Elisha, Angels, Blindness, and Mercy in II Kings 6

Elisha was a farmer, called by God to be a prophet. As a prophet, Elisha advised Joram, the king of Israel, in the ninth century BCE. Elisha, ‘God saves’, was anointed by and followed Elijah, ‘my God is Yahweh.’ After Elijah was taken up to God in a chariot, and the death of king Ahab of Israel,  Elisha was left with Ahab’s son, the new king, Joram.

The third chapter of II Kings records Joram as doing evil, but not like his parents, Ahab and Jezebel. Even though Joram was acting in rebellion to God, God still blessed him, sending understanding to Elisha, so Elisha could give warnings of the threats to Joram’s life. This happened enough that the king of Aram thought he had a spy among his advisers.

The king of Aram became enraged that God kept warning Elisha. When the king of Aram found out that Elisha knew about all he planned, in secret, he sent his great army after Elisha.

11 Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him.” And it was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

Elisha’s Servant Alarmed and God’s Plan to Save Elisha

Imagine your concern if you woke up one day to find out that you were surrounded by an enemy desiring your demise. That is exactly the scene before Elisha’s servant when he woke up one morning.

We have situations come up in our lives that we think are hopeless. We may or may not be in a location of physical war, but we are most definitely in a battle. We may think our strife is with another army, a coworker, a friend, a spouse, a loved one, a competitor, or just plain mean, hateful people. We are called to love, even our enemy. I am not saying there is no just defense, there is, but we are called to the love God and others. That is the goal of the battle, war is more accurate.

So what is the core of our war? I find understanding and direction in the sixth chapter of Ephesians, “12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

This is a real good reason to step back when something makes us mad, sad, or any other emotion that demands we lash out. The person or situations confronting us, the ones we want to strike out at, are being used as tools by our true antagonist. In fact, those people are under attack by the same adversaries.  They are tossed by the same turbulence.

Again, this does not mean we do not respond or rebuke when needed. Realizing these people and situations are manipulated like we are, should give us a reason to respond in love or compassion. We need to be quick to look for ways God can use us for mercy.

Our primary defense is Jesus. He is the armor of God. On top of the armor of God, we are also protected by a heavenly host. I cannot say how much a Christian can request the assistance of angels, God’s servants, but I am sure it is more than my faith has asserted.

I have come to ask God to send angels to protect and inspire events. If our battle is not against flesh and blood, who better to thwart the adversaries than similar beings? I might ask God to send:

When I read this passage on Elisha, my mind thinks of these angels as angels God assigned to Elisha. As any gift, talent, or action, as we are faithful to exercise them, God increases their utility in His kingdom. Whether any Christian is assigned angels to work with or not, I believe we can ask for all God’s protection. Angels are one group dedication to that cause.

I am compelled to add, requesting the help of the Holy Spirit is by far our greatest option. If we follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit is our source of strength. Living in us, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live more like Jesus. For me, asking God to send angels for protection, is  less than one percent of the time I make intercession. I will say, I have found joy in asking God to gather worshiping angels to worship activities, and I have increased requests.

Back to our story of Elisha. Surrounding the army of Aram, which had encircled the city where Elisha was, was a heavenly host of fiery battle angels with horse and chariots.

Strategically, this battle was all but over, yet Elisha had greater plans. But first, for his servant’s peace of mind, Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes be open to see God’s salvation. We need to pray for the eyes of Christians around us to be open, that they can see God’s salvation in their circumstances.

15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Even Though the Battle is Assured, The Prophet Prays for Blindness to Come on the Enemy

Elisha could have used the opportunity to escape. Escape is salvations. There are many times that our proper action is to simply escape a situation.

Be on the lookout, there will be situations and people around us where God’s glory can be magnified. That is just what Elisha did. He could have requested the fiery army destroy the army of Aram. Instead, Elisha asks that the eyes of the enemy be blinded. A blinded army is easy to defeat, but Elisha restrains.

18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

Elisha Leads the Army of Aram to Captivity

Instead Elisha leads the army of Aram like a pied piper or drum major, straight to the army of Israel encamped in Samaria. Again a perfect time to destroy the enemy, but God wanted to display mercy.

19 Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he brought them to Samaria. 20 When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the LORD opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

Elisha Displays God’s Mercy

When the king of Israel saw the disabled army of Aram, his thought was to destroy them. Elisha on the other hand told the king to show them hospitality, give them food and drink, and to then send them on their way. This is mercy. The enemy deserved to be destroyed. Aram took the opportunity of the death of the previous king to start raiding the people of Israel. People that cause us pain, can be shown mercy.

21 Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”22 He answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.”

God Provides Lasting Peace to Israel

Aram stopped raiding Israel, God provided a season of peace.

23 So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel

Reflection – II Kings 6:8-23

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