God with us

Immanuel - God With Us

The story of Elisha trapping the ‘blinded’ Arameans in 2 Kings 6:8-23 is a good read. It also has much to teach us. There he was, king of Aram (Syria), the world at his feet. The last barrier to his local world domination was that pesky bunch, Israel. The king declares war on Israel but all does not go according to plan.

He sets traps here, lays ambushes there, plans skirmishes all over. Yet every time he makes a plan, Israel counters it easily and quickly. Poor old king is furious. He accuses one of his own of spying for Israel and leaking all his plans. His generals were probably terrified at this – whoever did this was in for the chop – literally.  Head off, family cast out, not a good prospect. Then a brighter than average spark remembers that Israel has a prophet – a seer in their terms – one who sees things.

Imagine the kings fury at being told, “Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.’” Don’t discount this. The people of this time were very accustomed to the supernatural and could probably teach us a thing or two about it too. The king ordered Elisha to be brought before him. “Elisha is in Dothan.” “Send a large troop to capture him and bring him to me,” ordered the king. Off they went, a fair-sized army contingent, all to capture one man.

When they arrive, Elisha is not in the least concerned and he shows his frightened servant why this is so. God had protected them with the Lord’s army – the horsemen and chariots of Israel. Elisha prayed for the Arameans to be ‘blinded’ – not literally but blind to where they were. He then led the whole lot of them into captivity. Then, amazingly, he showed them great kindness and mercy by feeding them and sending them back whence they came.  The king of Aram was not a complete idiot. Realising that Israel had weapons he knew nothing about that would defeat him in a trice, he gave up his quest, made peace and they all went home safely.

The point of all of this is to show us that whatever our position, with God on or side, we can know our enemy, we will defeat our enemy at very little cost to ourselves. God showed that He was with Israel in an unmistakeable way. He told them of the enemy plans. He warned them of the approaching armies. He confused the enemy and provided amazing supernatural protection for Israel. He captured the enemy without a drop of blood spilled in anger. Then He showed his mercy to the “sinners” by looking after them and returning them all safely to their own loved ones.

The story brings a whole new meaning to “Immanuel - God With Us” doesn’t it? To me, it shows the Trinity at work long before we knew or comprehended the term ‘Trinity’. Long before Jesus came, He was here among us, working with Holy Spirit to protect us in accord with the Father’s will.

Hallelujah – wonderful glorious God \o/