The king rose in the night and said… “The Syrians… know that we are hungry. Therefore they have gone out of the camp to hide… thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive.’” – 2 Kings 7:12
Just one day earlier, the king had heard the Word of God from the prophet Elisha: “Tomorrow… a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel” (7:1). But when the king hears the news that the Syrian camp has been abandoned, he doesn’t believe it. He thinks it is a trick.
God scattered the Syrian army, He supplied the food that He had promised, and He overcame the barriers that stood in the way of the people receiving what He had provided.
The first barrier was the selfishness of the lepers. They were feasting while others were dying until God awakened their conscience: “We are not doing right” (7:9).
The second barrier was the unbelief of the king. Notice how this barrier was overcome: A servant urged the king to send out horsemen to see if what the lepers said was true. The king agreed to investigate, saying, “Go and see” (7:14). The king did not believe the Word of God, but he allowed the possibility that it might be true.
That is the great invitation of the Bible: “Come and see” (John 1:46). Take an honest look at Jesus’ claims. Be open-minded enough to allow the possibility that what God said in the Bible might be true. “What do you have to lose?” This was the argument of the servant. The king said, “Go and see,” and these words led to the salvation of an entire city.
This was a day of good news for the king and his people. God delivered on what He had promised.
Are there any barriers today that might be keeping you from taking an open-minded look at the claims of Jesus? Come and see!
