The King of Syria was waging war against the nation of Israel. He tried often to attack by surprise, but his army was continually foiled. Somehow, his top-secret war plans were being divulged to the king of Israel. So one day the Syrian king confronted his generals, saying, “Which of us is for the king of Israel?” (2 Kings 6:11).
They replied, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom” (verse 12).
Now enlightened, the king of Syria decided to kidnap the Lord’s agent. One night he sent a large army to encircle the little town of Dothan, where Elisha was staying. Early in the morning, Elisha’s assistant arose and discovered they were completely surrounded. When he saw the glitter of armor on thousands of soldiers and heard the snort of stomping horses, he rushed to Elisha and cried out, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (verse 15).
Elisha walked to the window, perhaps rubbing his eyes from the sleep, and calmly responded, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (verse 16). His young assistant must have been bewildered because of the huge army threatening them, but Elisha prayed, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” God immediately answered His messenger’s prayer. “Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (verse 17).
Who were these soldiers in chariots of fire? These supernatural beings that surrounded the town were angels sent from God. King David gives us this clue: “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around” (Psalm 3:6). Why could David be so confident? Because, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7).
I also pray that God will open our eyes as we consider what the Bible says about these very real but largely unseen beings.
They replied, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom” (verse 12).
Now enlightened, the king of Syria decided to kidnap the Lord’s agent. One night he sent a large army to encircle the little town of Dothan, where Elisha was staying. Early in the morning, Elisha’s assistant arose and discovered they were completely surrounded. When he saw the glitter of armor on thousands of soldiers and heard the snort of stomping horses, he rushed to Elisha and cried out, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (verse 15).
Elisha walked to the window, perhaps rubbing his eyes from the sleep, and calmly responded, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (verse 16). His young assistant must have been bewildered because of the huge army threatening them, but Elisha prayed, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” God immediately answered His messenger’s prayer. “Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (verse 17).
Who were these soldiers in chariots of fire? These supernatural beings that surrounded the town were angels sent from God. King David gives us this clue: “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around” (Psalm 3:6). Why could David be so confident? Because, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7).
I also pray that God will open our eyes as we consider what the Bible says about these very real but largely unseen beings.