Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them

2 Kings 6:1-33

As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!”

The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. 

The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”  “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.  “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

Famine in Besieged Samaria, The king said, “This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”

The floating ax-head. The thick woods of the Jodan Valley provide a ready source of timber for the new community building needed by the prophets. Elisha was needed by the prophets. Elisha's miracle was simply a kindly act.

His advice to the king (Joram) shows Elisha to be a true prophet of God. His confidence is in God's protection - a very real thing for those who have eyes to see. Far from being doomed, Elisha has them in the palm of his hand as he leads them home. The king, too, must show mercy. And so the raids, instead of continuing, come to an end.

The peace secured by Elisha doe not last forever. Benhadad of Syria returns to lay siege to Samaria, and the people are reduced to starvation and cannibalism. The king blames Elisha for telling him to hold out and promising deliverance.

Why?

the iron axhead fell into the water. Elisha can make it float up. 

Elisha can hear the word of the king of Aram and tell the king of Israel, Elisha made the army of Aram blind and went into the city of  Samaritan. But with mercy to treat these enemies. this is the love enemies come truth.

All of these miracles show that Elisah is the prophet of the Lord, no one can beyond our God!

Elish not only shows the mercy and greatness of the Lord but also shows the love and the right way to treat each other.

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斧頭是較貴重的東西。解決生活上的問題，即使細微之處神都照顧！不可思議的神蹟。

以利沙禱告，一個是使人眼睛看見，另外是使亞蘭兵丁眼目看不見。我們肉眼看不到，神早已安排。人以為看的到的，神使他們昏迷。人想要對付神，神自有辦法解決！以色列王稱以利沙為父，但是他仍然不敬畏神！以利沙用愛化解仇恨，對待敵人以愛相待。耶穌也是用愛來感動我們。

亞蘭王便哈達三世來圍困撒馬利亞，物價飛漲！以色列王對於飢荒沒有辦法！撕裂衣服並沒有悔改，反而追究以利沙，要抓以利沙！認為災禍從耶和華來的，反而抱怨神、責怪神、離開神！應該悔改更多仰望耶和華！

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How?

Love each other and trust in the Lord, for the Lord loves me beyond what I know. Don't be afraid those who are with us are more than those who are with them.