Elisha’s Example of the Law of Confession
Through the prophet Elijah, we see God’s use of the law of confession—and just how powerful it is:
(2 Kings 7:1, 17 NLT) Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, five quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and ten quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.” ... {17} … So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted when the king came to his house.
Here, God spoke to the prophet Elisha. The prophet then confessed exactly what God had shown him to say—this is true confession. What he said happened in 24 hours. This is remarkable; confession of what God says is sometimes almost instant, other times—as in Abraham’s case—it can take a year or even longer. But either way, it is always right to say what God says.
We note that when Elisha first made this confession, the king’s officer ridiculed it—most probably because it sounded outlandish and impossible. And, as is often the case, the worldly person who is controlled by the flesh belittles and denounces what they do not understand or choose to disbelieve. Perhaps they think that if they do not disagree, they might be assumed to be agreeing with what their pride thinks is ridiculous. But it’s better to stay silent than to disagree with what God says; silence is a much better option than to openly contradict or scorn God’s living words. Let’s read on to see what happened to a man who ridiculed what God said:
(2 Kings 7:1–2, 16–17 NLT) Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, five quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and ten quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.” {2} The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the LORD opened the windows of heaven!” But Elisha replied, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” ... {16} Then the people of Samaria rushed out and plundered the Aramean camp. So it was true that five quarts of choice flour were sold that day for one piece of silver, and ten quarts of barley grain were sold for one piece of silver, just as the LORD had promised. {17} The king appointed his officer to control the traffic at the gate, but he was knocked down and trampled to death as the people rushed out. So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted …
We have so much to learn from this amazing true story:
First, if God gives you something to say, confess it exactly as he gives it to you—even if it doesn’t make any sense to your intellect, doesn’t feel good to your flesh, or makes you sound ridiculous. Say what he says in his name; when it’s his word, he has the power to, and has promised to, watch over his word to perform it. (Jer. 1:12 ESV)
Second, if someone else gives a word that they believe came from God, begin by testing it against God’s word and the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. Has it been confirmed in the mouth of two or three witnesses? If you are convinced that this is what God is saying—after it has been tested and proved—repeat it. If it has tested not true against God’s word, correct it if you are in the position to, otherwise, say nothing. If you are unsure about it, shelve it and say nothing.
Whatever happens, do not contradict, ridicule, or belittle a word that supposedly came from God, even if you don’t understand how it could happen. When God speaks, it’s up to him to figure out how it can happen.
