God's Hand in Facing Opposition¶
2 Kings 6:8-12, 15-23¶
Introduction¶
Icebreaker¶
Option A: "What did a schoolyard altercation look like when you were a child? How did you feel when you were outnumbered?"
Option B: "What’s your favorite come-from-behind, feel-good story from a movie or book where the underdog wins?"
Every believer is engaged in a spiritual battle. The opposition we face isn't always a physical army, but it is just as real. Today, we'll see a story that pulls back the curtain on this spiritual reality and reveals the overwhelming power of God on our side.
Core Message¶
This passage reveals a foundational truth for every believer facing trials, temptation, or opposition. The central message is:
God is more powerful than those who oppose us, and He invites us to see our battles from His perspective.
A Battle of Sight¶
The conflict between Aram and Israel, and specifically between the Aramean king and Elisha, unfolds in three phases, each revealing more about the nature of spiritual warfare.
Part 1: The Unseen War
Part 2: The Unseen Army
Part 3: The Unconventional Victory
Part 1: The Unseen War (2 Kings 6:8-12)¶
God's omniscience thwarts the enemy's plans.
2 Kings 6:8-12, BSB
8 Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”
9 Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful not to pass by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard.
11 This enraged the king of Aram, who called his servants and asked them, “Tell me, which one of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
12 “No one, my lord the king,” said one of his servants, “but Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
Context¶
Aram (Syria) and Israel are at war. The king of Aram, likely possessing a stronger military, is trying to use ambushes and strategic raids to defeat Israel. However, his every move is frustrated. He believes he has a traitor in his inner circle, a spy leaking his most secret plans.
The reality is far more supernatural. God, who is omniscient (all-knowing), is revealing the Aramean king's plans to His prophet, Elisha. Elisha, in turn, warns the king of Israel, who is able to avoid the traps. The war is being fought not just on the battlefield, but in the spiritual realm, where God's knowledge is the ultimate weapon.
Nothing is Beyond God's Knowledge¶
The Aramean king's servant gives a chilling summary of Elisha's power: he "tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom." This is a powerful statement about God's sovereignty. Nothing is hidden from Him. No plan, no secret, no whispered word is beyond His hearing.
For the believer, this is both a comfort and a conviction. - Comfort: God knows the opposition we face. He sees the enemy's plans and is not caught by surprise. He knows our struggles, our fears, and our needs. - Conviction: God also knows our hidden sins and secret thoughts. We can't hide from Him, so we should approach Him with honesty and repentance.
Discussion Questions¶
- How has God’s infinite knowledge affected your life, either as a comfort or a conviction?
- When has God used others to protect you from danger, spiritual or otherwise?
Part 2: The Unseen Army (2 Kings 6:15-17)¶
Fear gives way to faith when God opens our eyes to spiritual reality.
2 Kings 6:15-17, BSB
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early and went out, he saw an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. “Oh, my master, what shall we do?” he asked.
16 “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Context¶
The king of Aram, enraged, shifts his focus from the king of Israel to the prophet Elisha. He sends a "strong force" by night to Dothan to capture him. Elisha's servant wakes up, sees the city surrounded by a powerful army, and is terrified. From a purely physical perspective, their situation is hopeless.
A Prayer for Spiritual Sight¶
Elisha's response is calm and confident. His first statement seems illogical: "those who are with us are more than those who are with them." He sees a reality his servant cannot. He then prays one of the most powerful prayers in the Bible: "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see."
This was not a prayer for physical sight, but for spiritual sight. God answers immediately, and the servant sees the hills filled with a fiery, angelic army—God's army—protecting them. The spiritual reality was far greater than the physical threat. The servant's fear was based on an incomplete picture.
This is a crucial lesson for every believer. Our perception of spiritual realities is often limited. We see the problems, the opposition, the "army" surrounding us, and we panic. We need to pray for God to open our eyes to see His presence, His power, and His protection at work on our behalf. As 1 John 4:4 reminds us, "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
Discussion Questions¶
- Why is our human perception of spiritual realities often so limited?
- When have you sensed God’s unseen protection in your life?
Part 3: The Unconventional Victory (2 Kings 6:18-23)¶
God's victory is achieved not through destruction, but through mercy and grace.
2 Kings 6:18-23, BSB
18 As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
19 Then Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered that they were in Samaria.
21 And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”
22 “Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” 23 So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.
A Victory of Grace¶
With the enemy army blinded and helpless, Elisha leads them right into the heart of the Israelite capital, Samaria. The king of Israel, seeing his enemies delivered into his hands, is eager for slaughter: "Shall I kill them?"
Elisha's response is shocking. It's a complete reversal of the world's rules of warfare. He commands the king not to harm them, but to show them radical hospitality. "Set food and water before them... prepare a great feast for them."
This is a picture of spiritual victory in God's kingdom. It's not about destroying our enemies, but about overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:21). The king wanted retribution; God, through Elisha, commanded grace. Mercy (not giving them the death they deserved) and grace (giving them a feast they did not earn) were the weapons that won the final victory.
The result? "The Aramean raiders did not come into Israel’s land again." This act of kindness was more effective at stopping the raids than any military victory would have been.
Discussion Questions¶
- Why is it so hard to resist retaliating against those who oppose us?
- What are practical ways we can show kindness and grace to those who oppose us?
Application & Practical Living¶
This passage calls us to a radical new way of viewing and engaging in the battles of life.
Three Practical Applications¶
1. Request Spiritual Insight.¶
When you face opposition, your first prayer should be, "Lord, open my eyes." Ask God to give you His perspective on the situation. Seek His viewpoint and understanding before you react in fear or anger.
2. Recognize God's Protection.¶
Study what God's Word says about His power and protection. Memorize a verse like 2 Kings 6:16: "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Recognize His constant presence with you.
3. Reconcile with Your Enemies.¶
The ultimate goal of spiritual warfare is not to win arguments or defeat people, but to win hearts for Christ. Speak words of forgiveness and compassion to those who oppose you. Be merciful by setting aside the desire to blame. Make reconciliation your goal.
Weekly Challenges¶
1. The "Open My Eyes" Prayer (Reflection)¶
This week, when you face a challenge or feel opposed, stop and pray a simple prayer: "Lord, open my eyes to see what You are doing." Keep a journal of how this prayer changes your perspective.
2. The Verse of Confidence (Action)¶
Commit 2 Kings 6:16 to memory. Write it on a notecard and put it somewhere you will see it every day. Let it be your first thought when you feel outnumbered or afraid.
3. The "Great Feast" (Attitude)¶
Identify one person in your life who feels like an "enemy" or opponent. This week, do one unexpected act of kindness for them. It could be a kind word, a small gift, or a simple prayer for their well-being.
Supplementary Discussion Questions¶
- What are some ways God opens our eyes and allows us to see what He is doing today?
- How does this passage change your understanding of "victory" in a spiritual sense?
- What is the difference between being a peacemaker and being a doormat?
- How can we fight spiritual battles without becoming judgmental or self-righteous?
Extra Context & Background¶
Historical & Cultural Notes¶
- Dothan: A city in the northern part of Israel, located in a plain and surrounded by hills, which made it easy for the Aramean army to surround.
- Horses and Chariots of Fire: This is a direct link to the story of Elijah's ascension into heaven (
2 Kings 2:11). It represents the awesome, fiery, and powerful presence of God's angelic army. - Blindness: The Hebrew word suggests a temporary, disorienting blindness or confusion, rather than permanent physical blindness. It was a divine intervention to neutralize the threat without destroying the soldiers.
- Hospitality to Enemies: Elisha's command to feed the enemy army is a radical act that finds its echo in the teachings of Jesus: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (
Matthew 5:44).
Theological Connections¶
- Spiritual Warfare: This passage is one of the clearest Old Testament depictions of the reality of spiritual warfare, a theme Paul develops in the New Testament, particularly in
Ephesians 6:10-18. - The Sovereignty of God: The story powerfully demonstrates God's absolute control over human events. He knows the enemy's plans, protects His people, and achieves His purposes in His own way and time.
- Christ's Example: The ultimate demonstration of overcoming evil with good is the cross. Jesus, opposed and crucified by His enemies, prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (
Luke 23:34). His death and resurrection brought about the ultimate victory.
Closing Reflection¶
We are all in a spiritual war. We face opposition from the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is easy to become like Elisha's servant, to see the armies arrayed against us and to cry out in fear, "What shall we do?"
This story is God's answer. He says to us, "Do not be afraid." He pulls back the curtain to show us that the spiritual resources on our side are infinitely greater than any force that can come against us. The hills are full of horses and chariots of fire.
And then He shows us what true victory looks like. It's not about crushing our opponents. It's about winning them over with a radical, unexpected display of grace and mercy. It's about preparing a feast for our enemies. This is the upside-down kingdom of God, where the weak are strong, the humble are exalted, and victory is won through love.
Closing Prayer¶
Lord,
You are Almighty God, more powerful than any opponent we might face. Forgive us for our fear, for focusing on the armies of the enemy instead of on Your unseen power.
We pray today, "Lord, open our eyes that we may see." Help us to see Your protective presence all around us. Give us courage to trust in You, especially when we feel outnumbered and overwhelmed.
Remind us that our enemy is not flesh and blood. Help us to respond to opposition not with retaliation, but with the radical grace and mercy You have shown us in Christ. Teach us to love our enemies and to overcome evil with good.
- In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.