The Unseen Realm
2 Kings 6:8–23 (ESV): Horses and Chariots of Fire
8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.
11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, 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 And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 As soon as they entered 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. 21 As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” 22 He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom 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.” 23 So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.
Abba,
What a picture is this! What a glimpse! There is a whole other realm that exists beyond our sight, beyond our understanding.
We only catch glimpses. Snapshots. We are given brief insight and veiled comments. But it is enough to make us aware of your vast army that is ever at war beyond our sight. A war for the hearts and devotion of men. A war to bring them to the greatest good in the universe. A war with eternal and truly epic impact.
At times, Abba, I think we fall into a false sense that you are inactive and distance, not engaged in the lives of your creation. Our limited sight, weak faith, and poor understanding lead to us look at the world and fail to see just how deeply immersed in it You actually are. We think you are absent and disengaged.
But passages like this teach us otherwise. We may not always understand your workings, but what is clear is this….YOU ARE HERE and you are engaged in the life of your creation. Strengthen our faith to trust this. Give us eyes to see and minds to understand just how intricately involved you are in this life.
And may we find comfort, strength, and motivation to walk worthy, to keep steady, and to fight the good fight until you come to take us home.
May you find us faithful.
We love you,
Amen.
2 Kings 6:8–23 (ESV): Horses and Chariots of Fire
8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.
11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, 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 And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 As soon as they entered 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. 21 As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” 22 He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom 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.” 23 So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.
Abba,
What a picture is this! What a glimpse! There is a whole other realm that exists beyond our sight, beyond our understanding.
We only catch glimpses. Snapshots. We are given brief insight and veiled comments. But it is enough to make us aware of your vast army that is ever at war beyond our sight. A war for the hearts and devotion of men. A war to bring them to the greatest good in the universe. A war with eternal and truly epic impact.
At times, Abba, I think we fall into a false sense that you are inactive and distance, not engaged in the lives of your creation. Our limited sight, weak faith, and poor understanding lead to us look at the world and fail to see just how deeply immersed in it You actually are. We think you are absent and disengaged.
But passages like this teach us otherwise. We may not always understand your workings, but what is clear is this….YOU ARE HERE and you are engaged in the life of your creation. Strengthen our faith to trust this. Give us eyes to see and minds to understand just how intricately involved you are in this life.
And may we find comfort, strength, and motivation to walk worthy, to keep steady, and to fight the good fight until you come to take us home.
May you find us faithful.
We love you,
Amen.
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