Our Fiery Shield – 2 Kings 6:1-23

On January 8, 1956, Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Peter Fleming, Ed McCully and Roger Youderian were slain by 10 Waodani warriors, who had been led to believe by another Waodani that the missionaries intended to attack them, a lie he told to cover up an impropriety on his part. But as they stood over the dead bodies, ready to dishonor them, there was a strange rustling in the tree tops and they witnessed powerful beings, warriors, who scared them off.

Why didn’t God send His angels sooner to keep the Waodani from killing His missionaries? As we know now their sacrifice led to the conversion of the Waodani and the inspiration for many more to join the missionary venture. God is our shield, as Elisha will show his servant, and He chooses how He will protect us.

Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.

Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.

And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria.

As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the LORD opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel. (2 Kings 6:1-23, ESV)

This whole section of 2 Kings has been showing the power of God displayed through Elisha and how that is holding two nations, Israel and Syria, to account. The experience with raising the iron axe head is one more telling reason why Elisha should be listened to, but instead the king of Israel, as we shall see in the latter part of this chapter, views Elisha as the problem. And yet Elisha is protecting the king’s life by revealing where the king of Syria lies in wait for him. The king of Syria, on the other hand, also should realize that God is with Elisha and should seek his counsel on matters religious but instead seeks to kill him, only to be thwarted by Elisha’s God.

Many times we have evidence of God’s presence and protection and power all around us but like Elisha’s servant we can’t see it. We are too occupied with our lives and our concerns and with the sense that it is up to us to make good of our lives. We believe that it is by human strength that one prevails (1 Samuel 2, the words of Hannah). This blindness is spiritual and like the king of Syria’s troops sent to fetch Elisha, we get easily led in ways that expose us to great danger. Is God trying to get through to you? Ask Him to open your eyes and do not doubt any longer that He alone is our shield and our glory and the lifter of our heads (Psalm 3).

Does being our shield mean that He will never let us experience harm? No, as the lives of countless martyrs can attest. But we can trust that if His purpose for us is to continue serving Him in this life He is more than capable of shielding us from our enemies and from harm.