"Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see." 2 Kings 6:17.
"The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them," says Pro. 20:12, and it is as much the work of God to open the one as the other. When, as the anointed of Jehovah, the Lord Jesus entered upon His blessed service to man, we read in Luke 4:18 that one of His works of goodness and grace was to open the eyes of the blind. His words in John 9:39-41 make it quite clear that physical blindness was not the only thing contemplated in that wondrous service, nor indeed the main thing, for He came into this world "that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."
The beautiful incident recorded in 2 Kings 6, from which we quote the short direct prayer that stands at the head of this paper, has a most important lesson for us who are children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. How often do we feel ready to say, like the servant of the man of God, "Alas, my master! how shall we do?"
The king of Syria had wondered how his plans should so frequently become known to the king of Israel with whom he was at war, but it was the work of no treacherous spy. One of his own servants let out the secret of "the prophet that is in Israel," that "telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber."
The Syrian king's next move, therefore, is to take the prophet, and accordingly he attempts to cut off all escape by surrounding the prophet's house with his army. What a sight met the astonished gaze of Elisha's servant on that early morning as he found the prophet's house compassed on all sides by the great host of Syrian horses and chariots! What could two defenseless men do in the face of such a mighty company? Yet Elisha answers with perfect calmness, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." And he prays, not for deliverance, for that, with the opened eyes of faith, he already saw was amply provided; but that the eyes of his servant might be opened to see what God could do for those that trust in Him (Psalm 31:19, 20).
How often we find these words, "Fear not," on the lips of our blessed Master and Lord in the days of His sojourn here on earth. With them He heals the grief of Jairus, when he thought death had closed the door of hope as to the life of his beloved daughter (Luke 8:50); and with the same words He comforts the hearts of His disciples in view of apparent loss in this world through following Him (Luke 12:32). And again, "Fear not" is upon His lips when He lays His right hand of power upon the prostrate Apostle John in lonely Patmos, who, overcome by the awful majesty of His appearance, "fell at His feet as dead."
In each case too there is the same call for the faith that brings in God and His unfailing resources.
Elisha has no concern for himself, no fear of the Syrian hosts. It is delightful to think of that short prayer uttered in such simple faith: "LORD, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see." And how immediate the answer!—"And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw." Saw what? A very early forecast of the truth of the word repeated, or rather reproduced, in Rom. 8:31, "If God be for us, who can be against us?"
But again Elisha prays, and this time it is a very great contrast: "Smite this people, with blindness," which is also immediately answered. But it is not for judgment on his enemies that he prays thus; the prophet leads them to Samaria, and then once more the prayer is uttered: "Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see"; and with what consternation must the Syrians have found themselves "in the midst of Samaria."
But no thought of revenge or punishment is in the prophet's mind To the question of the king of Israel, "Shall I smite?" comes the wonderful answer, "Thou shalt not smite... set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master." What a lesson for us, dear fellow Christian, as to the power of grace! "So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel." What conquest could have affected such a result as that?
There are two spheres in which we may get a salutary lesson from these striking incidents—one as to our individual path and prospects, and the other as to the Church's need and state today. How often for ourselves in our family cares, business experiences, everyday trials and infirmities, we need to have our eyes opened as to who is for us, to remind ourselves of that love "that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all," and consequently, "How shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32). Yet in times of pressure and loneliness, have we not to watch against the inclination to say, "Alas,... how shall we do?"
But this is even more felt perhaps when we are exercised as to the state of the Lord's people, the condition of Christian testimony generally, and the many signs of rapidly approaching apostasy.
Here we may well learn something from Balaam's history. Hired by Balak to curse Israel, he is powerless so to do, notwithstanding his own will and love of gain; and we find he repeats, again and again, that he speaks as the man "who had his eyes shut, but now opened" (Numb. 24:3; margin).
Can we think what he would have said had his eyes not been opened? But what a commentary all he says is on the words of the prophet Elisha: "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." From the top of the rocks Balaam is made to bear an unwilling testimony to God's view of His earthly people, Israel. They are to Him a called, justified, and glory-destined people.
And, dear fellow-Christian, have we not an equal call to rise up to the thoughts of God about His people today? Think what they are to the heart of Him who "loved the church, and gave Himself for it," and waits expectantly for the moment when He shall "present it to Himself."