About This Product
Lessons from the life of Elisha the Prophet. Seeing the unseen.
Excerpt- 2 Kings 6:8-23 and Ephesians 1
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that . . . the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:15-18.
The ministry of Elisha touches on and enlightens several New Testament truths in picture form. This form makes the truth more interesting to us and helps us to lay hold of the underlying spiritual meaning in our souls.
It may seem strange to find an illustration of Ephesians 1:18 in the second book of the Kings, especially when we have been taught that the “mystery” concerning Christ and the Church had not been revealed until it was given to Paul the apostle by revelation (Eph. 3:5-8). But it is not strange, for “it is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.” Prov. 25:2.
The “mystery” was not revealed in 2 Kings 6:8-23, but what was written in the time of Elisha was written for us, “for whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4. “And have been written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.” 1 Cor. 10:11 JND.
Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. (Verses 8-10)
The king of Syria was an enemy of Israel —God’s people. The Lord sent the man of God to save His people Israel and these enemies; God sent the Lord Jesus to save all, for all were His enemies by wicked works.
Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. (Verses 11,12)
God had a purpose in putting before the king of Syria a mystery — the mystery of who was exposing the king’s secret military movements. This mystery illustrates the “mystery” of Christ and the Church. Then, through a servant, the Lord revealed to the king the mystery; now, through the Apostle Paul, He has made known to us the mystery “which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men.”
And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. (Verse 13)
The Syrians, the enemies of God’s people, wanted to take Elisha captive, because he knew the king’s secret plans. It was the enemies of Christ who not only took Jesus captive, but put Him to death. With a purpose of good in His heart God was behind all and in control of all that was happening in Israel. So, too, God had an eternal purpose of good in allowing His Son to be taken and crucified.
Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. (Verse 14)
The king of Syria sent his forces with a great display of power to take Elisha. When the Lord Jesus was upon earth, Satan marshalled his great host, showing his power in putting Jesus to death.
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? (Verse 15)
The young servant with Elisha is a picture of ourselves with the Lord Jesus and the need to have our eyes open to heavenly things — the “mystery” — to see the great spiritual blessings as well as the treasures that are already ours. We need to learn that the power of God is greater than the power of the enemy, Satan.
While sure there was a way out of their difficulty, the servant did not know what it was. Elisha assures him that he was not to fear because “they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” How good to know about the surpassing power of Christ over all enemies (both His and ours). He proved it at the cross. In all things He shall have the preeminence (Phil. 2:9,10; Col. 1:18).
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (Verses 16,17)
After Elisha prayed to God, the young man’s eyes were opened. Only the Holy Spirit can make us see what we have in Christ in connection with the “mystery” — Christ and the Church. Think of the power of Christ who is now exalted above the heavens with every power, authority, and dominion made subject to Him (1 Pet. 3:22). In Ephesians 1 Paul prayed, not that we might have power, but that we might have the truth made good to us.
The mountain full of horses and chariots of fire that the young man saw suggests the greatness of God’s power to us who believe when He raised Christ from among the dead and set Him (a man) at His own right hand above every name and power on earth or in heaven.