Latest / Bible in a Year with Jack Graham / Blind Soldiers - The Book of 2 Kings

Transcript

Blind Soldiers - The Book of 2 Kings · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Let us pray. Therefore sent he thither horses and chariots
• 0:06
  Speaker 1: and a great host, and they came by night and
• 0:09
  Speaker 1: compassed the city about. 2 Kings 6.14 As I stand
• 0:16
  Speaker 1: in full confidence, I will not waver nor be afraid
• 0:21
  Speaker 1: when Satan tries to bring enemies to the doorstep of
• 0:23
  Speaker 1: my life to snuff out the flame of my calling.
• 0:28
  Speaker 1: when the numbers of them seem to outnumber me, I
• 0:32
  Speaker 1: will look through the eyes of my faith and remember
• 0:35
  Speaker 1: that the army of the Lord is on my side
• 0:38
  Speaker 1: with angels and chariots of fire ready to battle Satan
• 0:42
  Speaker 1: and his spirits on my behalf. Therefore, I will continue
• 0:48
  Speaker 1: to walk boldly and confront them as Elisha did, knowing
• 0:53
  Speaker 1: that because you are on my side, no harm can
• 0:56
  Speaker 1: overtake me. When others choose war, I will choose peace
• 1:02
  Speaker 1: because I know you will do more in peace than
• 1:06
  Speaker 1: I ever could fighting on my behalf. Through 2 Kings 6,
• 1:11
  Speaker 1: I can see and validate this truth for my life.
• 1:16
  Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for making prayer a
• 1:23
  Speaker 1: priority in your day. To learn more about the Bible,
• 1:27
  Speaker 1: Stay tuned for today's story, brought to you by BibleInAYear.com.
• 1:40
  Speaker 2: Blind soldiers. In our last story, we learn of Naaman's
• 1:44
  Speaker 2: newfound love for God and desire to bless the people
• 1:47
  Speaker 2: of God. However, Elisha's servant Gehazi's heart changes for the worst.
• 1:53
  Speaker 2: as he descends into a cycle of greed and treachery.
• 1:57
  Speaker 2: Now we learn of the Aramean army seeking the head
• 2:01
  Speaker 2: of Elisha. The prophet would find himself surrounded by men
• 2:05
  Speaker 2: wanting to spill his blood. Yet even in the most
• 2:08
  Speaker 2: dangerous circumstances, Elisha was able to stand in confidence, for
• 2:13
  Speaker 2: God would provide a way for his life to be spared.
• 2:17
  Speaker 2: Inspired by the book of 2 Kings.
• 2:22
  Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible
• 2:25
  Speaker 3: in a Year. In our last time together, we learned
• 2:28
  Speaker 3: how Naaman responded to being cured of leprosy. This Syrian soldier,
• 2:33
  Speaker 3: a general, gave his heart to God in gratitude for
• 2:36
  Speaker 3: the healing that the Lord had provided for him, and
• 2:39
  Speaker 3: he returned to his home country, telling of the glory
• 2:42
  Speaker 3: of the one true God. We also saw the contrast
• 2:46
  Speaker 3: of Elisha's servant, Gehiza, whose heart turned away from the
• 2:49
  Speaker 3: Lord in disobedience and greed. and the price that he
• 2:53
  Speaker 3: paid for his deceit. Today, we'll hear how Elisha will
• 2:57
  Speaker 3: find himself in a life-threatening situation as the Aramean army
• 3:02
  Speaker 3: seeks to kill him. We'll witness his trust in God
• 3:05
  Speaker 3: as he stands firm in face of danger, courageous, knowing
• 3:08
  Speaker 3: that God will protect him for his purposes and plans.
• 3:12
  Speaker 3: Let's now go to God's Word.
• 3:16
  Speaker 2: Once again, war spread across the east, and Israel was
• 3:20
  Speaker 2: at odds with the kingdom of Aram. The two nations
• 3:24
  Speaker 2: fought all throughout the land, switching battlefields often. Blood and
• 3:29
  Speaker 2: ash caked the valleys between them, and many lives were lost.
• 3:33
  Speaker 2: The king of Aram was fond of ambushing the people
• 3:36
  Speaker 2: of Israel. Every week, he would mount another attack by
• 3:40
  Speaker 2: placing his soldiers in unexpected places. Israel seemed to be
• 3:44
  Speaker 2: outmatched and unprepared. However, Israel had the Lord of heaven
• 3:49
  Speaker 2: and earth on their side. The God of Israel would
• 3:53
  Speaker 2: speak warnings to Elisha, informing him of where the Arameans
• 3:56
  Speaker 2: were planning to mobilize their troops. When the king of
• 4:00
  Speaker 2: Israel was preparing his soldiers for battle, Elisha would interrupt
• 4:04
  Speaker 2: their strategizing. Do not venture near that place, Elisha would
• 4:09
  Speaker 2: say before the men departed. The Arameans are lying in
• 4:12
  Speaker 2: wait for you there. So the king of Israel had
• 4:15
  Speaker 2: an edge over the king of Aram. Each day they
• 4:18
  Speaker 2: would dodge another ambush from the enemy. After several failed
• 4:22
  Speaker 2: attempts at capturing the Israelite armies, the king of Aram
• 4:26
  Speaker 2: grew uncontrollably angry. His blood boiled with rage. It seemed
• 4:31
  Speaker 2: as though the armies of Israel knew exactly where they
• 4:34
  Speaker 2: would be every time.' Which one of you is the traitor?'
• 4:38
  Speaker 2: he yelled at his officers. The king was spitting with rage.
• 4:42
  Speaker 2: His eyes were weary and revealed a slow descent into madness.'
• 4:47
  Speaker 2: Who has been informing the king of Israel about my plans?
• 4:51
  Speaker 2: Surely it must be one of you!' he shouted. The
• 4:54
  Speaker 2: officers trembled with fear and concern. They had not betrayed
• 4:59
  Speaker 2: their king. One of them spoke up, saying,' It is
• 5:02
  Speaker 2: not us, my king. It is Elisha, the prophet of Israel.'
• 5:06
  Speaker 2: The king looked confused and impatient. He tells the king everything,
• 5:11
  Speaker 2: even the private things you only speak of in your chambers.
• 5:15
  Speaker 2: The king of Aram sat down for a moment. His
• 5:17
  Speaker 2: once violent demeanor turned into a slow simmer. He remained silent.
• 5:22
  Speaker 2: His officers could see his mind racing as his eyes
• 5:25
  Speaker 2: stared into nothing. Go and find where he is, the
• 5:30
  Speaker 2: king finally said. Then send troops to seize him. The
• 5:34
  Speaker 2: king thought he had finally found his enemies. He thought
• 5:37
  Speaker 2: that if he captured Elisha, all would be settled. He
• 5:40
  Speaker 2: did not know that he was picking a fight with
• 5:43
  Speaker 2: God himself. After a few days, a report returned to
• 5:47
  Speaker 2: the king of Aram. Elisha is at Dothan, the messenger said.
• 5:52
  Speaker 2: So the king mounted a great army with chariots and
• 5:54
  Speaker 2: horsemen to take the city of Dothan. They rode under
• 5:58
  Speaker 2: the cover of night like a silent storm sweeping through
• 6:01
  Speaker 2: the city. They approached the home of Elisha and surrounded
• 6:05
  Speaker 2: the entire house with chariots and horsemen. There they waited
• 6:10
  Speaker 2: until sunrise, so they could see the face of the
• 6:13
  Speaker 2: prophet before laying his head on a pike. Night passed,
• 6:17
  Speaker 2: and the sun was slowly rising above the distant hills.
• 6:21
  Speaker 2: The only sound was of birds chirping. One of Elisha's
• 6:24
  Speaker 2: servants awoke and looked out the window to see an
• 6:27
  Speaker 2: entire army surrounding their home. Troops, horses, and chariots stood
• 6:32
  Speaker 2: around the perimeter in perfect stillness, almost like statues. The
• 6:36
  Speaker 2: servant ran into his master's bedroom and shook him awake.
• 6:40
  Speaker 2: Elisha looked out the window to see the king and
• 6:42
  Speaker 2: his men standing outside the house. What are we going
• 6:46
  Speaker 2: to do? the young man cried to Elisha. He was trembling,
• 6:50
  Speaker 2: and the army outside was beginning to stir. It was
• 6:53
  Speaker 2: a truly unsettling sight, but Elisha did not panic. Do
• 6:57
  Speaker 2: not be afraid, Elisha said. He placed a comforting hand
• 7:01
  Speaker 2: on the boy's shoulder, then gestured to the window. It
• 7:05
  Speaker 2: is them who should fear, for there are more on
• 7:07
  Speaker 2: our side than on theirs. Look! As Elisha prayed to
• 7:11
  Speaker 2: the Lord, the young men looked out the window and
• 7:13
  Speaker 2: saw figures on the distant hillside. Thousands of horses and chariots,
• 7:18
  Speaker 2: blazing in flames, stood at attention. The young man was
• 7:22
  Speaker 2: able to see what Elisha saw. The Lord's armies were
• 7:25
  Speaker 2: ready to fight for them if need be. Elisha kneeled
• 7:29
  Speaker 2: before God and prayed, Lord, make them blind. Protect us.
• 7:35
  Speaker 2: So the Lord made them blind to who Elisha was.
• 7:39
  Speaker 2: As Elisha exited his home, his identity remained hidden from
• 7:42
  Speaker 2: the men. So he was able to approach them without
• 7:45
  Speaker 2: fear of being captured. My friends, Elisha shouted, you poor
• 7:50
  Speaker 2: souls who have come to the wrong place. This isn't
• 7:53
  Speaker 2: the right city to find the prophet. Please let me
• 7:56
  Speaker 2: guide you to the man you are looking for. So
• 7:59
  Speaker 2: Elisha guided the confused army to Samaria, the capital of Israel.
• 8:04
  Speaker 2: The army followed Elisha, still confused as to who they
• 8:07
  Speaker 2: were looking for. By the time the Lord began to
• 8:10
  Speaker 2: open their eyes as to who Elisha was and where
• 8:13
  Speaker 2: they were, it was too late. The army had traveled
• 8:17
  Speaker 2: into the belly of their enemy, Israel. The king of
• 8:20
  Speaker 2: Israel and his armies had them surrounded. With spears and
• 8:24
  Speaker 2: arrows mounted for attack, the Aramean army found themselves completely vulnerable.
• 8:30
  Speaker 2: The king of Israel emerged from the group of soldiers
• 8:32
  Speaker 2: and greeted Elisha.' My father!' he shouted.' What shall we
• 8:37
  Speaker 2: do with them? Shall I kill them where they stand?
• 8:40
  Speaker 2: Should I spill their blood on the city streets?'' Of
• 8:43
  Speaker 2: course not,' Elisha replied with enthusiasm.' We are people of mercy.
• 8:48
  Speaker 2: We do not kill vulnerable prisoners.' Elisha turned to the
• 8:52
  Speaker 2: king who previously hunted his head. The king of Aram
• 8:56
  Speaker 2: looked back at Elisha. He could see a true reflection
• 8:59
  Speaker 2: of the mercy of God in his eyes. In that moment,
• 9:03
  Speaker 2: the king realized that Elisha's power was not his own.
• 9:06
  Speaker 2: He served someone greater. Give them food, drinks, and then
• 9:11
  Speaker 2: send them home, Elisha said to his king. Then Elisha
• 9:15
  Speaker 2: smiled and left back home. The king of Israel made
• 9:18
  Speaker 2: a great feast for the Aramean army. And then they
• 9:21
  Speaker 2: were sent home. From that day forward, there was harmony
• 9:25
  Speaker 2: between the two nations. Mercy had triumphed over judgment. And
• 9:30
  Speaker 2: although God had placed chariots of fire at a distance
• 9:33
  Speaker 2: to protect His beloved, ultimately, it was an act of
• 9:37
  Speaker 2: kindness that brought true peace.
• 9:45
  Speaker 3: As we listen to God's Word today, we discover that
• 9:48
  Speaker 3: Israel is once more at war with a neighbor This
• 9:52
  Speaker 3: time it is the nation of Aram, also known as Syria,
• 9:56
  Speaker 3: who intends on conquering God's people, but they are having
• 9:59
  Speaker 3: no success in their efforts. For you see, God had
• 10:03
  Speaker 3: been speaking to Elisha, telling him exactly where the enemy
• 10:06
  Speaker 3: was mounting an attack, and so the larger and more
• 10:09
  Speaker 3: formidable army was frustrated each time because Israel anticipated their
• 10:15
  Speaker 3: every move. Little did they know that Israel had had
• 10:19
  Speaker 3: the Lord of hosts on their side. The king of
• 10:23
  Speaker 3: Aram was understandably furious and suspicious that there was a
• 10:28
  Speaker 3: mole in his midst. Surely one of his soldiers was
• 10:31
  Speaker 3: somehow getting information to Israel and tipping them off. But
• 10:35
  Speaker 3: despite the enraged screaming at the troops, no informant was found.
• 10:40
  Speaker 3: It just made no sense to him. Then one of
• 10:43
  Speaker 3: his generals told him about Elisha, the prophet of Israel,
• 10:47
  Speaker 3: who somehow knew exactly what was going to happen. Soothsayers
• 10:52
  Speaker 3: and fortune tailors were not uncommon in those days, and
• 10:55
  Speaker 3: many kings consulted them. So the king of Aram just
• 10:59
  Speaker 3: assumed Elisha, though he was really good at his job,
• 11:02
  Speaker 3: was just a man, a nuisance that needed to be
• 11:05
  Speaker 3: dealt with. If he could take him out, the battle
• 11:08
  Speaker 3: could be won. So he set his sights on Elisha,
• 11:12
  Speaker 3: not knowing that the true power of Elisha came from
• 11:15
  Speaker 3: the one speaking to and through Elisha. God himself. As
• 11:20
  Speaker 3: soon as the scouts found out where Elisha was, they
• 11:22
  Speaker 3: sent word to the king that he was at Dothan.
• 11:25
  Speaker 3: So the king mobilized his army to Dothan to capture
• 11:28
  Speaker 3: and kill the prophet Elisha. When Elisha's servants saw the
• 11:33
  Speaker 3: army surrounding his home, he panicked. And of course, that's understandable.
• 11:38
  Speaker 3: If you look out your window and you saw horses
• 11:40
  Speaker 3: and chariots surrounding you, it would be very unsettling. So
• 11:44
  Speaker 3: the servant ran and told his master, Elisha, but this
• 11:48
  Speaker 3: man of God was courageous and unfazed. Have you ever
• 11:53
  Speaker 3: been around someone like that? When danger arises, when disaster
• 11:58
  Speaker 3: seems to press from all sizes, they just keep their
• 12:01
  Speaker 3: calm and their courage. Calm like fear can be contagious,
• 12:06
  Speaker 3: especially when the person who stays calm gives a reason.
• 12:09
  Speaker 3: And that's just exactly what Elisha did. recorded in 2
• 12:13
  Speaker 3: Kings 6, verse 16. He said, Do not be afraid,
• 12:18
  Speaker 3: for those who are with us are far more than
• 12:21
  Speaker 3: those who are with them. I can just picture this
• 12:25
  Speaker 3: servant taking a brief look outside to see if he
• 12:27
  Speaker 3: had missed something. Was there another army that he didn't see? Well,
• 12:32
  Speaker 3: in fact, there was. But it wasn't until Elisha asked
• 12:36
  Speaker 3: the Lord to open his servant's eyes that he could
• 12:38
  Speaker 3: really see. God opened this servant's eyes and he saw
• 12:42
  Speaker 3: God's army, armies of angels covering the mountains, horses and
• 12:47
  Speaker 3: chariots of fires, a supernatural sight, no doubt. So often
• 12:53
  Speaker 3: in our lives, when we look at problems that are
• 12:55
  Speaker 3: so much bigger than us, we see them through human eyes,
• 12:58
  Speaker 3: but we do not realize that our God is fighting
• 13:02
  Speaker 3: an unseen battle for us, that there are angels all
• 13:06
  Speaker 3: around us and that God protects his own. The Bible
• 13:10
  Speaker 3: says in the New Testament, greater is he that is
• 13:13
  Speaker 3: in you than he that is in the world. The
• 13:16
  Speaker 3: Bible also says, if God be for us, who can
• 13:19
  Speaker 3: be against us? So I don't know what enemy, adversary, foe,
• 13:24
  Speaker 3: or circumstance you may be facing in your life, but
• 13:27
  Speaker 3: God is with you and God is for you. He
• 13:30
  Speaker 3: is fighting for you. If there was to be a
• 13:33
  Speaker 3: fight that day, Elisha was not concerned, but he didn't
• 13:37
  Speaker 3: want to fight. He asked God to blind the Aramean
• 13:40
  Speaker 3: army and he walked right out unrecognized and sent them
• 13:44
  Speaker 3: to another town. He then called the king of Israel
• 13:47
  Speaker 3: and the army surrounded their unsuspecting enemy. Their foe was
• 13:51
  Speaker 3: there for the taking, but Elisha did not let the
• 13:53
  Speaker 3: king of Israel spill blood. Peace was forged that day
• 13:57
  Speaker 3: between two nations as judgment and violence were replaced by
• 14:00
  Speaker 3: mercy and grace. It's a picture of God's own heart,
• 14:04
  Speaker 3: isn't it? the heart of the Lord Jesus, who is
• 14:07
  Speaker 3: full of grace and truth and mercy to all of
• 14:10
  Speaker 3: us who were once his enemies, but have now been
• 14:13
  Speaker 3: brought near because of his grace and power. Dear God,
• 14:17
  Speaker 3: thank you that you have chosen to show mercy through us,
• 14:20
  Speaker 3: through your son, Jesus Christ, that we are saved by
• 14:23
  Speaker 3: your grace through faith in him. We know that we
• 14:27
  Speaker 3: deserve judgment and condemnation, but we also know, according to
• 14:31
  Speaker 3: the scripture, that there is now no condemnation to those
• 14:35
  Speaker 3: who are in Christ Jesus. We look to you today
• 14:38
  Speaker 3: and to your angel armies for your protection and peace,
• 14:42
  Speaker 3: for we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you for
• 14:46
  Speaker 3: listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor
• 14:50
  Speaker 3: Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage you to
• 14:54
  Speaker 3: download the Pray.com app and always make Bible reading and
• 14:58
  Speaker 3: Bible study a priority in your life, along with prayer.
• 15:02
  Speaker 3: If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love.
• 15:05
  Speaker 3: Let someone know, because by sharing this podcast, you can
• 15:08
  Speaker 3: truly make a difference in someone's life. And if you
• 15:12
  Speaker 3: want more resources from me, Jack Graham, as to how
• 15:15
  Speaker 3: you can grow in your Christian life, then go to jackgraham.org.
• 15:20
  Speaker 3: That's jackgraham.org. God bless you.