Sermon Central
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The God Of Angel Armies Series
Contributed by Jerry Owen on Aug 15, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: Under spiritual and physical attack can be frightening. Elisha's account of his experience with the army of Aram ought to give us faith, knowing the God of Angel Armies is with us.
THE GOD OF ANGEL ARMIES
2 Kings 6:8 Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel.
Elisha served as the prophet of God for 50-60 years. During that time Israel faced many problems.
Drought, famine, diseases, and constant wars with their neighbors.
During this time, the Arameans (Syrians) were the enemy they fought most often.
They would fight a while and call a truce.
Peace for a while then surprise attacks and war again.
It is during one of these periods of war that we pick up the story once again.
On the surface it seems this is a story about Elisha, but it is actually a story about God and how He responds to His people when the enemy attacks them.
How does God respond? He responds with His might and power as Jehovah Sabaoth, the God of Angel Armies!
1. THE SCHEMES OF THE ENEMY.
2 Kings 6:8 Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel; and he [c]counseled with his servants saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.”
It is a dark time because Aram was a stronger nation than Israel during this time. They are constantly making surprise attacks on the border towns, but are looking for an opportunity to destroy all of Israel and enslave them.
* Maybe you feel that you are under attack this morning. You’re being constantly attacked in various parts of your life.
* Maybe it’s your finances. Health. Family. Marriage.
2 Kings 6:9-10 9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Arameans are coming down there.” 10 The king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, more than once or twice.
As the enemy plans one attack after another, God gives a Word to Elisha and he warns the king so they are prepared to thwart the attacks.
* The first word of advice I give you this morning is spend time in God’s Word.
Many of the attacks we encounter today can be solved by being prepared for them or avoiding them all together.
* Study Proverbs and we can avoid many short-term financial issues.
* Learn to live a holy life and we can avoid many diseases/heartaches.
* Study and apply Eph 5, 1 Cor 13, and Song of Solomon and you might just avoid problems in your marriage relationship.
* We need God’s Word today and we often need a Word from God!
* Here we see the King of Israel receiving a Word from God and protecting himself and his people from attack.
2 Kings 6:11-13 11 Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him.” And it was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.”
The king is furious and calls in his servants and tries to find out which one of them is a traitor that is warning Israel of his plans. They tell him that Elisha is the problem. His God is telling him everything we are about to do and he is warning the King of Israel. So, a scheme is set in motion to capture Elisha and take back his advantage.
* Here’s the ironic thing. The king hasn’t considered that the same God that warns Elisha of the attacks on Israel will also warn Elisha of the schemes that the king plots against him! Silly king!
2. FEAR IN THE DARKNESS.
2 Kings 6:14-15 14 He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
The enemy came by night and just before daylight, the servant sees the enemy. It’s always darkest just before dawn. Servant is terrified.
Some things the servants didn’t realize that we also need to know:
(1) We have an enemy that wants to destroy us. Yes, the servants knew Israel had an enemy, but now it is personal. Satan wants to destroy you.
(2) We each get our own turn to be attacked. We must be ready for that attack if we are going to stand firm against it.
