For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.
Introduction
- Previous studies in Section II (Leprosy) have studied four individual lepers. Today we will consider the lives of four lepers all together.
- Although these men are not healed of their leprosy, they end up in a positive, victorious place nonetheless.
Scriptural study: 2 Kings 6:24-31; 7:3-5, 8-10.
- Siege conditions in Samaria: famine!
- Cannibalism was forewarned in Deut 28—and mentioned several times in scripture.
- This is a desperate situation!
- The king’s anger is misdirected—towards Elisha—who soon predicts and end to the famine (7:1)
- We’re skipping the story of the faithless captain, as well as other important parts of the story, as these lie outside the text we are examining.
- Meet our lepers—four in all (7:3).
- Notice the role of reason. They have nothing to lose!
- Instead of encountering the Syrians, the camp has been abandoned -- full of food, supplies, money...
- A sumptuous feast was just a short walk away! (The Great Banquet is potentially as close to your neighbors as the distance to your home!)
- Their initial reaction is to horde. Yet, as with the message of Christ, the good news is to be shared!
- Since others are starving, not sharing would be a culpable, criminal behavior (v.9).
- They make a reasonable decision: to share.
- The matter is time sensitive. People are starving. People are dying.
- They came… and told… (v.10). Like the words of John: “Come… and see…” (1:39,46; 4:29; 11:34)
- Although these men were not cured of their leprosy, they are still winners:
- Their lives are saved.
- They purposed to save the lives of many others, and they saved a city.
Application
- We are but poor lepers. We have nothing to lose!
- We are in sin if we are keeping the message to ourselves.
- People are starving for the truth, for an a authentic relationship with God.
- Let’s share the good news: “Come and see!”
- It’s time sensitive!