Can’t keep silent

2 Kings 7:3-11

This scenario takes place during the period of Israel’s Divided Monarchy, and in the Northern Kingdom Israel, specifically during the reign of Joram. Joram is one in a long line of really bad kings in Israel. Idolatry held sway for the vast majority of these kings, and they generally relied on their own devices, and not on the Lord.

Because of their wickedness, God allowed the enemy to lay siege of Samaria. Worst still, there was a grave famine and the nation was hit with an economic crisis. Death was the only option remaining. In spite of the King’s arrogance, God through His prophet promised to reverse the situation.

Now the narrative shifts from the city to the outskirts where 4 lepers were contemplating their future. Their lot was as same as those in the city or maybe worst. Lepers those days were considered outcasts and with no food, no security and no help, death was certain. But they decided to do the unthinkable; go to the enemy’s camp for help. It was a risk they took. But to their shock the entire enemy camp was deserted. For the Lord had caused the enemy to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army. They thought they were being attacked by a larger force and fled in panic. 

The lepers ransacked the tents and ate to their hearts content. They just could not believe what they were experiencing. But in the midst of their celebration they said something which is remarkably soul searching, verse 9 -Then they said to each other, “What we’re doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace.”

Look at the assessment of themselves:

•        What we are doing is wrong
•        We have the good news
•        We have all we need.
•        How can we keep it to ourselves
•        We do not have much time.
•        We don’t now what will happen next
•        Let’s go at once

Just like the lepers, we too have been saved, from sure eternal death, rescued from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Yes, it’s celebration time.  But wait. We can’t keep this to ourselves. There are millions out there who are heading for sure destruction without Christ. We have the panacea, the good news, the gospel message, that can avert their fate. But we need to go at once and tell them, Jesus Saves.  We can’t remain silent.

At seventeen years of age, D L Moody could scarcely read or write, and in a Bible class he could not turn to the book of John but searched for it in the Old Testament. But he was now running over with zeal and love for the Master, but he did not seem to have received much help and encouragement from the conservative deacons and church members in the church which he was attending. He found a little mission Sunday School in Chicago where they had sixteen teachers and only twelve students. He applied to become a teacher. They consented on condition that he would find his own students. This just suited his taste and next Sunday he arrived with eighteen students whom he had gathered from the streets. He soon had the building crowded. While he was still working as a shoe salesman, he found another bigger place and that too was filled. 

When he first arose to speak in a prayer-meeting one of the deacons assured him that, in his opinion, he would serve God best by keeping still. Another critic, who praised Moody for his zeal in filling the pews with people, said that he should realize his limitations and not attempt to speak in public. "You make too many mistakes in grammar," said he. "I know I make mistakes," was the reply, "and I lack many things, but I'm doing the best I can with what I've got." He then paused, and looking at the man searchingly, inquired, in his own inimitable way, "Look, here, friend, you've got grammar enough — what are you doing with it for the Master?