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, horses and a great army.
They thought they were being attacked by a larger army 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 thouht
provoking: 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, DL 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?
Its about time, we stop giving excuses and start
shring the good news.
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