8. Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place." 9. The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there." 10. So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. 11. This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?" 12. "None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom." 13. "Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: "He is in Dothan." 14. Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
Notice the proud king of Aram in his folly who says, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place." He has the same misconception that believes the greatest military power and muscle will win his conquests. Whether it is the forces of Israel, the armies of United States, the power of China or the zeal of the middle East, true power is not in how confident you are in conducting your desires, but whether you seek to serve the Lord.
There is something to be said about those who have commitment and determination. Joshua was a courageous fighter who believed the Lord and through military strength God blessed him. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us, “There is a time for war and a time for peace, a time for every purpose under heaven."
The King of Aram found that the King of Israel was always prepared against his attacks. He was convinced there was a mole, a spy revealing the secrets to Israel. But it was the Lord who revealed the secret plans of the enemy to Elisha. Elisha then told the king of Israel so they were adequately prepared.
Vs. 12,13 reveals the king’s folly. He thinks that if he can eliminate the prophet of God, therefore he can win his little wars. He fails to understand that he is facing God, not Elisha. Even if he could get Elisha out of the way, God was displaying His glory and power. He cannot fight God.
How quickly one forgets. It was one of the generals of Aram who was healed of leprosy. What made the King think he could fight God? It is folly to think that you can continue to cover up your activities. The all-knowing God not only knows of your activities, but also your very thoughts. You cannot fight God.
I am amazed with people who call themselves Christians who think they can get away with their sin, continuing to lie and cover up things that God will judge. It didn't work for King David with his sin with Bathsheba, and it won't work with us. Eventually God will reveal all things before us, even those things done in secret and done again His name. God works amidst our folly.
One man said he wanted to provide the best things for his family. He went to school extra evenings. He was at work early, stayed late. He was able to get a nice house, automobile, cabin, boat, clothes. But he came to his marriage counselor a broken man asking what he did wrong. He was a failure. His wife was going to divorce him. In fact, he was not a failure he was a success. He accomplished his goals. He did provide for his family according to what he thought best. Only he had the wrong goals. The most important thing in life was not to provide the best material things for one’s family. It was more important to give of himself.
God made King of Aram the laughingstock of Israel and will eventually do that to all with the rebellious and self-centered spirits.
Augustine said, "Let us not seek to bend the straight to the crooked, that is thy will to ours, but let us seek to bend the crooked to the straight, that is, our will to thine."
Take God’s Word as truth and align your will to His through His Word.
Prayer: Lord, let me never set any part of Your Word aside, but obey all that You have asked me to do.
