Elijah.

This period is characterized by frequent conflicts between Israel and its neighboring kingdoms, including Aram (Syria).

Immediate Context:

In the preceding chapters, Elisha has performed various miracles, demonstrating God's power and protection over Israel.

The narrative in 2 Kings 6:8-22 follows a series of miracles and events that underscore Elisha's prophetic authority and God's ongoing intervention in Israel's affairs.

God’s Sovereignty and Knowledge:

2 Kings 6:8–14 (NIV)

Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”

The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 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.

This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

“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.”

“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.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

The king of Aram is waging war against Israel.

He sets up ambushes, but each time Elisha, through divine revelation, warns the king of Israel.

Frustrated, the king of Aram decides to capture Elisha, sending a large force to Dothan where Elisha is staying

One of the central messages in Elisha’s ministry is the sovereignty of God over all nations and events.

God’s knowledge is complete, as seen when He reveals the enemy’s plans to Elisha (2 Kings 6:12).

We are reminded that God's actions and provisions often exceed our immediate perception and understanding.

Faith vs Fear

2 Kings 6:15–17 (NIV)

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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's servant is terrified when he sees the Aramean army surrounding the city.

Elisha reassures him, asking God to open his eyes.

The servant then sees the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire, symbolizing divine protection.

The episode in 2 Kings 6:15-17, where Elisha prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened, underscores the theme of spiritual vision and faith.

The heavenly army revealed to the servant contrasts the visible, physical threat with the greater, invisible protection of God.

Mercy over Vengeance

2 Kings 6:18–22 (NIV)

As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

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.

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.

When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”

“Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those 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.”

Elisha prays for the Aramean soldiers to be struck with blindness.

He then leads them to Samaria, the capital of Israel.

Once there, their sight is restored, and the king of Israel asks Elisha if he should kill them.

Elisha instead instructs him to feed them and send them back, leading to a temporary peace.

Reflection and Prayer:

Spend dedicated time in prayer, asking God to open your spiritual eyes and reveal His perspective on your current situations, much like Elisha's prayer for his servant.

Aligning Goals with God's Purposes:

Evaluate your goals and aspirations to ensure they align with God’s kingdom purposes. Seek His guidance in making decisions that reflect His will.

By embracing this approach, we can navigate life's challenges with the assurance that God is with us, equipping us with everything we need to overcome and thrive according to His plan.

Elisha servant was no longer afraid when he saw Gods mighty Heavenly army.

Faith reveals that God is doing more for his people than we can ever realize through sight alone.

When you face difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember that spiritual resouces are there even if you can’t see them.

Look through the eyes of faith and let God show you his resouces.

If you don’t see God worfing in your life, the problem may be your spirityual eyesight, not God’s power.

Theological Significance

Divine Protection and Presence:

This passage powerfully illustrates God's protection over His servants.

The vision of the chariots of fire serves as a reminder of God's unseen presence and power, encouraging faith even in seemingly impossible situations.

Prophetic Authority:

Elisha's role in these events underscores the authority of the prophet in Israel.

His ability to receive divine revelations, perform miracles, and influence the king's decisions demonstrates that God's guidance is mediated through His prophets.

Mercy and Compassion:

Elisha's instruction to feed and release the Aramean soldiers, rather than kill them, reveals a significant theological principle: the power of mercy.

This act of compassion leads to a cessation of hostilities, highlighting the potential for peaceful resolution through grace and kindness.

Spiritual Insight:

The contrast between the physical sight of Elisha's servant and the spiritual vision granted by God underscores a recurring biblical theme: the importance of seeing beyond the physical world to perceive spiritual realities. This lesson encourages believers to trust in God's provision and presence, even when it is not immediately visible.

Application for Today

1. Trust in God's Unseen Protection:

Believers can draw comfort from the assurance that God surrounds and protects His people, even when circumstances seem dire.

2. Role of Prophetic Voices:

The passage invites reflection on the importance of heeding spiritual guidance and wisdom, often mediated through trusted leaders or scripture.

3. Responding with Grace:

Elisha's merciful treatment of the enemy soldiers models a Christ-like response to hostility, encouraging believers to seek peace and reconciliation.

4. Spiritual Perception:

The narrative challenges individuals to seek spiritual discernment, to look beyond immediate challenges, and to trust in God's greater plan and presence.

2 Kings 6:8–23 NIV

Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.” The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 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. This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” “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.” “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.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. 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. 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. When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?” “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those 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.” 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. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

Seeing Through Eyes of Faith:

Embracing God's Perspective on Life

Explanation:

2 Kings 6:8-23 provides a striking example of Elisha's ability to see from a heavenly perspective, enabling him to navigate challenging situations with courage and wisdom. This passage tells of how Elisha's servant was initially terrified upon seeing the enemy's army surrounding them. However, Elisha prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened, revealing a heavenly army of chariots of fire protecting them.

Argumentation:

The passage highlights the transformative power of faith in shaping our perspective on life.

By fixing our eyes on Jesus and trusting in His promises, we can overcome obstacles and adversity with unwavering confidence, knowing that God is working all things together for our good and His glory.

1. Elisha’s servant was no longer afraid when he saw God's mighty heavenly army (

2 Kings 6:17 NIV

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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.

- This illustrates how fear dissipates when we see our situations through the lens of divine reality.

2. Faith reveals that God is doing more for His people than we can ever realize through sight alone

2 Kings 6:16 NIV

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

- We are reminded that God's actions and provisions often exceed our immediate perception and understanding.

3. When you face difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember that spiritual resources are there even if you can’t see them

2 Kings 6:16–17 NIV

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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.

- This encourages us to trust in God's unseen support during challenging times.

4. Look through the eyes of faith and let God show you His resources. If you don’t see God working in your life, the problem may be your spiritual eyesight, not God’s power

2 Kings 6:17 NIV

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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.

- This calls us to develop our spiritual vision to recognize and trust in God's ongoing work in our lives.

Complementary Bible Verses:

1. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

- This verse defines faith and reinforces the idea that faith allows us to see beyond our physical reality to the promises of God.

2. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

- This verse encourages us to rely on our faith in God rather than our physical senses, aligning with the message of Elisha's story.

3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

- This assures us that God is always at work for our good, even when we can't see it.

4. Ephesians 1:18 - "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people."

- Paul's prayer for enlightenment echoes Elisha's prayer for his servant, emphasizing the need for spiritual vision.

5. Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

- God's promise of support and strength reassures us that He is always with us, just as He was with Elisha and his servant.

6. Psalm 34:7 - "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."

- This verse complements the vision of the heavenly army surrounding Elisha, emphasizing God's protection over His people.

Significance of Elisha:

Elisha's significance in the biblical narrative is underscored by his title “man of God,” used no less than 30 times in reference to him by various individuals including royalty, students, and villagers (e.g., 2 Kgs 4:7, 40; 8:7). This title designates a prophet or messenger of God and links Elisha to a line of tradition that includes Moses and Elijah. Elisha is portrayed as a man of high authority and functionality, endowed with a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, making him a key figure sought after by kings (2 Kgs 3:10-12).

**Application:**

This week, let's embrace the challenge of seeing through eyes of faith by setting aside time for reflection and prayer, asking God to give us His perspective on our circumstances and challenges. Let's also take practical steps to align our goals and aspirations with God's kingdom purposes, trusting that He will guide us every step of the way.

- **Reflection and Prayer:** Spend dedicated time in prayer, asking God to open your spiritual eyes and reveal His perspective on your current situations, much like Elisha's prayer for his servant.

- **Aligning Goals with God's Purposes:** Evaluate your goals and aspirations to ensure they align with God’s kingdom purposes. Seek His guidance in making decisions that reflect His will.

By embracing this approach, we can navigate life's challenges with the assurance that God is with us, equipping us with everything we need to overcome and thrive according to His plan.

Elisha servant was no longer afraid when he saw Gods mighty Heavenly army.

Faith reveals that God is doing more for his people than we can ever realize through sight alone.

When you face difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember that spiritual resouces are there even if you can’t see them.

Look through the eyes of faith and let God show you his resouces.

If you don’t see God worfing in your life, the problem may be your spirityual eyesight, not God’s power.