New Rules of Engagement

Passage: 2 Kings 6:8-23

The Book of 2 Kings opens with a series of stories about Elisha, the successor of the great prophet Elijah. Whereas Elijah seems to be the better-known of the two, the miracles related to Elisha’s ministry are in a category of their own. When Elisha receives the mantle of his master (both literally and figuratively), he asks for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit. The stories that follow establish that God has in fact granted what Elisha requested – an unprecedented degree of authority and power.

Elisha intervenes periodically in the political life of Israel. At times he does so to correct its wayward king. But on one occasion he does so to correct his enemies. Israel is at war with its nemesis, Aram. Somehow (we presume by the power of God) Elisha knows in advance the maneuvers of the Aramean army, and feeds the information to the king of Israel. After getting routed repeatedly, the Arameans figure out that something’s up. When he tries to figure out which of his men is a traitor, the king of Aram is informed that none other than the prophet of the LORD is the one blowing his cover. He decides to eliminate the problem.

When the Aramean army shows up at Elisha’s doorstep, Elisha calmly asks God to strike them all with blindness. Remarkably, God obliges. Elisha then leads the Arameans into the center of the walled city of Samaria, where they are immediately surrounded by Israelite troops. God alleviates the temporary blindness to reveal that the Arameans have somehow fallen into the hands of their enemies.

The king of Israel is delighted to have the upper hand. You can imagine him rubbing his hands together as he asks Elisha, “Can I kill them now? Can I kill them now?” Here’s the best part: Elisha says, “No.” He says, “It wouldn’t be sporting to slaughter your guests. Send them home. But it wouldn’t be hospitable to send them home on an empty stomach, would it…?” The king of Israel gets the hint and, we’re told, seats his enemies before a great banquet. The story concludes, “So the bands of Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.”

The response God’s people are required to make toward their enemies doesn’t make sense. It seems like it would be most efficient for God to eliminate his people's enemies. But God is not primarily interested in eliminating people. God's most interested in changing people. Instead of wiping out Israel's enemies, he turns them into friends.

Much later in Scripture Jesus tells his disciples, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” God’s strategy is not for us to hold old grudges and perpetuate old hostilities. In fact, it’s God’s intent that his people no longer have enemies; that by our love our enemies might become our friends. Before you get your back up about that idea, think about what God has done for you. We are by nature sinners – enemies of God. Yet by his love he has made us friends. It turns out this is God’s M.O. - has been for a long time. If you are God’s friend, then it should be your M.O., too.