The Book of Second kings

Chapter 6b

[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.

What Shall We do? 2 Kings 6:8-23 Eph 4:11-18

1) Force that is Discerned 8-14

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Ps 34:7

2 K 6:1-7 The lost axe head of God’s power has been restored and then comes warfare

The king of Syria makes war against Israel.

Israel had granted a great favor in the healing & salvation of Naaman (captain of Syrias host)

The king of Syria worshiped Rimmon (the Syrian god of war 2K5:18)

The King of Syria said “in such and such a place shall be my camp”

Plans were laid in counsel. The king of Syria was going to launch an unexpected, surprise attack

There is an Early Detection System

The man of God Elisha, warned the king Of Israel when & where the surprise attack would happen

Our God knows all things “we are not ignorant of the devils devices”

The king of Israel heeded the warning and was twice spared.

The king of Syria wants to know who is for Israel? Who is the double agent? Who is the traitor?

Someone reports that the man of God Elisha has been giving warning

The king of Syria turns and decides to subdue Israel by silencing the man of God

* The value of the man of God in the midst of the pressures of this world *

A great host, horses and chariots are sent to Dothan at night to surround the city & cause trouble

The devils objective is to cause division, doubt, dissension and discouragement

[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.

2) Fear to be Dispelled 15-17

A. The Cause of Fear

We are fearful about many things.

Facing the enemy, Elisha’s servant said “Alas my master! How shall we do?”

He was paralyzed by fear. He was overcome by what he saw and felt. The sound of defeat

His present circumstances caused him to forget God’s promises & power. Dismiss Gods protection

Fear is meditating upon the lies of the devil. We don’t live in fear but in faith

B. The Cure for Fear

1- God’s Word “Fear Not” 366 times we are exhorted to fear not (1 time for each day of the yr)

Elisha was peaceful & calm, but his servant was in a panic

The man of faith acknowledges God has not abandoned us

2- God’s Guardians “They that be with us are more....”

Elisha prayed that his servant could have his eyes opened to see (Blind to the things of God)

Except a man be born again He cannot SEE the kingdom of God

Where there is no vision the people perish

A. He saw the Lord was STILL in control...... PEACE

B. He saw a vision of the armed forces of heaven, surrounding them...Spiritual Resources

God is watching over you! God surrounds, protects, strengthens and assists you

C. He saw that God still hears & answers prayer...... RELY

D. He saw that God still had power to protect and provide..........TRUST

The servants fear was dispelled and driven away

Ps 27:3 though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident

[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.

3) Favor to be Displayed 18-23

Just as Elisha prayed and his servants eyes were opened, he prayed that the enemy’s eyes would be blind

He led them into the midst of Israel and prayed their eyes would be opened

The king of Israel sought to kill them but Elisha extended kindness

“If thine enemy hunger give him bread”

“Love your enemies pray for those that despitefully use you

The Syrians partook of the provision and went away and came no more

Concl: Have you recognized the enemy? Has God revealed peace to you? Are you reflecting Gods grace?

There is sizeable pressure and great problems BUT God is watching over you.... Fear NOT

Heb 13:5 for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

The Prayer of Faith Opened His Eyes