11. Open My Eyes That I May See

Posted on Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting, Audio Sermons 2016 Tagged with , , , ,

 

Hymns: Pressing On! 337 Never Give Up 347 Under the Care of My God, the Almighty 

Life of Elisha

(Serving Our Faithful God)

– Open My Eyes, That I May See

2 Kings 6:8-23

8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? 12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. 13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. 14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. 15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. 20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? 22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. 23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

 

OUTLINE

  • God’s Power (v8-12)
  • God’s Presence (v13-23)

 

INTRODUCTION

When Jesus sent His twelve disciples to preach the gospel, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Matthew 10:1). He also warned them, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

Jesus described His disciples as sheep highlighting the vulnerabilities of the sheep in a predator-filled world where the gospel is to be given. Wolves viciously tear their prey – these defenseless sheep. The wolf is a terrifying predator to the sheep. It presents a picture of terror and ferocity, a picture of beastly cruelty without pity.

“Wolves” characterizes the world of men as being viciously wicked because it is filled with the propensity to sin. The combination of the two comparisons produces the idea of the helplessness of the apostles among wicked men. As sheep, they have no defense against wolves. The unbelieving world itself is like a wolf in its hostilities to the disciples of Jesus. By the way, in which our Lord Himself was betrayed, mocked, misjudged, unjustly tortured and finally crucified, died. We must have no illusion that the ministry of the gospel is a bed of roses.

However, as we read the gospels, we see the presence and power of God with His servants to do exploits. Souls were saved, healing wrought, men and women were directed to a personal knowledge of the living and true God. Peace and joy come to their hearts. The disciples’ eyes were opened to see and experience the presence and power of God energizing and blessing their service in his harvest of souls. God was with them to help all along the way. Jesus said to us, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth, Go ye into all the world, teach all nations…Lo, I am with you alway – all the way.” We are assured that we are going with Christ’s Authority and following Christ’s Building Plan and blessed with Christ’s Company.

When God sent Elisha as His messenger to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the time of the divided kingdom, He likewise manifested His presence and power to help Elisha in discharging his prophetic ministry. We want us to catch a glimpse of the spiritual power that is with God’s servants to help them in their service as Jesus said well, “the church that is built upon Christ the Rock, will be triumphant, the gates of hell shall not prevail it.”

The Lord opened our spiritual eyes to behold the glory of God undergirding His servants so that we may be encouraged and strengthened to press on with our service for God.

Two thoughts:

  • God’s Power (v8-12)
  • God’s Presence (v13-23)

(1) God’s Power (v8-12)

8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.

Syria was at war with the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

The map above shows us the territorial superiority of Syria over Israel. It is many times larger than Israel. This account took place before the healing Naaman, the Syrian General while Ben-hadad I was still king of Syria (2 Kings 6:24).

The skirmishes between the two countries began when Syria conducted a series of raiding expeditions against the Eastern borders of Israel. Dr. John Whitcomb observed well, “When these were all systematically and mysteriously blocked, a servant of Ben-hadad suggested that Elisha was responsible) 2 Kings 6:12. Whereupon, the king sent an entire army, complete with chariots to capture Elisha but an entire Syrian army was captured alive by Elisha the prophet.

9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.

God gave Elisha surpassing wisdom to read the enemies strategies and game plan and thwart their plans time and again.

Hannah, Samuel’s mother, was barren and she went to the house of God to cry out to God for help. The Lord heard her prayer and gave her a male child. This was a prayer of praise to the God of Israel as the all-wise God!

1 Samuel 2:1-4 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

Solomon in the proverbs extols his readers to seek godly wisdom to order their lives:

Proverbs 3:13-26 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

God’s surpassing wisdom was with His prophet Elisha giving advice to the king of Israel thus thwarting all the advances of the enemy. Although not all Israel is Israel there are remnants of God’s people in Israel whom God sought to protect. You recall last week we saw how the school of prophets in Israel was growing in its ministry and influence requiring more accommodation.

11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? 12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

There was no explanation that could be offered to the king of Syria how the Israel is always one step ahead of his army. He was told that it was Elisha supplying the intelligence to the king of Israel each time. God endowed his prophet with special wisdom to do His will.

God endowed Daniel and his three friends, captives in Babylon, with surpassing wisdom to be an influence to the living and true God of Israel. Daniel was able to interpret the king’s dream, amazing power.

God also endowed Joseph, the son of Jacob, who was sold by his brother to Egypt to have the special wisdom to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and he was placed by God manage the grave famine that came upon the land saving his family during those grievous years. All to God’s glory to fulfill His redemption plan for all mankind.

As God’s people pray, He endows them with His wisdom how they can reach out to different people with His Word. We produce different types of tracts that are tailored to reach different people addressing their special concerns. God grant us wisdom to reach out to this generation of people.

 

(2) God’s Presence (v13-23)

13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.

 The enemy was very angry that Elisha thwarted their good plan time and again. Their strategy was to take down God’s prophet.

 14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. 15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

 A great army was sent by the Syrian king to kill Elisha. It was a most precarious situation. The servant saw the enemy laying siege over the city of Dothan. The chariots are modern day tanks. Against civilians, they are destructive weapons that can take down the city in no times.

 I was watching a documentary of how several tanks were used to take down a town. The civilians were so helpless. They were defenseless against the armour of these tanks and their canons. The building collapsed as the tanks bombarded the town. It was a fearful situation.

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Elisha was the man on God’s mission. God protected him. He sent his angelic hosts to protect Elisha and the inhabitants of the city. How real was that? Elisha singlehandedly defeated the entire army.

When we serve God, realize that God is with you to protect you. This is His promise that His presence will go with you as you go with the gospel and His authority is with you to do exploits as you yield to His leading to do His will.

 18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. 20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

Elisha prayed and God smote the entire army with blindness. And he led them away from the city to Samaria where resided Israel’s main army. When they had their sight back, they realized that they were surrounded by the Israelite army. One man with God is an army indeed!

 2 Timothy 3:10-14 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

The Apostle Paul in his last letter to Timothy shared how presence and power saw him through all his missionary journeys. He warned Timothy to expect persecution, the enemies of Christ will be very active. But God will be with Timothy as he served. The Apostle Paul gave Timothy the assurance of God’s protective care upon him.

21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? 22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. 23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

 Proverbs 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

 Elisha saw that no harm would come to his enemies. He was wise as a servant but harmless as a dove. He did not kill innocent lives but sent the enemy home. It was a testimony that perchance they will come to serve the God of Israel.

As Jesus taught:

Matthew 5:44-45 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

 

CONCLUSION

  • God’s Power (v8-12)
  • God’s Presence (v13-23)

May God strengthen our service for His name’s sake! Amen.