[2KG:6:8-23]; [LUK:11:9-13].
Lesson 315 - Senior
Memory Verse
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:13).
Cross References
I The Frustration of the Enemy
1. God reveals the enemy's plans to Elisha, [2KG:6:8-9]; [1KG:20:22]. 2. Israel is saved through heeding the warnings, [2KG:6:10]; [DEU:6:24]; [DEU:8:1]. 3. God knows the thoughts of all men, [2KG:6:11-12]; [PS:139:1-4]; [PS:147:5]; [1CH:28:9]; [HEB:4:12].II God's Care for His Own
1. A great host surrounds Dothan, [2KG:6:13-15]; [PS:27:3]; [PS:91:1-16]; [PS:118:6]. 2. Elisha has faith, [2KG:6:16]; [2CH:32:7]. 3. The young man's eyes are opened, [2KG:6:17]; [NUM:22:31]; [LUK:24:31]; [LUK:10:23-24]; [EPH:1:18]. 4. The enemy is blinded, [2KG:6:18-20]; [EPH:4:18]; [2CO:4:3-4]. 5. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him," [2KG:6:21-23]; [ROM:12:20]; [PRO:25:21]. 6. "Ask, and ye shall receive," [LUK:11:9-13]; [JHN:14:12-14]; [JHN:16:23-24]; [MAT:7:7-11].Notes
Intelligence Service
The element of surprise has ever been an important factor in warfare. To overcome this element, man has employed numerous methods of espionage and sent out observers on land and sea and in the air. In recent years many new devices such as radar and sound equipment have been used to detect the presence of the ene-my. Often, ships have been saved and troops warned by such detecting devices. Long before the advent of modern inventions, Israel was saved through a greater intelligence service than man has been able to devise. God, who looks down and reads the thoughts of man, relayed to his prophet the very ideas that the king of Syria had in his bedchamber, even before his plans were presented to his generals. This Intelligence Service saved Israel on numerous occasions by putting them on their guard. It is a source of comfort to God's children today to know that Satan can make no surprise-attack upon the Christian without cognisance first being taken by God, and that He has provided them with ample defence to meet the attack. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" [1CO:10:13]).Fear Not
When the king of Syria heard that Elisha was the one whom God used to relay His messages, he immediately sent to take that man of God. Why does mortal man think that he is able to thwart the plans and work of the Almighty? Too often man feels he can escape God's eternal edicts. With his armies encircling the small town of Dothan it seemed to the king of Syria a simple matter to take this one lone man. This would have been the case if the army had only man with whom to reckon. To some people the Word of God that "the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them" might seem like a vague, poetical phrase, but to Elisha it was a living reality. It is not likely that the heavenly host was always visible to Elisha, but in time of need he knew it was there. Elisha was a man who lived close enough to God always to know what to do. His instructions came from Heaven. His ear was in tune with his Creator. When his servant saw the host of the Syrians surrounding the city, and in consternation cried out, "Alas, my master! How shall we do?" Elisha was not alarmed nor troubled about his next move. "Fear not", were the reassuring words of the man who knew his God. Then in a simple request he asked the Lord to open the eyes of the young man. The servant's natural vision was not impaired. He could see the Syrian army as they moved into position to take the city. Elisha wanted him to get a glimpse of what he had seen, "The chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof" [2KG:2:12]).Natural and Spiritual Eyesight
It is easy to let one's eyes be so filled with the objects round about him that his spiritual visibility is zero. It is the work of the enemy to so surround a person with the cares of this life that his time and energy are en-tirely consumed in worldly pursuits. An earthly ambition can fill a person's vision so completely that the heavenly goal is entirely obscured. From a spiritual standpoint such a one is driving at a reckless pace in a blinding fog. "To be carnally minded is death" [ROM:8:6]). "They are the enemies of the cross of Christ: . . . who mind earthly things" [PHL:3:18];[PHL:3:19]). May the Lord open the eyes of all to see beyond the horizon of this sphere on which we live. Elisha's eyes were opened when he left all and began to follow Elijah. He saw the chariot of fire when with determination he stayed with Elijah to the end. Our eyes will be opened when we start to seek after heavenly things; and if we pursue that course steadfastly unto the end, all the glories of Heaven will some day break into our view, and the worldly pleasures of earth will seem so cheap and insignificant that we shall wonder what we ever saw in them. What are these things for which men barter their souls? How fleeting are the days of man upon earth! To one who had laboured hard for this world's goods, God said: "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" [LUK:12:20]).A Prayer
May the prayer of every Christian be: "Lord, open the eyes of the sinners that they may see the folly of their own ways, and the beauties and advantages of the Gospel. May they recognize the difference between the temporal and the eternal. And may those who know God get an ever clearer vision of that path 'that shineth more and more unto the perfect day' [PRO:4:18]). Lord, open the eyes of the young men that are wasting their time on things that profit little and neglecting godliness that 'is profitable unto all things' [1TM:4:8]),"Impenetrable Defence
"And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw" -" and what a view! The mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. What chance had the enemy to penetrate that line of defence? "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper: . . . This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD" [ISA:54:17]). Satan said of Job. "Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?" [JOB:1:10]). God has armament for every child of His, that neither Satan nor any force of hell can overcome. When the enemy came down to Elisha he asked the Lord to smite them with blindness. God answered, and the man of God led the docile, blind army into the midst of Samaria. Imagine their surprise and chagrin when their eyes were opened and they found themselves captives in the midst of Samaria. When the eyes of Elisha's servant were opened he saw victory. When the eyes of the Syrians were opened they saw defeat.Simple Faith
What unquestioning faith Elisha had when he talked with God! Waiting until the army had moved right down upon him, he simply asked God to smite them with blindness, and God smote them with blindness. Jesus instructs us to have this same implicit faith by telling us, "Ask, and it shall be given you." Then, realizing our unbelief, he gives the plainest of all examples: "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?" What could be a greater encouragement to anyone to ask and believe that God will grant his request? "How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"