Print

II KINGS 7:3-4

WHO DISCOVERED IT ??

I. A GREAT-WORK OF GOD ENTIRELY UNKNOWN.
        A. City of Samaria shut up by Syrian Army.
        1. Horrible famine.
        2. God sent prophet Elisha with promise of deliverance.
        B. That evening the siege was lifted. 
                1. The entire Syrian army had fled. 
                2. Those within the city still thought themselves cooped
                   up.
                3. They were free--but did not know it.
        C. The Lord had routed their enemies.
                1. Israel had not a single foe this side of Jordan.
                2. The guards were set on the wall to watch for an enemy
                   that did not exist.
                3. O Samaria, if you only knew the gift of God.
                4. God works and man knows it not.
        D. God had provided plenty for them.
                1. They drew their belts tighter but within a sling's
                   throw more fine  flour and barley than they could
                   consume.
                2. They were feeling hunger pangs - could be feasting.
                3. All because they believed not the Word of God, and
                   looked not for  relief.
                a. See what unbelief can do!
        4. A sad parallel.
                a. God did a great more and put away man's sin.
                1. Christ has routed all our enemies.
                2. Yet man still goes around bound in the miseries of his
                   sin.

II. A PECULIAR BAND OF DISCOVERERS.
        A. Outside the walls lived 4 lepers.
        1. Survived- on garbage thrown down from wall.
        B. These were the discoverers of God's work. 
        1. Many times the worst of sinners is first to discover the grace
           of  God.
        C. The reasoning behind the discovery. 
        1. "Why sit we here until we die?"
                a. If we don't do something we've had it. 
        2. No use trying to go into Samaria.
        3. Cast ourselves upon mercy of Syrians.
                a. If they kill us what have we lost? 
        4. They would not dare to join God's people.
                a. Some of  you feel you have no right to God's mercy.
        5. These men had given up - blessed condition.
                        a. As long as you can do something, prone to try.
                        b. The man who struggles as he sinks is hard to
                           rescue.
                        c. How blessed to be shut up to Christ.

III. THE HERALDS OF GOOD NEWS.
        A. They came to camp and found it empty of men.
                1. They entered first tent and ate up.
                2. They began to bury treasure.
                3. Then one suggested good news should be shared.
        B. They called up to porter on the wall. 
                1. Who more qualified to tell?

IV. MAY YOU NOT IMITATE THESE LEPERS?
        A. When first came to tent "Quiet Simion, your bones rattling too
           loudly -  bring guard."
                1. They would tread as heavily as they wish. 
                2. No one is there to accuse.
                3. No sin to condemn us.
        B. They probably expected to be interrupted momentarily and cast
           out.
                1. When I first realized great promises of God too great
                   to be true
                2. Take possession of all I can find in God.
        C. Christ has defeated the enemy, a great work has been
           done - ours is the  spoiled.