Elisha-This is not the Road You are Looking For.

By Mary Vee
II Kings 6:19

From A Spy in the Israelite Army's Journal

I started this story last week, if you want to read the first half, click here

I could barely contain my laughter while waiting to tell you the rest of the story.

Once Elisha prayed for God to open his servant, Gehazi's eyes, the situation still needed to be resolved.

Prepare yourself to laugh as you read what happened next.

Elisha went outside the city gate toward the army. Remember, God struck the army with blindness at the end of the story last time. Elisha found the commander and said, "This is not the road and this is not the city you are looking for. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you seek."

Elisha led the Aramean army to the city of Samaria. It took quite awhile to get there since the men couldn't see. 

Now the city of Samaria is where the king of Israel lived. Oh, you are figuring out what happened next, aren't you?

Elisha led the army inside the city gates and said, "Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see." As soon as he finished speaking, the men looked around and saw they were inside Samaria and had become captured prisoners.

The king of Israel ran toward Elisha and said. "You brought them here? By yourself?" He looked stunned and not sure what to do. "Should I kill them, my father? Should I?"

Elisha shook his head. "No. Do not kill them. Would you kill men captured with your sword or bow?" He held his hand out toward the army. "Set food and water before them, let them eat and drink then let them return to their master."

Really? He wanted us to be kind to our enemy? The king of Israel did as Elisha instructed. 

What happened next? Well, the bands of armies from Aram stopped raiding the Israelite cities and territory.

Being kind to the enemy isn't always the battle strategy given by God. It was this time. Perhaps it was because He knew the hearts of the people of Aram. 

God knows my heart and yours as well. He will help us to learn using what is best.

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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Elisha went outside the city gate where he hid and spoke to _____________
2. He told them ______________________
3. And asked them to follow him to find _____________________.
4. Once inside the Samarian city gate, Elisha prayed to God and asked Him to __________
5. The soldiers ___________ their eyes and were afraid.
6. The Israelite king asked Elisha if he could ____________
7. What were Elisha's instructions for the army?