Lessons From Lesser Knowns: Finding God In Overlooked ScriptureSýnishorn

Odd Obedience

The prophet Elisha did some pretty weird things. He purified a toxic spring by throwing a bowlful of salt into it (2 Kgs. 2:20-22), raised a dead boy by stretching out on top of him (2 Kgs. 4:34-35), removed poison from stew by tossing some flour into it (2 Kgs. 4:41), and made an ax head float in the Jordan River (2 Kgs. 6:6). But his odd behavior wasn’t to gain himself notoriety; he did it all because God told him to. 

Elisha’s obedience was immediate and unquestioning: God wanted to provide for a widow and her two sons. No problem. Elisha immediately told her to gather as many jars as possible and fill them with the olive oil. God would multiply the tiny bit she had (2 Kgs. 4:5-6). And then God said that an enemy general’s leprosy would be cured if he bathed in the Jordan seven times. So Elisha simply communicated God’s unusual message to the powerful military leader (2 Kgs. 5:10).

Given Elisha’s history of obedience, his response to threats from the Aramean army shouldn’t surprise us: “When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. ‘Oh, sir, what will we do now?’ the young man cried to Elisha. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ Elisha told him. ‘For there are more on our side than on theirs!’” (2 Kings 6:15-16, NLT) Why wasn’t Elisha worried? 

Because he was aware of what God was doing behind the scenes. Elisha prayed for the Lord to open his servant’s eyes, and the man saw past the physical crisis in front of him to the spiritual reality of a hillside covered with chariots of fire—an angel army standing ready (2 Kgs. 6:17).

But, as the enemy soldiers advanced toward them, Elisha didn’t do what we might expect. He didn’t ask God to send His angel army to destroy the Arameans. Instead, he prayed for his enemies to be blinded. Then he led them to Samaria, where he ordered that they be given a feast and sent home. How could Elisha feed these violent invaders and then let them go?

Just like with every other seemingly odd thing Elisha did, he acted on God’s character, extending undeserved grace and an opportunity to change. What a testimony! 

Elisha knew God’s desire for Israel and mankind so well that he obeyed without question, even when God’s words didn’t make sense. Because he knew his Creator’s heart and trusted Him completely, Elisha was a clear conduit for God’s work, demonstrating the Lord’s astonishing power to Israel and the surrounding nations.

God wants all of us to know Him as deeply as Elisha did so that we, too, can live in surrendered obedience, responding to even the most confusing circumstances in a way that reflects His heart.

Chew On This:

• How do you think Elisha became so obedient to God’s voice?
• How have you seen God work in an unexpected way in your own life? 
• How can you become more sensitive to what God is doing behind the scenes in your life and the lives of others?