1

God Defeated the Aramean Army by 4 Lepers

2

Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans.

So a seah of flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, as the LORD had said. [2 King 7:16]

3

Around Israel, there was a country named Aram.

And this country attacked Israel often.

They attacked Israel countless times and made a ruckus in Israel.

4

Especially, Ben-Hadad, King of Aram attacked Israel often.

Without any wonder, the king again started attacking.

However, this time he marched to the capital of Israel, Samaria’s castle.

This time they had a strong mind to finish their long awaited task.

They surrounded the castle and never let anything pass by them.

5

And when the war didn`t finish quickly, inside the Samarian castle they were suffering from a shortage of food.

Even the common food they ate often was sold at a high price.

Worst than that, some of the people started to eat their own children.

6

So, the current king of Israel, Jehoram, tore apart his clothes and cried out aloud when he saw what was happening inside the castle. All this had happened because King Jehoram hadn’t lived a life that God desired.

7

However, King Jehoram still couldn’t notice this so he blamed all of these matters upon Elisha the prophet.

“If God really exists this can`t be happening, go and bring the head of Elisha who`s telling others he`s a prophet of God.”

8

But Elisha already knew that the king was trying to kill him.

“Please, Elders, King Jehoram will send a person to kill me; never let them get inside the house.”

9

As Elisha had predicted, the king`s man came and asked to open

the door to kill Elisha.

“It`s the king`s order, open the door.”

They knocked at the door so hard that it almost broke.

10

Elisha predicted again.

“After that person another person will come.”

And when Elisha finished his words, another person came

and shouted to Elisha.

11

“The king has discovered that all of the things happening in the kingdom have come from God. And he also knows these problems can only be solved only by God.”

Jehoram finally acknowledged his own sin and called for help from God.

12

God accepted Jehoram`s repentance and spoke through Elisha.

“Tomorrow at about this time, all the problems will be solved and the people will be saved from all the starving they have been suffering.”

God decided to forgive Israel.

13

But the king`s minister didn`t believe Elisha`s words and began saying some arrogant things:

“I don`t think such a thing can happen even if the doors of heaven should open. Yes, nothing can solve this problem by tomorrow.”

14

Elisha shouted to him with anger, “You will see how this miracle will happen tomorrow. But you won`t be able to eat anything!”

Elisha predicted that this minister would die when the miracle occurred.

What do you think God will do to solve this problem?

15

At the entrance to the gate of the Samarian Castle, there were 4 lepers staying there. They were starving to death, and suddenly one person told the others, “Even inside the castle there is no food to eat, so let`s just surrender to the Aramean army. If they kill us? We will die, but if they don`t kill us? We will be able to eat some food.”

16

At sunset they walked to the side of the Aramean army to surrender.

And suddenly God made their walking sound like the sound of a great army.

17

The army of Aram had taught other countries helping Israel to send their army, so they ran away to their country without carrying anything they had brought. When the four lepers reached there; there was no one staying there.

And that place was full of good things they had brought.

18

When the Israelites heard this good news they ran to that place to see

with their own eyes.

And they celebrated with all the things there and ate everything they could.

God had made a miracle by the help of four lepers.

19

What do you think happened to the minister who didn`t believe in God?

He died because when the Israelites marched to the Aramean side, he had fallen at the gateway and so was trampled to dead by them all. He was punished because of his unfaithful declaration.

20

God is the God who forgives sin if they repent their sins deeply inside their hearts. Yet, He hates those who don`t believe in His power. So we should repent immediately when we have committed sins. And also we should always believe in His power no matter what happens to us. Through that we will be God’s children who He is always faithful to us in our lives.