ELISHA SERIES: FROM FAMINE TO FEAST

The scriptures revealed Israel had disobeyed God’s statutes, laws, and commandments for years, and God had been long-suffering and merciful toward them. However, in chapters six and seven of 2 Kings, they experienced His judgment and punishment for their actions. He told them in Leviticus 26:27-29, “And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me;Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. God permitted Israel to experience a dreadful famine to the point they became cannibals, and then in His mercy, He brought about a miraculous change, and they enjoyed a feast.

In 2 Kings 5, Elisha came to the aid of Joram, king of Israel, when the king of Syria sent Naaman, the leper, to him to be healed. In Kings 6, Elisha helped save Israel numerous times from the attack of the Syrian army by revealing to the king of Israel the enemy’s plans of attack. Despite Elisha’s continuous benevolence to the king and Israel, as seen in these chapters, the king of Israel sought to execute Elisha when Israel experienced a famine caused by the Syrians. Thankfully, when the executioner arrived at Elisha’s home under Elisha’s direction, the elders in the house with him kept the executioner from entering.

Exasperated, the king followed the executioner to Elisha’s home, and while the king and executioner remained outside, Elisha gave a prophetic word about the famine ending the next day. He said, “Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” In response, the king’s captain voiced his doubts about this event occurring, and Elisha told him he would see it but would not partake of the food.

Four hungry leprous men outside the city gate said, “If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.” To this end, at twilight, they went to the camp of the Syrians and found it deserted. God had allowed the Syrian soldiers to become scared when they heard the sound of chariots, horses, and a massive coalition army. Thinking they were about to be slaughtered, the army fled, leaving all their belongings behind.

 After eating and drinking several times, the lepers carried silver, gold, and clothes and hid them. Then they said to one another, “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household,” so they went to the porter of the city and told him of there findings and he, in turn, told the king’s servants.

When the king heard the report, he thought the Syrians schemed to deceive them, making them leave the city and go to the Syrian camp, which would allow the Syrians to get into Samaria unharmed. A servant persuaded the king to send some men to the Syrian camp to investigate. The men found the lepers’ information was true, and they sent and told the king. The king appointed the captain, who doubted Elisha’s word, to be in charge of the city gate as the people went to the Syrian camp. Consequently, he died in the stampede of the people running to get the Syrians’ spoils, fulfilling Elisha’s words.  

Since I am only summarizing 2 Kings 7, I recommend you read the chapter to get the details. As I’ve done in the past, I conclude this blog with my thoughts and nuggets on this chapter, and they are:

• People often forget how you assisted them in their time of need.
• People seek to blame others for their problems.
• Stressful conditions can cause someone to make poor decisions. 
• Unbelievers have difficulty believing a Word from God.
• Just because you can’t see a way being made does not mean it won’t happen.
• Don’t limit God to what you can see.
• When necessary, God can make men hear that which does not exist.
• Fright can lead to flight.
• God can use the most unlikely persons to bring about deliverance.
• Self-preservation can push you beyond your fears.
• People who don’t want to be seen will travel in the dark.
• Be willing to share the good news with those that need to hear it.
• When you are untrustworthy, it is difficult to trust others.
• God can make your enemy’s fortune yours.
• Your demise may be the result of your unbelief
• God is continually merciful to the undeserving.
• God supplies all of our needs.
• With Divine intervention, you can go from a famine to a feast within twenty-four hours.