S) "4 'If we say, "We will enter the city," then the famine is in the city and we will die there; and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, we will but die.' 5 They arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Arameans; when they came to the outskirts of the camp of the Arameans, behold, there was no one there."
2 Kings 7:4-5 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 7
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 7
O) This was during a war with Aram, when their armies had successfully laid siege to Samaria. There was famine within the city, to the point that some of the people had actually turned to cannibalism (see also Deuteronomy 28:49-57). These men talking in the verse above, were lepers who were at the gate of the city presumably because that's as close to inside the city as they were allowed (since lepers would traditionally be quarantined outside the city). Just prior to their conversation, Elisha had prophesied an end to their famine (although he didn't specify how), but it was to the king and certainly there was no way for these men to know that. Ironically, had they heard the prophecy, it's possible they would have remained at the city's entrance, awaiting for deliverance from God. Instead, they figured they had nothing to lose, so they went to the enemy camp. Little did they know that God had sent a confusion into the Aramean camp, so they had abandoned it, leaving most of their supplies behind them. Consequently, Samaria was spared. Not only was the siege lifted, but the city immediately had provisions.
A) What does it mean to live my life with nothing to lose? Jesus did say, "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25). The men in this passage considered their lives were already lost. They were willing to die because they considered that they had already died. Consequently, God was able to use them to bring good news of salvation to their city. In the same way, if I consider that Jesus bought my life with a price (no less than the cost of His own blood), then my life is not my own. I choose to lay my life down, by following Jesus. This is the symbolism of baptism. So, when God is calling me to bring good news of salvation, however that looks, no matter the dangers or risks that I perceive, then He can accomplish great things when I consider myself already dead here on earth. When I do not fear the grave, because I consider that I have already died to self, and because I know I will be resurrected in Christ, then I am not really risking anything.
P) Father, these stories that foreshadow the gospel are amazing to me. In Your perfect grace, You have given us record of all sorts of examples through history, preserved in Your perfect Word. Well before any of the disciples were ever martyred, You had example after example of righteous men willing to die for their obedience. Here, You have kept a perfect example of what it means to consider myself already dead. I confess that there are many ways in which I am selfish. I don't want to be, but it is hard, Father. Open my eyes to see where I am over-valuing my own life, God. I want to be less and less selfish. I want to live out what Paul said, when he considered that to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Use me, lead me, call me to whatever You want. Regardless of danger or risk, because I know You are sovereign. Let Your will be done, and I know I can trust You completely. My death on earth is a foregone conclusion, and I don't know when it will be. For me to try and prolong my life is to try to delay my glorification in You. I want to be united with You according to Your perfect timing and will. Let Your will be done, therefore. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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