Bible Passage:  2 Kings 7

What do you think of today’s story? Is there any lesson you can learn from it?

There are many things that we should do as a Christian.   But there are also many things we do not do well.  Today’s story reminds me of what I need to improve on…

The story is straight forward – the Syrians have besieged Israel and the city was starving.  Four lepers decided to surrender to the Syrians – hoping to get some food.  What they found was beyond their imagination….

An empty camp – but not empty of food, gold, silver and clothing.  How they feasted.

Then their conscience pricked them.

They went back to the city and told everyone.  They went back to the city that rejected them – but this city was like them – starving, hopeless…

And that was how the very improbable prophecy of Elisha in verse 1 was fulfilled:

Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’”

~ 2 Kings 7:1

Now why the 4 lepers returned?

Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.” 

~ 2 Kings 7:9

This is a day of good news and we are keeping quiet about it and keeping it to ourselves.

This is a day of good news. Our enemies are defeated and gone and we have food!

But…. if we remain silent, some punishment may come upon us!

This reminds me of the reaction of Paul to receiving the salvation grace:

16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

~  1 Cor 9:16

The salvation of God is freely given.  Like the lepers, we were hopeless and starving.  Then we found food for our souls and treasures beyond compare.

In fact, we feasted – feasted on the grace of salvation, God’s goodness and greatness.

Now it remains for us to go and share this.  We need to tell others about our experience.  There is lots to go around.  We cannot possibly enjoy and keep everything to ourselves.

We know this.  But we seldom do it.

So today’s story serves us a reminder that we are to go out and share the good news that we have heard and experienced it for ourselves.

This is one area I am very weak in and I know many of us are struggling with as well.  But the truth of the matter is this:  God wants us to do it and will bless and guide us if we are willing to step up and do it.

Last Saturday we had an evangelistic Sabbath service.  There were a few truth-seekers and members who brought their friends along.  They were excited to share the good thing they had received.  And the great thing was it was as simple as asking their friends to come and see.

We must do better in this area.  Or else the grace of God only remains with us – and that is not what God wants.