The Right NOT to Remain Silent

2 Kings 7:3-9, 12-13, 15-16a

Introduction: Ever heard something that seemed too good to be true? We all have at one time or another. Sometimes its s the truth and sometimes it is not.

Today’s lessons deal with God’s people receiving wonderful news at the hands of four lepers. While the news was good, even greater was the demonstration of God’s love and power.

Elijah was at the peak of his ministry when this lesson takes place.

-A group of prophets were building them a living area and while chopping down a tree an axe head fell into the river. IT was borrowed so the prophet went to Elijah and Elijah made the axe head float so it could be retrieved.

-The Arameans sent an army into Israel to plunder and to apprehend Elijah himself. They set up a siege for Samaria and were camped out waiting to starve the Israelites out. This is where the lessons opens.

Realize that God is always at work 2 Kings 7:3-9 “3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?   4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.   5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.   6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.   7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life

1. V. 6 & 7 The siege was raised in one night

   1. Was not raised by might or power

   2. Was raised by terror

   3. Note: Those that do not know God generally live in fear and paranoia

2. God made the army to hear noises. This was supernatural occurrence.

3. They felt the king of Israel had acquired allies, the Hittites and that these allies were coming for battle

4. They fled out of fear

5. V. 3& 4 The end of the siege was discovered by four lepers that were outside the city

6. They felt they were going to die anyway do they went to the camp of the Armeans and discovered it abandoned with all the food and wealth left behind.

Tell others about it 2 Kings 7:8-9 “ 8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.   9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come that we may go and tell the king's household.”

1. At first they enjoyed their new found treasure

2. They reasoned they could not keep this good news to themselves. They were obligated as part of the community to tell it.

   1. Thought the city had cast them out, it was the law and not the people that caused them to be cast out

   2. They felt some mischief would befall them if they did not do what was right

   3. NOTE: Selfish narrow mined people never prosper for long

Urge others to check it out 2 Kings 7:12-13 “12 And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we be hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.   13 And one of his servants answered and said, Let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, (behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it: behold, I say, they are even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see.”

1. They brought the good news back to the city and it was given to the king

2. The king feared an ambush by the Syrians 

   1. Note: The king expected no favor from God because he knew he had abandoned God’s teachings. It is hard for people to accept true grace

   2. Guilty consciences always fear the worse

3. They decided to send out spies

Share in the Joy 2 Kings 7: 15-16a “15 And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.   16 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians.”

1. God took mercy on his defenseless people

2. They found the Syrians had left all their worldly possessions. Normally an occupying army burned what they left so it couldn’t be used by the enemy, but they left so fast that everything the Israelites needed was left to be plundered.

3. Elijah had prophesied during the siege that the price of food would actually go down due to God’s grace….and so it happened.

4. There was so much food and goods that the price of things actually fell.

5. God plundered his enemies and no one got hurt or was loss in the event.

   
   

NOTE: All of this happened because four people refused to keep the good news to themselves. We must all be quick to tell about the wonders and mercies of God.