2 Kings 7:1–10 But Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD: thus says the LORD, Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.” Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned said to the man of God, “If the LORD himself should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” But he said, “You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it.” Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, ‘Let us enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die.” So they arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians. But when they came to the edge of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no one there. For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians hear the sound of chariots and of horses, the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to come against us.” So they fled away in the twilight and abandoned their tents, their horses, and their donkeys, leaving the camp as it was, and fled for their lives. And when these lepers came to the edge of the camp, they went into a tent and ate and drank, and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and went and hid them. Then they came back and entered another tent and carried off things from it and went and hid them. Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king’s household.” So they came and called to the gatekeepers of the city and told them …
Great was the sin of Israel. As a nation, they turned from the God of mercy, grace, salvation, glory, and wisdom. They made Him their enemy. Consequently, God allowed them to wander deeper and deeper into their spiritual whoredom. He turned them over to their sins, and they delighted in their debauchery.
Great were the consequences of Israel. Pain was experienced throughout individuals, families, cities, and nations. In this particular episode, Syria was besieging Samaria. Death and destruction were at the gates. Food was scarce. Cannibalism was being considered. Hope was gone, and it appeared God was as well.
Great was the promise of God. Through Elisha, the Lord promised to come to their rescue. He promised fine food for cheap prices in the morning. Somehow, despite the surrounding army, God would provide bread for his prodigal and very hungry people.
Great was the doubting of some. When the king’s captain heard the promise of good news from Elisha, he responded with unbelief. He reasoned even God couldn’t or wouldn’t bring this about. Sadly, another prophetic word was given to this disbelieving officer. Remaining in his unbelief, he would see the fulfilled promise of God, but he would not be privileged to enjoy God’s merciful provision.
Great was the salvation of God.During the night, the Lord easily vanquished the forces of darkness as he loved his unfaithful friends. The Syrians heard. They reasoned. They feared. They fled, leaving everything behind. Then, early in the morning, a group of needy lepers made their way to the abandoned Syrian camp were they recognized the salvation of the Lord. Imagine how they ate, drank, celebrated, clothed themselves and thoroughly enjoyed the blessings of God.
Great was their repentance. Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right.” (7:9) What was the transgression of these graced lepers? What troubled their consciences? According to the inspired text, it was a day of good news, they had learned of and enjoyed God’s blessings, but they had remained selfishly silent. However, they were internally informed and troubled. They knew they should be sharing the good news with the king and his people. Therefore, internally moved and affect, they had a heart and mind to do something different. They wanted to proclaim the glorious truth they had discovered.
Great were the fruits of their repentance. The graced lepers then followed their affected hearts. Their repentant minds and souls were proven by loving hands and feet. Immediately, they went to the city and communicated the undeserved and unfathomable grace of God. They practiced love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. The salvation, worked for them by God, worked in them by God, was being worked through them by God. They became busy doing good works. Those sinful saints, they practiced their sanctification.
And what was the consequence? Because those lepers repented of their selfish silence, because they practiced their repentance, people heard and responded in faith. They left their city of bondage and enjoyed the undeserved and unfathomable grace, mercy, and blessings from the hand of their faithful God. Because sinful lepers repented of their silence, great was the number of souls who heard about and tasted God’s free gift.
Friends, I see the need. All about me are sinful, struggling, suffering, sad, and sentenced people. They have rejected God and his good ways. They have made a mess of things, and their spiral has not yet hit rock-bottom. Can you see their iniquity? Can you see their insanity? Do you know their possible end?
I also see the good news. Personally, I have experienced the fantastic blessings of being adopted by the Father, married to the Son, and filled with the Spirit. God has shown me my sin, shown me my Savior, proclaimed to me the Good News of paid-for sins, gifted righteousness, and perpetual communion. He has opened my eyes, brought me to his banqueting table, given me food, drink, and righteous clothing, and promised he would never leave my side. Great is his longsuffering kindness. Great is his mercy and grace. Great is his faithfulness!
Today, I am a repenting leper. I see my enjoyment and celebration of God’s provision, and for this I make no apology. However, I also see my selfish indulgence coupled with somewhat muted lips. My insides are affected. My conscience is awakened. My affections are inflamed. I want to do something different. I am repenting.
Therefore, today and tomorrow, I intend to show forth the glorious fruits of God’s gift of repentance. I want to …
- Better enjoy God’s free gift to me. I want to eat and drink with Jesus.
- Pray for further opportunities to show and share.
- Let my light shine before men that they might see and ask questions.
- Take advantage of divine opportunities to sow, water, and even harvest.
- Invite neighbors to meet my God, meet my worshiping friends, and hear the Good News.
- Preach the Gospel with greater fervor.
- Fund local and international missions.
- Utilize the world-wide-web as I seek to encourage friends and foes to enjoy God’s gracious bounty.
Friends, today I repent. Today, I look for hungry sinners who need spiritual bread. Today, I ask, “Will you be a repenting leper too?”
Unfathomable Grace 