When There Is Doubt and Orders Are given to God One Perishes

Study: # 764- Church in the Houses From: April 9-15, 2013

TOPIC: “When There Is Doubt and Orders Are given to God One Perishes” 2 Kings 6:31-33, 7:1-2 Samaria, which was the capital of Israel in those times, was going through a terrible situation of great hunger, well due to their sin God was far from them. They regretted that situation but at the same time they became angry with the prophet Elijah because on God’s behalf he spoke to them the truth. The carnal and insensible do not receive the word that comes from God, it annoys them and it is not received; in turn the spiritual understand everything, everything. 1 Corinthians 2:14 “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The carnal are covered with their flesh and cannot see, or understand; they do not know what is happening. Those who are carnal try to struggle with their senses and what seems logical, but all that is done covered in the flesh and not with the Spirit. So, one should live and see things separated from the flesh to be able to understand and receive the spiritual things. The Holy Spirit helps us. It is who makes that in your own spirit understand what you are living and therefore know how to fight. But, everything should be to the Holy Spirit who is the one that reveals everything. 1 Corinthians 2:10 “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” Elijah was the prophet in those times, he was a man totally filled with the Holy Spirit. This means that his flesh was crucified. Galatians 5:24 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires…” There were great problems in Israel; their kings were worldly, carnal, and far from God. Syria had surrounded and besieged Samaria so there was no food and therefore, there was no strength for the battle. The prophet Elisha was sitting in his house with the elders in a meeting there. It was something like a meeting to consult the voice of the Lord through that man who could see what was happening with nothing to confuse him. Elisha, who was sitting calmly clearly understood that a king’s emissary had been sent to him to cut off his head (2 Kings 6:32). After that emissary there would come the king himself to put an end to Elisha’ spirit (2 Kings 6:31). Poor king, who dissatisfied with the prophet, believed that it would be easy to hush up and end Elisha! Of course, there were the elders of Israel, so Elisha was not alone. And for the presence of the elders the emissary could only complain by saying that it was in vain to wait for the Lord, since Israel’s situation would not improve. (Vs. 33). God had promised to help them, but under the conditions that they would have to repent from their many sins first. God said through Elisha that miraculously the next day the food would be so plentiful that would cost almost nothing. 2 Kings 7:1 “Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the Lord! This is what the Lord says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, five quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and ten quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.” It could have been different and of some relief to the man who talked with mockery and incredulity if he could have been a spiritual person, but because he was carnal it cost him everything. Vs. 2 “The officer assisting the King said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!” But Elisha replied, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” The carnal man could not understand God’s voice. The incredulity produces great mockery trying to be disguised. For the unbeliever and carnal it is impossible that the contrary to what they are seeing would occur. The messenger said on the king’s name: “Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?” So is the incredulity. And the other prince who assisted the king said in mockery tone that God would have to “open windows in heaven”. But, God had spoken through the prophet Elisha and that same night the Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching. The Syrians thought that the King of Israel had hired the army of Egypt and the Hittites to attack them, since they were surrounded. They were much panicked and ran into the night leaving their belongings and provisions. (2 Kings 7:6-7). Some lepers were who discovered what had happened to the Syrians and informed Israel, as the prophet had said, they were free already and the food would be almost sell for a song (2 Kings 7: 310). God had said to the man assisting the king of Israel that he would see the miracle of liberation and the abundance of food that would happen the next day, but he would not eat from it. “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” The reason of this punishment was because the man had said with mockery: “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!” It was a great taunt towards the prophet. And the prophecy was fulfilled to the letter, the food which was so scarce and expensive was now abundant and almost for free. It happened just as God had said! Those who stripped the camp have not only provided themselves but have enough to sell the excess. I think there was a miracle of multiplication of the food, since Samaria was a city with many people, many children, women and elders; for in the army there were only men. The king had placed that prince at the city gate. Elisha had prophesized he would die at the gate. Neither the king nor those who were there understood or made much of the prophecy. So as something natural the King sent him to the gates and he was trampled by the people. The prince doubted Elisha’s words; so in God’s behalf, death awaited him. The king ordered his minister to keep order at the city gates, but the impetuosity of the starved people couldn’t be resisted and he was over run. Elisha’s prophecy was fulfilled in every detail. The prophet was lifted on high and God was glorified. The man died for his incredulity according to the Lord’s Word. The incredulity deprives its victims of many blessings and rewards.

There were abundance of grain without the Lord “opening the windows in heavens” as that unbeliever said in mockery tone. So this carnal man saw the adverse results of his own silliness because he had said what God should do. He was not able to eat from the abundance that he contemplated with his own eyes. We have to be vigilant to be spiritual not carnal. Do not give rise to the flesh, but to the Holy Spirit so we would contemplate God’s works; and move in accordance with His direction, not in accordance with our desires, logic or carnal thoughts. Amen.