Elisha 8 - Influencing Others Against God’s Prophetic Word is Deadly

David W Palmer

(2 Kings 7:19–20 NKJV) Then that officer had answered the man of God, and said, “Now look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?” And he had said, “In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.” {20} And so it happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gate, and he died.

Samaria was besieged by the Arameans (Syrians); their mortal enemy had them in lockdown, impoverished, in fear and shortage. Meanwhile, the intimidators were enjoying the provision, freedom, and abundance that belonged to God’s covenant people. Many were crying out to God and hoping that he would rescue them. But when even the king gave up on God—as did the four leprous men—God spoke through Elisha his prophet. What he said bears repeating; he promised complete deliverance from the oppression along with freedom, provision, and plenty:

(2 Kings 7:1 NKJV) Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’”

Like a convicted sinner hearing the gospel, to the king’s attendant this sounded too good to be true; but it was true; God said it, and what he says is truth. The officer responded very unwisely to God’s prophetic word. If he struggled to believe what sounded completely impossible, he could have asked questions or stayed silent. But, instead, he contradicted God’s mouthpiece and tried to influence the king away from God’s true word:

(2 Kings 7:2 NLT) 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!”

Even in the New Testament, doubting God’s prophetic word led to consequences. First, God’s response to John the Baptist’s father and his private doubts:

(Luke 1:13, 18–20 NLT) But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.” ... {18} Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” {19} Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! {20} But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Having private doubts and even asking God about them has ramifications. But using one’s proximity to leaders to try to manipulate governmental decisions with doubt and unbelief leads to very serious consequences; God has to stop such deceiving, controlling liars:

(Acts 13:6–12 NKJV) Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, {7} who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. {8} But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. {9} Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him {10} and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? {11} And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. {12} Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

God stopped Elymas from deceiving the proconsul into disbelieving God’s word spoken through Paul. Similarly, God had to stop the officer from disbelieving God’s prophetic word spoken through Elisha. The king was the leader of God’s covenant people, so the whole city would have been infected with the unbelief of the Jezebellic, misleading spirit of the enemy. So God stopped him. In his case, he was permanently neutralised through death just as the prophet said:

(2 Kings 7:18–20 NKJV) So it happened just as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, “Two seahs of barley for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour for a shekel, shall be sold tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria.” {19} Then that officer had answered the man of God, and said, “Now look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?” And he had said, “In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.” {20} And so it happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gate, and he died.

Today, I want to encourage you to see the parallel between this Biblical narrative and what is happening in our western world. We, the ordinary people, have been oppressed and intimidate to the point of loss of freedom. We have been threatened with shortages, loss of buying power, and fearful rumours of wars and alien invasions, etc. But God has spoken through his prophets of a worldwide move of revival, awakening, outpouring, and evangelism.

This may seem as impossible as God bringing abundant provision and freedom to Samaria when it was hopelessly outnumbered and under a deadly siege. What’s more, he said he could do this within 24 hours. This sounded totally impossible to natural thinking. But God did what he said; and he will again do what he says in our day—and it can happen suddenly.

Prophetic voices also remind us of how God provided for his people in Goshen, while Egypt was undergoing God’s dealings through his 10 plagues (Exo. 8–9). What’s more, Hebrews 12:25 warns that in these days, God’s voice will shake everything that can be shaken. But this is not designed to harm his children. Yes, God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29); but again, this is not to burn up his children. Let’s be wise and stay in his secret place—dwelling so close to him that we are not in the firing line. Things will heat up; everything will shake. But simultaneously, revival fire will burn and evangelism will accelerate. The world may be in chaos for a time, but those who believe God and his prophetic words will be protected, provided, and used mightily by him in this end-time ingathering:

(2 Chronicles 20:20 NLT) … “Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Do not listen to those who spread doubts about the veracity of God’s prophetic words. Yes, test all prophecies. Any genuine word from God will line up with Scriptures—like we have seen how things in Scripture lines up with our situation and prophecies today. Plus, a genuine word will always be confirmed in the mouth of two or three witnesses. Then, we each have the inward witness of the Holy Spirit:

(1 John 2:26–28 NLT) “I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. {27} But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. {28} And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”