Bible Study - Elisha (5) - GOD'S Hand in Facing Opposition - 2 Kings 6:8-23 - May 25, 2025

Bible Study – Elisha (5) – GOD’S Hand in Facing Opposition – 2 Kings 6:8-23 – May 25, 2025

GOD is more powerful than those who oppose us was the Old Testament message. What is the New Testament message?

We read in 1 John 4:4:

You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one (JESUS) who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan).

Spirit-born believers are eternally secure through faith in JESUS.

But all “Spirit-born” believers’ must keep in mind that, even though, we are secure in JESUS, we still battle Satan and his minions.

“Spirit-born Christians” are to suit up because the battle plans are ready to be put into action. Let’s explore!!!

Let’s read 2 Kings 6:8-23:

⁸ When the king of Aram was waging war against Israel, he conferred with his servants, “My camp will be at such and such a place.”

⁹ But the man of God (Elisha) sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful passing by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” ¹⁰ Consequently, the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had told him about. The man of God repeatedly^[b] warned the king, so the king would be on his guard.

¹¹ The king of Aram was enraged because of this matter, and he called his servants and demanded of them, “Tell me, which one of us is for the king of Israel?”

¹² One of his servants said, “No one, my lord the king. Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in your bedroom.”

¹³ So the king said, “Go and see where he is, so I can send men to capture him.”

When he was told, “Elisha is in Dothan,” ¹⁴ he sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

¹⁵ When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So, he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?”

Elisha’s servant asked an excellent question. To whom do we turn to when the enemy surrounds us? WHO is our protector?

As Spirit-born Christians, through the miracle of Spiritual Birth through faith in JESUS, we are eternally born into GOD’S Family, as GOD’S Son or Daughter and he/she become recruits into GOD’S Army.

Does GOD’S Army exist today? YES!!! And all Spirit born people are enlisted in GOD’S Army. There is the visible Army and the invisible Army of GOD, and both work together to accomplish GOD’S will and purpose.

The Apostle Paul gives us an understanding of our involvement in GOD’S visible Army in Ephesians 6:10-20:

Christian Warfare – When a person becomes a member of GOD’S Eternal Family through faith in JESUS, he/she becomes an enemy of Satan. GOD knows that. Thus, when a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior, The Holy Spirit, GOD’S Divine Sperm, enters the Spirit-born person’s physical body and unites with the human spirit. This union results in a Spiritual conception and instantly takes place. After Spiritual conception, the human body becomes the Temple for this New “Spirit-born,” eternal person to develop, grow and minister in the physical world as led and directed by GOD/JESUS.

GOD seals and equips all of HIS Children with Spiritual Gifts, so they are fully equipped to fight the Spiritual battles that come their way as they live, serve and follow the orders of their Commander-in-Chief, GOD!

Is this true today? YES!!! Even more so, because we are closer to the second coming of JESUS than ever in the history of Christianity.

So, what are Christians to do? Spirit-born believers are to feed on the milk of GOD’S Word, grow Spiritually and mature so they can feed upon the meat of GOD’S Word. They are to ask GOD to help them to grow Spiritually and as they grow Spiritually to obediently serve GOD                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                as directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Here is where we, as Spirit-filled believers, must pray and ask GOD to help us keep our focus on HIM and not get caught up in the manifestation of a certain Spiritual Gift but use our Gift(s) as directed by our Commander-in-Chief, GOD.

How many Spiritual Gifts are there? There are many. The Apostle Paul lists a few in our next scripture. I want you to focus upon verse 11.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12: ⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: ⁸ to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

These are just a few of the Spiritual Gifts, but pay special attention to verse 11, “distributing to each person as HE wills.”

Many years ago, there was a period in which a number of “Spirit Born” Christians wanted the fulness of the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues. This is in no way to put down anyone who has the gift of speaking in tongues. It is a Spiritual Gift. I was caught up with them and tried. It was a teaching and revealing experience. I rejoice that I went through that period in my life. The LORD revealed to me that HE spoke in many different languages, i.e., known tongues, music, art, poetry, the sunrise and sunset, the seasons, etc... There is an unknown tongue that is understood by the person speaking but if spoken where others can hear, there must be an interpreter.

When we seek the fulness of JESUS in our lives, it is easy to desire the Spiritual Gifts rather than the Giver, The Holy Spirit. Yes, there are many Spiritual Gifts to be used as GOD directs through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We who know the truth must ask GOD/JESUS to keep our focus upon what HE desires for us to do. GOD equips us as HE desires. But human nature can rise up and result in us seeking to minister, as we, desire using the more visible and powerful Spiritual Gift(s).

There are times when a cup of cold water is sufficient, when directed by the Holy Spirit.

It is vital that as, Spirit-born believes, we stay open to whatever GOD calls us to do. It is HIS power that is being manifested through us!

We must keep in mind that our enemy is Satan, and he is a deceiver and our enemy.

The Apostle Paul gives us insight into being a recruit in GOD’S Army in Ephesians 6:10-20:

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

All Spirit Born believers hold a vital position in GOD’S Kingdom as revealed in 2 Corinthians 5:20: ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

Why “ambassadors”? All “born-again” believers in JESUS automatically represent GOD’S Kingdom and become members of GOD’S Army the instant they receive JESUS as their Savior. GOD equips each new believer with at least one or more Spiritual Gift(s) to enable the “Spirit-born” person to be equipped to effectively serve in GOD’S Army and minister within HIS Kingdom.

As a true believer, you are equipped to serve and being equipped to serve as you develop.

Being a “Spirit-born” member of GOD’S Family, you are called to be a warrior in GOD’S Army. GOD’S Army is still fully engaged in the lives of GOD’S chosen today.

Let’s return to our scripture to get an eyewitness account of GOD’S Army that surrounds all who are born-again through faith in JESUS.

¹⁶ Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.”

¹⁷ Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So, the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Oh, YES!!! FATHER, open our Spiritual eyes so we can see that YOUR Children are surrounded by YOUR mighty power and protection.

Can many of us recall times in our lives when YOU have intervened in our lives and kept us out of harm’s way?

Back to our scripture -----

¹⁸ When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Please strike this nation with blindness.”^[c] So he struck them with blindness, according to Elisha’s word. ¹⁹ Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you’re looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. ²⁰ When they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “Lord, open these men’s eyes and let them see.” So, the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw that they were in the middle of Samaria.

²¹ When the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “Should I kill them, should I kill them, my father?”

²² Elisha replied, “Don’t kill them. Do you kill those you have captured with your sword or your bow? Set food and water in front of them so they can eat and drink and go to their master.”

²³ So he prepared a big feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The Aramean raiders did not come into Israel’s land again.

GOD’S ways are not our ways! Being kind to our enemies, as GOD directs us, changes hearts toward us.

As members of GOD’S Army, we are to stay fit, prepared, and ready for battle. Why? The battle still rages for the souls of both men and women in the world.

In 1 Peter 5:8:

Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

A roaring lion is a hungry lion that is on the prowl to kill and devour the Child of GOD or those considering becoming GOD’S Child.

FATHER, protect all to whom YOU are appealing to become YOUR Child through faith in JESUS. Please say yes and experience the miracle of Spiritual birth into GOD’S eternal Family, never to be cast out.

Being in GOD’S army and Family require us to be Spiritually fit and ready for what comes our way as we journey through life. As GOD’S Child, HE equips us, but we must eat the right Spiritual food and study GOD’S eternal Word, as recorded in The Bible. Exercise by putting into action what GOD, through the leading of The Holy Spirit, guides us to do, according to HIS will and purpose. We need to rest and breath in the freshness of the presence of GOD in our lives. All in CHRIST have been washed clean by the eternal shed blood of JESUS. What does that mean for all “born-again” Christians?

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 2:15:

¹⁵ For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

My, my, you smell so good. Blessings to those who ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins and for JESUS to come into their hearts. Being “Born-again” means you are beginning a new life in CHRIST. Your sins have been forgiven, and you are on the redemptive path which ends when you breath your last breath upon earth to be in the presence of JESUS.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9:

But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived— God has prepared these things for those who love him.

To GOD be the Glory!

Blessings!!!