Ep. 139. 2 Kings 5-6 | Spiritual Eyes

EPISODE 139

SPIRITUAL EYES: 2 KINGS 5-6

Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army, and as we know, the Syrian army had been enemies to the people of Israel. That explains why Naaman would have a little girl from Israel as a servant in his household; she had been taken captive in a previous raid. 

For all the beauty of the miracle in which Naaman was healed, we need to be careful not to miss the application Jesus gave to this narrative in Luke. Naaman served as an example of God's rich grace toward the Gentile peoples. Of course, we know that the Gentiles have been included in God's blessing and grace since Genesis 12 when he first called Abraham.

In chapter six of our reading today, I find myself still amazed that Elisha seems to have always been able to see the spiritual presence of the army of God. He wasn't surprised even a little bit that those who were on his side outnumbered the Syrian army. He prayed that the eyes of his servant would be opened. It seems that Elisha's eyes were always open to this truth. I have prayed off and on for years that God would see fit to open my eyes to see as Elisha saw, but if I'm being sincere, I hope it isn't in public because I'm sure I'd freak out. (and not just a little) 

As I pointed out in the video, it is important to read the story of cannibalism we see at the end of Chapter 6 as God's judgment on the rebellious nation of Israel. God had already spoken through Moses in Deuteronomy that if his people were to rebel against him, they would sink to such levels of depravity that they would even consume their own children. This level of wickedness recounted for us in 2 Kings shows the depth of idolatry to which the nation of Israel had sunk. 

ADDITIONAL READING: Luke 4:16-28; Deuteronomy 28: 52-57