Click Above to Listen!
A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. NOT SEEING IS BELIEVING
A. GOD IS IN CONTROL OVER POLITICS
>1. EXERCISING PATRIOTISM
II Kg 6:8-10 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At a certain location I’ll make my camp.”
Elisha sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware not to pass this place, for the Syrians are going to be there.”
The king of Israel sent troops where the man of God told him. (Thus he warned him and saved his life more than one or two times.
(also Rom 13:1-5; I Tim 2:1-3; I Pet 2:17)
>2. ELEMENTARY DEDUCTION
II Kg 6:11-12 The king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he asked his servants, “Show me the traitor working for the Israelis.”
One of his servants said, “No one, my lord, O king. It is Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, telling the king of Israel even words spoken in your bedroom.”
(also Eph 6:10-11; II Tim 2:25; I Pet 5:8)
B. GOD IS IN CONTROL OF THE MILITARY
II Kg 6:13-15 The king said, “Go, find out where he is, that I may capture him.” It was told him, “Lo, he is in Dothan.” Immediately he dispatched horses, chariots and infantry at night to surround the city.
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?”
>1. ELUSIVE PREY
(also II Tim 3:12; Jn 15:19-20)
>2. ECLIPSED VISION
(also I Pet 2:19-20; 3:17; 4:15)
C. GOD IS IN CONTROL OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM
II Kg 6:16-17 He said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.”
Elisha prayed, asking, “YHWH, please open his eyes that he may see.”
YHWH opened the eyes of the young man, and what he saw were the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.
>1. ETERNAL SECURITY
(also Prov 3:5-6; 29:25; Is 41:10; I Jn 4:4)
>2. ELATED PERSPECTIVE
(also Ps 27:1-3; 3:6; II Chron 32:7-8)
II. SEEING IS NOT BELIEVING
A. GOD IS IN CONTROL OF THE INDIVIDUAL
II Kg 6:18-20 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to YHWH, “Please strike them blind.” God did so in answer to Elisha’s prayer.
Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, this is not the city – follow me, and I will take you to the man you seek.” And he led them to Samaria.
When they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O YHWH, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” God opened their eyes and they saw they were in the middle of Samaria.
>1. EXPLICIT FAITH
(also Luke 18:1; James 5:16-18)
>2. EVASIVE ANSWERS
(also II Cor 4:4; Acts 26:18)
B. GOD IS IN CONTROL OF THE FUTURE
II Kg 6:21-23 When the king of Israel saw this, he asked Elisha, “My father, should I strike them down? Should I strike them down?”
He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword or your bow? Set bread and water before them that they may eat and drink and return to their master.”
So he prepared for them a great feast, and after eating, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians stopped raiding Israel.
>1. EXPRESSED KINDNESS
(also Mt 5:43-45; Rom 12:18-20)
>2. EXEMPLARY CONDUCT
(also II Cor 2:14-16; Gen 50:19-21)