Journal Through the Bible: Week 52 Tuesday

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II Kings chapter 6

The horses and chariots of fire return but this time they were there to protect Elisha and not to take away his mentor, Elijah.

In the first part of the chapter a king of Syria sends raiding parties into Israel in order to capture the king of Israel. Elisha is seen by the king of Israel as the hero of that story. Later in the chapter Benhadad, king of Syria, besieged the capital city of Samaria with all of his troops thus causing great starvation of the inhabitants. Elisha is seen by the king of Israel to be the villain at that time.

Does God issue any commands?

• We are not told that God commands Elijah to do anything however we are told that God answered the requests of Elijah to open they eyes of Elijah's servant and to alternately blind and open the eyes of the enemies around them. Since this is the type of prayer of faith that Jesus told His followers would be answered by God if the petitioner had faith as a grain of mustard seed and the prayer was in the will of God it would seem likely that Elisha knew the heart of God before he ever asked.

Does God make any promises?

• The only thing I saw that could be considered a promise was that God was telling Elisha the strategic attack plans of the king of Syria against the king of Israel. As long as the king of Israel took the information seriously and sent troops against the raiders he was safe.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Like Elisha, Jesus dwells with His disciples. That's why he is "God with us" (Emmanuel).
• Like Elisha, Jesus knows all innermost thoughts and plans. He told His disciples that one day everyone will be held accountable for every word they have spoken.
• Like Elisha, Jesus was popular as long as everything was going well. But let circumstances and fortunes change and He is marked for death!
• Like Elisha, Jesus communed with the rulers of the people concerning the plight of the people. In Elisha's case it was physical food that the people were lacking. In Jesus' case He told them that the people were spiritually starving.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• None that I identified.