2 Kings 17-18 | The Sitters, The Getters, and The Goers and Tellers

How do you react in a time of crisis? What would you do if you were besieged by enemy’s day and night and your family was starving? The land of Israel was under attack by the Arameans. The enemy army had cut off the food supply and the Israelites were dying. But there was a prophet named Elisha. He prophesied that the next day there would be enough food for everyone to be satisfied. And here's where the story gets interesting.

THE SITTERS (2 Kings 7:2)

Some men did not believe what God had said. So, they just sat down and did not respond nor move to the Word of God. And they got nothing.

Many people are like that. When God promises them riches in His Word, they never get up believing and searching for what God has. Theirs is the greatest loss.

THE GETTERS (2 Kings 7:3-8)

There were four leprous men. Such men were untouchable outcasts in their day. They decided to get up and go down to the camp of the Arameans. And here was their reasoning: "If we sit here, we're going to die. If we go down there, they may spare us, or we may die. We have a better chance there than here.”

When they arrived at the enemy camp, they discovered that the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great army. They feared that the Israelite king had hired some army to come against them, so they ran for their lives and left everything in their camp just as it was.

The four lepers had a feast and began to hoard and hide the riches they found.

Some people are like that. They get up and find riches—even in God's Word—but they gorge on the Bible, never realizing that it is being given to them so they can share it with others.

THE GOERS AND TELLERS (2 Kings 7:8-10)

But finally, some of the lepers felt convicted that they were not sharing what they had with people who were dying back in the city. "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent … Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household." (vs. 9)

They had good news and good news is always given for sharing. Their choice was to enjoy their riches or share it with others. Thankfully, they chose the path of service and they saved their whole nation.

We have the good news of Christ. But we are keeping silent. What a tragedy that men are starving around us spiritually and we are not telling them where the bread is.

Father, thank You for meeting our needs in every way. Thank You for the incredible riches You’ve given us. Give us the grace to share what we have with others. Open our hands and our mouths to help everyone we know find the Bread of heaven.