Elisha: “Do You See What I See?”
Sermon Notes
Though written nine centuries before Christ, this passage speaks to us with utter relevance 30 centuries later. The apostle Paul prayed this phrase in his letter to the church at Ephesus; “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know ….” We need to have our eyes opened as never before. With Elisha, I pray; “O LORD, we pray, open our eyes that we may see” (2 Kings 6.17).
1. Even in rebellion, God keeps reaching out to His people (8-10).
The Bible teaches again and again that the LORD is full of compassion. Again and again He acts in mercy to call His people back to repentance and faithfulness. In these first verses He does that again. Through his prophet, Elisha, He sends regular military alerts to the king of Israel letting him know the enemy’s military strategy. He is so compassionate. Hear His call to repentance through His compassion.
2. You can anticipate opposition when you do God’s work (11-14).
Obviously, the king of Aram thinks there is a mole in his army. But that is not true; he discovers through his own reconnaissance that God Himself is directing Israel’s tactics. It’s interesting to me that he thinks he can win a battle against God. But I don’t think he is alone. Do you?
Another note is to remember that the enemy will not always back off. In fighting for and living for God’s causes, the enemy will attack. He did with Jesus, and he does with all God’s people. Like Elisha’s servant, do we fear, or are we confident with courage?
3. When the enemy comes, pray, and take your fear to God (15-17).
“Fear prevails when we don’t see the unseen.”
The enemy army surrounded the city. Elisha’s servant was taken captive by fear. But Elisha’s answer was true then, and it is true today. “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayer; …” (2 Kings 6.16,17). It reminds me of the words of John in his first epistle to the church; “greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world” (1 John 4.4).
4. God provided through prayer and blindness (18-19).
Note: God provided through the prayer of His servant. What if Elisha had not prayed? This reminds me again that prayer is the key to the great work of God. I think of Jesus again when He taught on prayer; “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (Luke 18.1).
5. In the midst of His protection, God offers compassion and salvation to the enemy and peace with Israel’s enemies (20-23).
It is significant to me that the drama ends on a note of deep compassion. Again, in response to Elisha’s prayer (does God do anything other than through prayer?), God shows compassion to Israel’s enemies. He protects them, He feeds them, He gives them safe passage back to their homes, and He gives Israel peace.
Do you see God at work in your life? Do you see His hand in everything? Are you grateful. We are surrounded by the work of God. The earth is ablaze with the glory of God.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1.20)
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world (Psalm 19.1-4).
In All Difficulties
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8.28).
But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say (Matthew 10.19).
Are you open to and seeking God’s work in your life?
Are you open to and seeking God’s work in your life through Christ?
Are you open to and seeking God’s work in your church and in the world around you?
This sermon brings to mind an old hymn whose title comes from our text this morning. Meditate on these words, written by Clara Scott, 1895.
Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wave notes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
By the way, Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached a great sermon on this passage. I encourage you to read it at: http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/2215.htm