This chapter recounts the end of famine in Israel which was caused by the land being besieged (blockaded). Elisha prophesies that in 24 hours grain will be plentiful again and sell for a reasonable price.
“It happened as [Elisha] had said to the king: ‘About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.’ The officer had said to the man of God, ‘Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?’ [Elisha] had replied, ‘You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!’ And that is exactly what happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died.” (v18-20)
As Elisha was prophesying, one of the king’s aides mocked God, basically saying that His prophesy was impossible. God scared away the attacking army and they left everything behind in their camp. Israel was able to loot the camp and carry away a great deal of plunder (including food) so there was once more plenty in Israel. The mocker was trampled and killed, just as Elisha prophesied (he would not partake of the food).
There’s a difference between lacking faith in God, and outright mocking Him. Lack of faith is simple to fix – the better we get to know God and His word, the more we see Him keeping His word, and the greater our faith can become. On the other hand, Mocking God and His representatives is a form of persecution and defiance which will have consequences.
I encourage us to continue strengthening our faith in God. I know from experience that the closer I get to Him, the stronger and more firm my faith becomes, until it is unshakable. No matter what circumstances come my way (such as a pandemic) I can fully trust in God and His higher purposes. I would suggest we all build such a faith that cannot be shaken by the wildest of storms.
Jesus’ faith was never shaken by the storms He encountered, because He trusted the Father. He didn’t necessarily enjoy the trials He faced (such as betrayal and a grim death), but He went through with it, faithfully trusting in the Father’s sovereign will.
One more note: once we have a firm faith, we must not neglect to maintain it – like a muscle it will lose strength over time if we don’t continue exercising it.
Father God, our Sovereign Lord and King, we praise Your holy and magnificent name. We rejoice at the sound of Your voice, and seek You daily. We long to deepen our relationship with You, so our faith can become steadfast and firm. May we never falter to trust You in the best of times, and the worst of times. In the name of Jesus our Savior and King, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training