1. Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” 2. The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?”
“You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”
Certainly. we live in a world of turmoil. People who are suffering will do anything to get out of their situation in many incidences. The news in Gaza is bleak. The animosity against Israel is growing, even though over 100 hostages are still held captive.
Due to the war many innocent people are killed, homeless, hungry, and without hope. This week the floating pier is being put in place to provide needed supplies of food and drink and other necessities to the people. Will it be good news? Will it be carried out as hoped to alleviate some of the suffering.
There is great amount of political pressure being placed on Israel, but the people who are suffering the most are the citizens who are both Palestinians and Israelis. The bitter conflict between these groups didn’t just start in the 1940’s but has been part of the fulfillment of prophecy since Abraham between Ishmael, and Isaac. People are really suffering. There are refugee camps for the poor. There are people in Gaza without the basics of food and water. There are people in Israel whose independence is denied by their neighbors. The complications of international intrigue are many. There are none who are guiltless. Yet, Israel is the only democratic nation in the area and the most prosperous.
The lack of food and water of those deprived, however, is capturing the attention of the world. How humanitarian aide is met is with suspicion since Hamas, the ruling Palestinian party abuses their power and uses the international concerns to cover up some of its operations. There are no easy answers.
Political intrigue, national suffering, individual depravity, and the workings of God are evidenced in our world today. Those elements also show themselves in history past. This is the scene in Elisha's day many thousands of years ago.
God is merciful to Israel even when its leaders and key people are seeking to build a kingdom for themselves instead of God. The Nation of Israel, presently in rebellion, is confronted many times with the power of God so that they may repent of their sins, turn to God with trust and obedience.
God is like that. He tries repeatedly to win people to Himself, but in so doing, I can't help but see this as a larger and more appropriate lesson for our world to recognize God's offer of salvation and grace to mankind today.
The story of Samaria is the story of salvation. In this story we see people experiencing God's blessings and the responsibility of others to tell the good news. God has blessed us and given us Good News to share.
Application: Who do you need to tell this Good News to.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of salvation and the grace that you show to me and all mankind. Even when we are faithless, you remain faithful. We Praise and thank you Lord, God.
