Why do we have two eyes placed just where they are? A fly has compound eyes. That why it’s hard to catch him by surprise. And a rabbit has an eye on each side of his head so that he can see the fox creeping up behind him. What kind of eyes does your dog or cat have?
Our two eyes look straight ahead. God made us that way, and God has control of our eyes. Here’s a story about that, and since it’s one of God’s stories, we know it’s true.
The prophet Elisha and his young servant were in a town of Israel called Dothan. Benhadad, king of Syria, was making war against Israel. He did not like Elisha, because all his secret plans became known to the king of Israel. Elisha was the servant of God, and God had told him what Benhadad’s war plans were, and then Elisha told them to the king of Israel. When Benhadad learned that Elisha was the one telling his plans to the king of Israel, he made plans to capture Elisha.
Elisha also knew Benhadad’s secret plans to catch him, and this made Benhadad angry. He sent horses and chariots at night and surrounded the whole town of Dothan so that Elisha had no way to escape. He probably thought, For sure he will be caught now!
Elisha’s young servant got up early and looked out and saw the enemy surrounding the city, and he was terrified! Alas, master! What shall we do?
But Elisha knew what God could do. And perhaps you and I know better still what God has done! We know that God sent His beloved Son to die for us. And if the devil with all his angels tries to take us from God’s hand, it is impossible! “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)). Do you see how safe believers are? And Elisha’s young servant was about to see God’s plan of safety.
Elisha prayed, Lord, open the young man’s eyes that he may see! And the Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. That’s mighty safe, don’t you think?
Then Elisha asked the Lord to strike the Syrians with blindness. Now a blind soldier can’t fight, so he must be led. Elisha said he would lead them to the man they were looking for, and he led them to the city of Samaria. It was a long journey on foot, but they had no choice but to follow, growing hungrier and thirstier by the minute. When they arrived, Elisha asked the Lord to open their eyes. They discovered they were helpless, right in the middle of the enemy city of Samaria where the king of Israel lived.
The king of Israel saw his chance. Shall I kill them?
No, said Elisha. Feed them and send them home. By this kind treatment of Israel’s enemy, Elisha overcame evil with good. And the Syrians planned no more raids on the land of Israel.
Those soldiers went home fed and rested, but it didn’t change their hearts. And perhaps all the good things God has given you have not changed your heart either. Will you let God open your eyes to see His beloved Son Jesus who died for you? He offers salvation because He loves you, but if you say “no,” He will be your judge one day. His offer of salvation is open right now, but it will not be open forever. Will you come to Him now and not wait for some other day? “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)).
You may read this story for yourself in 2 Kings 6:8-238Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10And 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 nor twice. 11Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel? 12And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. 13And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. 14Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. 15And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 18And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. 20And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? 22And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. 23And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. (2 Kings 6:8‑23).
ML-12/07/2014