Alas, my master! How shall we do? - 2 Kings 6:8-23

The nation of Israel is a nation blessed by God. It roots way back to Abraham, the father of faith. Though Abraham lived in the promised land - Canaan, literally speaking, Israel grew into a nation in a foreign land - Egypt. When you read Exodus 1:1-7, you will understand that the first generation of Israel who entered Egypt were Jacob and his family. Altogether they were seventy people, who eventually were fruitful and increased greatly. They multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.

Though the people of Israel were blessed, they always had enemies around them. One of the first enemies, they had to deal with was Egypt itself (Exodus 1:8-22). Starting from then, till date, the people of Israel always had enemies beside them and on their borders. The King of Egypt, the Canaanites, the sons of Ammon and Amalek, the Edomites, the Amorites, the king of Bashan, the king of Mesopotamia, the king of Aram, the Philistines, the king of Assyria, the king of Babylon, Greece, the Arabs and the other gentile nations were the most prominent enemies Israel always had. There was a moment in Joshua 11:1-5, where fifteen kingdoms joined together to war against the people of Israel. God was always aware of these enemies against his people. The enemies were like giants and strong nations and the people of Israel were like grasshoppers in front of their enemies. As long as the people of Israel kept the ways of the God, God helped them miraculously in every war against their enemies. God gave all their enemies into their hands. God’s presence was with the people of Israel. Not one of their enemies withstood them (Joshua 21:44). 2 Chronicles 20:29 says “And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.” So whenever the people of Israel were at war, it was the LORD who fought against their enemies and the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries.

Though the people of Israel won wars against their enemies, when they rejected the ways of God and started worshiping pagan idols, there were instances where they lost war’s and were taken as slaves by their enemies. God made it very clear not to worship any other god (Exodus 34:14). "You shall not bow down to any image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below or worship them" (Ex 20:4,5). "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images" (Isa 42:8). After multiple warnings, God poured His anger on his own people, because they neglected the ways of God. Judges 2:14 says “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.” The LORD who fought for the people of Israel against their enemies, delivered them into the hands of their enemies. In fact, these enemies were raised by God himself (1 Kings 11:14). 

If we carefully notice the pattern, we’ll understand the concept. God is omnipotent. God is omniscient. He knows our adversary even before we know them. In fact, he raises the adversary against us. As long as we keep the ways of our LORD, he will help us fight our adversary.

Spiritually speaking, we don’t have to be worried about our physical/human enemy. We need to be worried about the spirit which runs the physical/human enemy against us. The spirit which makes us sin against God. And it’s not about our physical body (which is temporary), but it’s about our soul / spiritual body (which is permanent).

Our war is not against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12). Though we walk in the flesh as mortal men, we are not carrying on our spiritual warfare according to the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:3). Our enemy is not human, but it’s something more than a human and an incomparable opponent to mankind. It’s a spiritual being and this is a spiritual war. There’s only one enemy to mankind. He is the Satan, who is the ruler of this world (John 12:31), the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4), and the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). He is the tempter (1 Thessalonians 3:5), the wicked one (Matthew 13:19, 38), the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). He is also called “the devil”. The devil’s basic nature is that, he is the enemy of God, of all what God does and of all whom God loves.

In 2 Kings 6:8-14, the king of Aram (Syria) was warring against Israel. At that time, Jehoram was the King of Israel. Unlike his parents, Ahab and Jezebel who were against the prophets and Elijah, Jehoram had Elisha as the kings trusted counselor.

Elisha was a prophet who carried the word of God and performed miracles, for the LORD was always with him. As a prophet, his job was to warn the king and the people of Israel to come back to the ways of the LORD. Elisha was the son of Shaphat, a wealthy land-owner of Abel-meholah; he became the attendant and disciple of Elijah. His name first occurs in the command given to Elijah by God, to anoint him as his successor. For the next few years Elisha became Elijah's close attendant until Elijah was taken up into heaven. Elisha then was separated from Elijah by a fiery chariot, and Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into Heaven. Before Elijah was taken up into the whirlwind, Elisha asked to "inherit a double-portion" of Elijah's spirit. Elisha is described as performing twice as many miracles as Elijah. Especially, this passage refers Elisha as “The man of God”.

So the king of Aram planned to kill the king of Israel, by secretly placing his camps at some areas. He was eagerly waiting for the king of Israel to pass through that place. But his plans were spoiled through the revelation given by God to Elisha. The man of God use to send word to the king of Israel not to pass through these areas for the Syrians have camped there. By listening to Elisha’s warning, Jehoram saved himself more than once or twice. 

Jehoram (the king of Israel) would regard the warnings Elisha gave him of his danger by the Syrians, but not the warnings he gave him of his danger by his sins. He was quick to listen to the warnings regarding the physical attacks of the Syrians, but was slow to heed the warning of Elisha regarding his sin and refusal to truly follow the LORD. Such warnings are little heeded by the most; they will save themselves from death, but not from hell. If when we are warned, we do not prepare ourselves with God’s provision and armor against Satan’s devices, we have no one to blame but ourselves. But is this not typical? People are often ready to heed the counsel of medical doctors in reference to problems of health, but slow to listen the counsel of the Word of God.

The king of Aram became furious because his plans were being known to the king of Israel. At first he doubted his own men, but then he came to know that the man of God, Elisha could know everything he thought in his mind. Everything he planned was being revealed to Elisha by God, hence he wanted to kill Elisha first. He sent horses, chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city of Dothan where Elisha was living.

Now this is where we see two men facing one and the same enemy, but have two different reactions. The two men were Elisha and his servant. So by morning Elisha was surrounded by horses, chariots and a great army. Literally there were two men to face the Syrian army. Obviously anyone would say that the Syrian army would either kill Elisha and his servant or take them as captives, because it was an army against two people. There’s not even a chance for two men to stand against an army.

Just like every other morning, Elisha’s servant woke up early in the morning, went out of the house and saw something which was not usual. He saw something which he was not expecting and which he was not prepared for. He saw the Syrian army of horses and chariots all around the city. It was clearly a dead lock. No other way to escape but to face the army. To face the army is to be either killed or to be taken as a captive. He was afraid after what he saw and came to his master and said “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

Every time the adversary come against us, he designs a plan, a scheme to capture us. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour". His target is to capture God’s children to do his will. Satan’s will is against Gods will. Just like him, people under his will walks against Gods will. His spirit is the spirit of disobedience and his army are the sons of disobedience (Eph 2:1, 2) and Matt 13:38 says while "the field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of kingdom and the weeds are the sons of the evil one,”. He tempts us into sin. He is a thief who only comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He is cunning enough to deceive us and led astray our minds from our sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Cor 11:3). The devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Satan is the ruler of this world and as long as we belong to this world, we are spiritually blind and deaf to the word of God.

Just like the king of Aram had his cunning plans to attack the king of Israel and Elisha, even Satan has his plans and schemes to capture the children of God. The king of Aram used horses and chariots along with his army which were the most sophisticated and mighty military instruments of that day to war against Israel, but Satan uses weapons like temptation, lies, hatred, disobedience, lust, deception, fear…These weapons are invisible to the human naked eye, but can be identified by our spiritual eyes only when we are filled by the spirit of God. The devil’s only intention is to drag us to hell along with him.

Elisha saw that his servant was worried and afraid after looking at the Syrian army which came to attack them. The servant came to him master and said “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” Elisha answered to his servant in a very straight and undoubted manner, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” It looks like as if Elisha knew that the Syrian army would come and had already planned a counter attack.

As mentioned above - two men facing one and the same enemy, but have two different reactions. The first reaction is the world’s perspective, while the second one is the faith’s perspective.

The servant went out oblivious to both the fact of the enemy and of God’s provision. Like for a lot of Christians, the new day simply meant business as usual. He was going to take care of his chores and had no mind or concern for the spiritual battle around him, which he was also completely unprepared for what he faced.

As Christians, we can be the same way. Too often we don’t take our spiritual warfare seriously. We act as though Satan and his kingdom were asleep or posed no problem to us. We go out unprepared spiritually. Consequently, when faced with some form of spiritual warfare, like Elisha’s servant was, our response is consternation, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

The servant was completely dependent on what he saw. What about the unseen? Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”. We have two set of eyes. The physical eyes to see the worldly things and the spiritual eyes to see the spiritual heavenly things. So as long as you are part of this world, you’re spiritual eyes are closed. What is seen to our physical eyes is temporary, but what is unseen to our physical eyes and seen to our spiritual eyes is eternal.

What if the servant already had a bigger army at that moment to defend him from the Syrian army? What if he was ready in his best armor with his shield and sword ready for the battle? Let’s assume. What would have been his reaction after seeing at the Syrian army? For sure he wouldn’t be afraid, and think about the amount of courage, confidence and faith (on his army) he would have had - to face the Syrian army. He would have said “Let’s not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with Syrian army.”

Actually, the fact is, the mountain was already filled with horses and chariots of fire around Elisha. An army of angels were there to protect them. That’s why Elisha said “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” But unfortunately the servant was not able to see the unseen, because his spiritual eyes were closed. The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). Since his spiritual eyes were closed, the moment he saw the physical enemy, he was unaware of God’s provision.

Our spiritual eyes are blinded by our sins. Just like in John 12:37-40, though God performs many miracles in our life and saves us from every problems we face, we still hesitate to put our hundred percent trust and faith on him. The ruler of this world has blinded our eyes and hardened our hearts that we should not see with our eyes, nor understand with our heart. All of us have inherited a depraved and spiritually blind nature from Adam. There is no exception. Everyone is born in a state of spiritual blindness.

On the other side, we see Elisha whose reaction was completely opposite to the servant’s. Elisha’s faith was deeply rooted in the mighty God. The way Elisha responded to God’s call (The Call of Elisha - 1 Kings 19:19-21), gives us a very clear picture of “leave the world behind – to follow Jesus”. In order to follow God, Elisha left all the possession he had. He chose God over the world. He assisted Elijah until he was taken by God and Elisha received the double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elisha was found plowing with yoke of oxen and his character represents Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Israel remembers Elisha as an extraordinary man of God. He performed miracles, he prophesied and he committed his life to bringing the wayward Israelite leaders and people back to their covenant with God. There are few Bible scholars who say, Elisha did not see the angels and chariots of fire but just had faith in Gods provision. However he did not back off looking at the Syrian army, but confronted the enemy with faith.  He knew that there was nothing to be afraid of, because those who are with him are more than those who are with them. He had this faith, because he was not of this world. He did not depend on what he saw, but what was unseen.  Elisha prayed for the servant, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” The servant’s spiritual eyes were opened and he saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

The only way for our spiritual eyes to be opened, is to be born again. “You must be born again”. Jesus said "...unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:6-7). Paul calls the spiritual eyes “the eyes of your understanding”. We need to realize how full of darkness and sin we are. We need to realize that Jesus took our place on the cross. If you are willing to fill your darkness with Jesus, who is the light, then accept him as your personal savior. The moment you accept Jesus as your God, your spiritual life gets a start. Until then you were of the worlds, having your minds blinded, keeping yourself from seeing the image of God. But the moment you’re born again, you’re no more of this world’s. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them (1 John 2:15). God chose you out of this world, that is why the world hates you (John 15:19). Which officially makes you against the world and against the ruler of this world (Satan/The devil). So the moment you’re born again, you’re in a battlefield, in a war against our one and only enemy, the Satan. And always remember it not going to be a physical war against flesh and blood, but it’s a spiritual war against Satan. Christian life is an ongoing strive to enter in at the straight gate (Luke 13:24).

Let’s observe the way Elisha confronted the Syrian army. When the Syrians came down against him, Elisha did not back-off or runaway but he prayed to the LORD, to the LORD who was the reason for his spiritual strength, courage and faith. He made his stand against the army. By Elisha’s time the Psalms of David had been written, and whether he had them available or not, certainly he was thinking of the truth of Psalm 27:1-3 and 3:6.  

(Psalm 27:1-3, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

Psalm 3:6, I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. )

Elisha prayed to the LORD, to strike the Syrian army with blindness. God struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. Now Elisha said to them that they reached the wrong city and that he would take them to the person whom they were looking for. And he led them to Samaria.

As soon as they reached Samaria, Elisha prayed to God that the Syrian army may see and their eyes were opened and they found themselves in the midst of Samaria. The moment Jehoram, the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha if he could kill the soldiers of the Syrian army. “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” Elisha says to Jehoram not to kill them, because they are captives, instead serve them bread and water, so that they may eat and drink, and go back to their king. So Jehoram prepared a great feast for the Syrian army and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their king. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.

When Elisha prayed to the LORD, he did not pray the LORD to kill the entire Syrian army. Instead with God’s help, he took the Syrian army to Samaria and prepared a great feast for them. The moment the Syrian army found themselves at Samaria, surrounded by the Israeli army, they knew what was going to happen. The king of Israel was ready to strike them. But that is not what happened. Elisha attacked the Syrian army with love, kindness and forgiveness. Instead of attacking the enemy, he prepared a great feast and the Syrian army ate, drank and went back to their king. When the army came with horses and chariots to attack Elisha, he confronted the army with the faith in the LORD and attacked them with kindness, forgiveness and the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.

Remember, we are not against blood and flesh. We are not against ourselves, but we are against the devil which makes us sin. This is not a physical war between mankind/us, but this is a spiritual war between mankind/us and the devil. We wrestle against the cosmic powers over this present darkness and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. The weapons which the devil uses against mankind are temptation, lies, hatred, disobedience, lust, deception, fear… The weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. The only way to stand against the schemes of the devil, is to put on the whole armor of God. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication (Eph 6:14-18). We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ… (2 Cor 10:3-5). As long as we keep the ways of the LORD, there is no reason for us to back off from the devils schemes and plans. Having faith in the LORD, we can face the devil with courage.

The weapons which we use against the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience is faith, righteousness, love, caring, kindness, patience, peace and forgiveness. Paul asks us to forgive each other so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs (2 Cor 2: 5-11). For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). He asks Timothy to be far from foolish, ignorant controversies which would breed quarrels and to be kind to everyone, be able to teach, be patiently enduring evil and be correcting his opponents with gentleness. And by doing this God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Tim 2:25, 26). Peter asks us to be sober-minded and watchful (1 Peter 5:8).

Isn’t this the way Jesus overcame the devil? We were all dead in the trespasses and sins, in which we walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (Eph 2:1,2).  As it is written, "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). Because we are sinners, Jesus did not consider us as his enemy. His fight was not against flesh and blood. He was against the spirit which lead us astray from the love of God. Jesus confronted the devil with the word of God. When Jesus was hurt, he did not curse us, but he asked God to forgive us. He patiently endured the evil and the pain we caused. He died on the cross bearing all our sins. He did not cause pain to us, when our sins were the reason for his pain. God is not against us, but he is against the devil and hence he wants to save us from the snare of the devil. In this war, Jesus won us. Let us follow his example.  

Every Christian life has the one and same enemy. He is Satan/the devil. His only work is to lead us astray from the love and word of God. As long as we are part of this world, we are slaves/captives to the devil. It looks like he treats us dear, but the truth is, he is going to drag us to hell along with him, a place where we really don’t belong. We are the precious children of God, who sent his only begotten Son to save us from our sins. The only way we can stand him is to be born again and accept Jesus as our personal savior. “Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God” (Galatians 4:7). We Christians are at war with the evil spirit and we need to be filled by the Holy Spirit to stand against the enemy. It’s not a physical war, but a spiritual war, using the spiritual weapons which are love, peace, forgiveness… Let’s be prepared to confront the devil. We need to have the faith in God and courage to face the schemes of the devil. Of course we do need to have courage to forgive people who hurt us, perseverance to face temptation, self-control to keep you away from quarrels, love the undeserved, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Shalom