By Brenda Cannon Henley
In my most recent column, I wrote about Elisha, who came into prominence after the translation of his mentor, Elijah. I said that when one takes the time to study the verses, and understand their meaning, the entire scene rivals the screenplay or script of a humorous interaction of characters and that some producer should grab it up and make millions.

When anyone tells me that Scripture isn’t interesting to read and study, I cannot help but to shake my head in wonder. There are some of the most interesting and compelling characters and scenes to take in than I could imagine being created.

The verse that grabbed my attention in recent study is Verse 16 of 2 Kings 6 – “Don’t be afraid for there are more on our side than on theirs.” Elisha said these words to a young worker he was mentoring. Elisha could envision by faith the multitude of angels God had on duty protecting his servants. The entire meaning of 2 Kings 6 can be explained to a willing student in this manner:

1. Elisha recovers the lost axe
2. Elisha reveals Ben-hadad’s plan
3. Elisha at Dothan
4. Elisha leads the blinded Syrians to Samaria
5. The Syrian siege of Samaria
6. The king’s messenger of vengeance and the untroubled prophet

Elisha, we learned in the last column, walked so closely with God, that he kept him on top of things and told him that the King of Syria had it in his heart to war against Israel, the people of God. We also learned Elisha was a man of faith and utter dependence on God.

The king of Syria was aggravated by the fact that Elisha seemed to know his plans ahead of time and could warn the king of Israel to stay out of his reaches. He had seen the Israelites saved not once, or twice, but several times due to the prophet’s counsel.

The Syrian king was told that Elisha was in Dothan and so he sent soldiers, horses, and chariots and surrounded the city. The prophet rose early and saw the great host. His servant was frightened and Elisha asked God to open his spiritual eyes so that he might see the protecting hand of God.

The Syrians came down to Elisha and the prophet prayed and asked God to smite them with blindness, and God did as he was asked. Elisha told them that they were in the wrong city and to follow him and he would take them to the man they sought. The prophet led them to Samaria and asked the Lord to then open their eyes.

The king of Israel asked if he should have his soldiers smite them, but the prophet wisely said no. Instead, he said to feed the enemy soldiers and to give them drink and let them return to their master. And, so, a great provision was set before them and they did eat.

And Verse 23 closes this part of the story by telling that the bands of Syrian troops came no more to the land of Israel.

Elisha’s faith was an example to others. It was real. It was strong. He believed God. Oh, how we need the same kind of faith and belief in today’s world. We, and our family members and friends, our neighbors, employees, and those with whom we interact every day, need a strong foundation on which to stand and build our lives.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at 409 781 8788, or
[email protected]

[May 24-2021]