Elisha 4 - Supernatural Seeing

David W Palmer

(2 Kings 6:9 NLT) … Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.”

After Elijah’s promotion to heaven and the fulfilment of Elisha’s request to have a double portion of his spirit, Elisha began moving in his supernatural ministry. As we saw yesterday, the size, depth, and impact of what God did through him increased—especially after the ax head floated, and he took hold of his own [not borrowed] cutting edge. This seemed to reach a zenith at the time of this story:

(2 Kings 6:8–10 NLT) When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, “We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.” {9} But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.” {10} So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on the alert there.

God began using Elisha regularly to intervene in international wars and to prevent Israel’s enemy from any successful incursions and victories. Eventually, the king of Aram woke up that someone was spying on him and warning the Israelites. Like many today, he was thinking naturally; so he blamed what he could see:

(2 Kings 6:11 NLT) The king of Aram became very upset over this. He called his officers together and demanded, “Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?”

Aram’s king looked for a natural spy—a traitor among his confidants. However, he wasn’t taking into account the supernatural, spiritual God who sees everything:

(Ecclesiastes 10:20 NLT) Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don't make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom. For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said.

The “bird” in this passage represents the Spirit of God and his angels. We must never forget that he sees everything, and listens to all conversations. In truth, what we say is recorded and …

(Luke 19:22 NET) “The king said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words …’”

(Matthew 12:36–37 NET) “I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. {37} For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Like many today, the king of Aram was simply oblivious to the ominous truth that all of his words were heard, revealed to God, and stored for judgment. In his case, through God they were revealed to Elisha who was then warning Israel’s king about the king of Aram’s plans.

Eventually, the officers explained that this wasn’t natural:

(2 Kings 6:12–13 NLT) “It’s not us, my lord the king,” one of the officers replied. “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!”

Even with the truth of God’s supernatural superiority explained to him, the king of Aram exacerbated his guilt and compounded his problem by trying to fix the spiritual opposition with natural weapons:

(2 Kings 6:13 NLT) Go and find out where he is,” the king commanded, “so I can send troops to seize him.” And the report came back: “Elisha is at Dothan.”

This deluded king believed he could use the strength of his arm, wealth, military or position of rulership to overcome God’s plan. This is so true today; it only takes one man who is submitted to God and full of faith in him to thwart the plans of even the world’s mightiest power wielders—no matter how rich and entrenched they think they are.

(2 Kings 6:14–15 NLT) So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. {15} When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.

When Elisha’s servant saw the predicament they were in—from a natural point of view—he panicked: “What will we do now?” We could have the same response today if we merely look at the world and current events through only natural eyes. If it were simply a natural battle, we would certainly be in a very dire situation. However … the prophet was operating in God’s spirit realm where the real power is. After all, a spirit—God’s Holy Spirit—created all the natural creation; and in “him” we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 KJV). Not to mention …

(Hebrews 1:3 NASB) And He … upholds all things by the word of His power. …

When God opened the young man’s eyes, he saw reality—not the wimpy, limited, defeated view of looking at the natural realm only:

(2 Kings 6:16–17 NLT) “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” {17} Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Today, God has the same spiritual warriors all around you, his church, and his ardent followers everywhere. We are not outnumbered by our enemies; in truth, with God’s army on our side, we vastly outnumber them. Remember that in Elisha’s case, it only took one human in tune with God to team with this vast supernatural host to completely outnumber, outsmart, and outmaneuver the world’s most well-trained and equipped military.

I encourage you to keep your eyes on God and his infinitely powerful and all knowing supernatural presence everywhere. Remember that he created everything physical, and he upholds it by the word of his power. Nothing escapes his knowledge; and his plans to deal with the evil are perfect, just, loving, and complete; justice will prevail. Stay focused on his word; feed your faith daily, and become that person of whom it can be written: “around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.”

Pray now: “O Lord, open our eyes and let us see.”