In 2 Kings 6:1-71And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. 2Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. 3And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. 4So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. 5But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. 6And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. 7Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it. (2 Kings 6:1‑7) we have divine goodness to saints; in the verses which follow we have the same goodness extended to others also. This is on the principle of 1 Timothy 4:1010For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (1 Timothy 4:10), where the living God is declared to be “the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.” Only folly would introduce the salvation of the soul into such a passage. It simply affirms the truth of God’s providential interest in all His creatures. With this agrees Psalm 145:99The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalm 145:9): “The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works.”
Continuing our study of 2 Kings 6 from verse 8, we have first Jehovah addressing Himself once more to Jehoram, King of Israel’s ten tribes. He took great pains with this man, yet we have no reason to believe that anything resulted from it, so hopeless is flesh. We are reminded of the apostle’s warning in Hebrews 6:7-87For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6:7‑8): “The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God; but that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” The “rain” of God’s goodness fell “oft” upon Jehoram, but no fruit for God is discoverable in the record of his life in consequence of it.
War having again broken out between Syria and Israel, the King of Syria found that his plans were becoming known to his antagonist in some mysterious way. Being much perplexed thereat, he charged his staff with treachery, and was informed by them, “Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the King of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.” And indeed this was true, for several times the man of God had sent messages to Jehoram, saying, “Beware that thou pass not such a place, for thither the Syrians are come down. And the King of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there not once or twice.”
Let none suppose that the divine interest is confined to the Church. The Church is indeed a very special thing in the earth, united as one body to Christ its Head in heaven, and being such is tenderly cared for with all the strength of infinite love. But all men, even though unappreciative of the wonderful grace of God revealed in the gospel, are nevertheless the creatures of His hand, and He cannot but feel an interest in their welfare. It was intended that Jehoram should learn that deliverance does not depend upon “men, money, and munitions.” There is at all times a God to be reckoned with, who is well able to circumvent all the designs of the mightiest enemy, and to give deliverance apart from military efforts altogether. Kings and their advisers should remember that the secrets of the council chamber (however carefully kept from the people) are all known to God. “With Him all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and He doeth according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say unto Him, What doest Thou!” (Dan. 4:3535And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Daniel 4:35)). These are lessons that God would teach the leaders of men in this day; happy would it be for all concerned if they would but learn them! One of the mightiest monarchs of antiquity was given to understand that “the heavens do rule.” Being unwilling to acknowledge it, fearful disaster fell upon him. Ultimately the broken king was enabled to say, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of Heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgement, and those that walk in pride He is able to abase” (Dan. 4:3737Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. (Daniel 4:37)). The schemes of the haughty are speedily frustrated when God is pleased to act. Surely such a God is worthy of men’s faith and prayers!