BUT HE LED THEM TO SAMARIA -- Monday:
The king of Syria had sent a battalion of soldiers to arrest the prophet Elisha. They did not realize what they were doing. As they surrounded Dothan, Elisha prayed to the Lord, "Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness." Immediately, "according to the word of Elisha," God struck them blind (v 18). At that point, in a most provocative passage, Elisha said to the blinded army, "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for" (NIV). Immediately, even though appearance seemed to justify that the Assyrians were in charge, Elisha took over the situation. He told them they were on the wrong road, in the wrong city, and needed to be guided to the man they sought, which was the very one standing before them.
Some novice might object, saying that Elisha did not tell them the truth. Care must be taken, however, not to judge this incident as men in the flesh. You must remember that when God sent Samuel to anoint David king, he remonstrated, saying "If Saul hear it, he will kill me." The Lord allayed his fears saying, "Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD" (1 Sam 16:2). Although that was not the full intent of Samuel's visit, he really did offer a sacrifice. Similarly, Elisha really was from Samaria, and was about to return there (2 Kgs 5:3). Also, he would really show himself to the army when got there.
Scripture says when Elisha had led the soldiers into Samaria, he prayed again. "LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria" (v 20). While there, the king of Israel seeing them, asked Elisha if they should kill the Syrians. The prophet forbade it, saying he should feed the formerly hostile army instead (v 21-23). The outcome of the whole event is edifying. After receiving nourishment, the Syrians returned to their own master. It is then recorded, "So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel" (v 23). They had learned a valuable lesson. There are some people who simply should not be opposed. Elisha, who quickly took over the situation in the name of the Lord, was not a man to pursue. God was with him.
There are also places that are more appropriate for insight than others. Dothan, for example, where Elisha was residing when the Syrians came after him, was where Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites (Gen 37:17). Although the city of Samaria was only about four miles away, it was the capital city of the Northern kingdom of Israel. It was about forty-two miles from Jerusalem, and was a more immediate place with which to identify the prophet of God. This was also the city where Jacob's well was found, which made it historically more prominent (John 4:5). Some Divine judgments and chastening occurred in Samaria, but it still played a more prominent role in the life of Israel than Dothan. It is fitting, therefore, that the Syrians be led to such a city, where their eyes would be opened.
A valuable lesson can be learned from this event. When seeking for the eyes of people to be opened, we should seek the best place for that to occur – a place that is more readily associated with the Living God, and less with His judgments. In so doing, we will more inclined to be merciful and kind.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for people, places, and things that have Divine associations.