sf1030 - Why Sit We Here Until We Die (2 Kings 7 3-10)

2 Kings 7:3-10

Introduction

The Aramean (Syrian) Army, led by Ben-Hadad, is waging a siege, a blockade against the city of Samaria.  Cut off from all sources of provisions, the Jewish city is suffering and things are getting desperate.  The enemy outside the walls of the city has ample provisions and they’re prepared to continue their patient siege till the Jews either surrender or die of starvation. 

Things had become absolutely hopeless and desperate A donkey’s head is sold for 80 shekels of silver and dove dung sold for 5 shekels of silver.  It had gotten so bad that mothers were killing there children so that they would have something to eat.  King Jehoram, is seen walking along the walls of the doomed city, weeping in utter despair.

But all is not lost.  Elisha the prophet has assured the king that the famine will end, and that food will be so plenteous that bargain prices will result (7:1).  The royal officer of the king cynically mocks Elisha, doubting the power of God.  He thinks even God cannot rescue the city, that the situation is hopeless (7:2). 

Meanwhile, outside the city walls another drama is unfolding.  The enemy has been routed; some scholars believe an army of angels caused them to retreat so swiftly…but only a few lepers know what has happened. 

In the passage, we see set forth the hopeless condition of sinful man, God’s incredible mercy, and the believer’s responsibility.

1A.      The Hopeless Condition of Man (7:3)

1B.      The separation

Leprosy separated them from God

They could not enter the Temple to worship. They could have no contact with their family members or friends.

Sin separates sinners from God

Isaiah 59:2 (NASB) But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

Habakkuk 1:13 (NASB) Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor

Isaiah 64:6 (NASB) For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment…

God hates sinners (Psalm 5:5; 11:5)

2B.      The condemnation

Leprosy meant certain death

Sin means certain death

Ezekiel 18:4 (NASB)…The soul who sins will die.

Romans 6:23 (NASB) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Not all men have leprosy but all men are sinners (Romans 3:23)

3B.      The question – “Why do we sit here until we die?”

2A       The Incredible Mercy of God (7:4-8)

1B.      God spared their lives (7:4)

No reason is given for the survival of the lepers, other than God had chosen to save them.  God’s judgment on Israel was just and these lepers deserved to be judged as well.

Why are you alive?

Ø      Simply because God has chosen to spare your life.

Ø      It is only God’s mercy that has kept you alive and out of Hell.

2B.      God brought them to salvation (7:5-7)

Everything they needed for life was only a few steps away.  It had been there all along.  But they could not have it until God moved!

The lepers were brought to the point of desperation. They resolved to surrender to the enemy.  Death had already stared them in the face and they had nothing to lose by going over to the Syrians.

The same is true for the sinner

Ø      The Bible urges us to throw ourselves on God’s mercy. The sacrifice of Christ allows God to be merciful.

Ø      “Flee God’s wrath, cling to His mercy.”  (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7)

Ø      Blessed are they who surrender to the Lord, who call on Him for mercy.

3B.      God surprised them by His Grace! (7:8)

Ephesians 3:20 (NASB) Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

3A.      The Undeniable Responsibility of Believers (7:9)

1B.      The lepers’ responsibility

The lepers were forced to live outside the city gate; they were outcasts, kept apart from the city; and they were half-dead, from hunger and their disease. They approach the Syrian’s encampment cautiously, expecting to be challenged—and to their surprise they discover the camp is deserted.

They do what we would have done— initially, they feast upon the abandoned spoils of war…but then they realize that a city is starving.

They see it as their duty to inform the city that the enemy has left.

Ultimately God would be glorified for what He had done!

2B.      The believer’s responsibility

Evangelism has been defined as “one beggar telling another where he found bread.”

People face spiritual death every day.

Three kinds of believers

Ø      Sitters (7:3-4)

Sitters exist because church is all about us.

Ø      Getters (7:5-8)\

Getters have head knowledge but no heart passion.

Ø      Goers and Tellers (7:9-10)

Do we love Christ enough to go to those who should be worshiping Him and call them to repentance and faith?

Application

Lost Friend

“Why sit you here until you die?”

Ø      Cry out to God for mercy.

Ø      Flee your sin and sinfulness and run to God.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NASB) 2 for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION"—

Christian Brother

“Why sit you here until they die?”

Ø      If you were to count all the lost people on earth one second at a time it would take 37 years to complete.

Ø      There are 613 people groups of 1000 people or more that no one is trying to reach.