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 1:15-1815Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The 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 1:1818The 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 1:18) 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. 3:5-85Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (Ephesians 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. 25:22It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. (Proverbs 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. 15:44For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 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.
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.
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. (Verses 18,19)
Samaria, the city on the hill, is a picture of the believer once dead in sins but alive unto God and seated in heavenly places in Christ. Until they got to the hill, they were blind. The natural man cannot understand the things of God at all. The believer needs to learn of his new position “in Christ” so that the eyes of his understanding may be opened to understand the “mystery”.
And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. (Verse 20)
In their new position on the hill, the eyes of these men who had been enemies were opened. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Rom. 5:1010For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10). If the death of the Lord Jesus has brought so much blessing, what will His life as a man (our new position in Christ) bring to us who have believed? The “mystery”, Ephesians 1:8-238Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The 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, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:8‑23) and 3:8, brings us the full life and blessings forever with the Lord Jesus, the Bridegroom, as He takes His place with His bride, the Church, that we may live with Him in His Father’s house.
And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. (Verses 21,22)
The king of Israel had in his hand the host of Syria, his enemies, but they were not to be destroyed. Christ has brought in grace for those who, as ourselves, were enemies and were undeserving of any of the least of His mercies. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17). What a Saviour! We shall praise Him forever for this.
But there’s more! Instead of being smitten as they deserved to be, he set bread and water before them. Not only did the Lord Jesus provide eternal sustenance, but He set us free.
And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. (Verse 23)
What would grace do? Set before them the necessities of life only? No! “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:22For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2). The great provision was the “mystery” laid up since before the foundations of the world, now brought to us through the ministry of Paul and the New Testament prophets.
Why return to their master and his land? They were now at liberty — set free. The believer is sent into the world, where his former master is, to be a witness of the Lord’s goodness and mercy to lost sinners. This is our mission until the Lord comes for us.
What do we have in connection with the “mystery” concerning Christ and the Church?
c We have every blessing in the heavenlies.
c We shall reign over all things with Christ in the eternal state.
c We shall enjoy with Him the entire inheritance of all created things.
c We have all spiritual blessings from the Father — to be included in the heavenly family in the Father’s own house forever.
c We have been chosen in Christ before the world was founded, to be holy and without blame (as Christ is) before the Father in love.
c We have been predestinated to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of the Father’s will. (Predestined means to be singled out before the foundation of the world: to have a place with Christ in heaven in a coming day.)
c We have been accepted with the same acceptance that Christ, as man, has, for we are in the Beloved — in Christ.
c We have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of our sins through the riches of His grace.
c We have been given wisdom and intelligence, in that He has made known to us the “mystery” of His will — that in the fulness of times He will gather together in one all things in Christ in heaven and on earth. Then, with sin gone, all will be holy forever.
c We have obtained our inheritance.
c We shall be to the praise of His glory.
c We have been sealed (a sign of possession) with that Holy Spirit of promise, the earnest of our inheritance until we have been taken to heaven — His purchased possession.
The Apostle Paul’s prayer to God the Father was that He would give to us
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him [Christ], being enlightened in the eyes of your heart, so that ye should know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what the surpassing greatness of His power towards us who believe, according to the working of the might of His strength, in which He wrought in the Christ in raising Him from among the dead, and He set Him down at His right hand in the heavenlies, above every principality, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in that to come; and has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the assembly, which is His body, the fulness [complement] of Him who fills all in all. (Eph. 1:17-2317That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The 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, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:17‑23) JND)
We are placed in the world to be prepared for that eternal, glorious day. Do we realize that we are being washed by the water of the Word in view of that day? “Seeing then that all these things [all natural things] shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” 2 Pet. 3:11.
To feed on Christ exalted in heaven, the hidden manna, and to learn these eternal principles found in His Word will take the rest of our stay on the earth. Soon we shall be taken home to heaven for the marriage of the Lamb. Marriage is a picture of our happiness with Christ in heaven forever. May our affections be aroused now for that happy day.