In time of war, every leader must plan and strategize in order to succeed. In the days of the prophet Elisha, “the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp” (2 Kings 6:8).

God’s people had been facing a series of troubles: “Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones” (Jeremiah 50:17).

“Judgment upon judgment had befallen the Israelites during the reign of Hazael the Syrian, who had been anointed to be the scourge of the apostate nation. The stern measures of reform instituted by Jehu had resulted in the slaying of all the house of Ahab. In continued wars with the Syrians, Jehoahaz, Jehu’s successor, had lost some of the cities lying east of the Jordan. For a time it had seemed as if the Syrians might gain control of the entire kingdom. But the reformation begun by Elijah and carried forward by Elisha had led many to inquire after God. The altars of Baal were being forsaken, and slowly yet surely God’s purpose was being fulfilled in the lives of those who chose to serve Him with all the heart.

“It was because of His love for erring Israel that God permitted the Syrians to scourge them. . . . God in His wisdom foresaw that if temptation were removed, some would forsake heathenism and turn their faces heavenward, and this is why He permitted calamity after calamity to befall them. His judgments were tempered with mercy; and when His purpose was accomplished, He turned the tide in favor of those who had learned to inquire after Him.”1

“Thus [Elisha] the man of God continued to labor from year to year, drawing close to the people in faithful ministry, and in times of crisis standing by the side of kings as a wise counselor. The long years of idolatrous backsliding on the part of rulers and people had wrought their baleful work; the dark shadow of apostasy was still everywhere apparent, yet here and there were those who had steadfastly refused to bow the knee to Baal. As Elisha continued his work of reform, many were reclaimed from heathenism, and these learned to rejoice in the service of the true God. The prophet was cheered by these miracles of divine grace, and he was inspired with a great longing to reach all who were honest in heart. Wherever he was he endeavored to be a teacher of righteousness.”2

Indeed, as long as Israel was faithful and believed the prophets, they prospered. God’s assurance came through king Jehoshaphat: “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” (2 Chronicles 20:20).

What are the responsibilities of a true prophet? By inspiration of God, prophets bring messages of enlightenment, comfort, appeal, and warnings as appropriate. This is what Elisha did:

“And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice” (2 Kings 6:9, 10).

Thus the Lord used His prophet to protect the nation, but what did the king of Syria—whose strategies were foiled—automatically assume?

“Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?”(2 Kings 6:11).

Was there really any traitor? Let’s see what the answer was:

“And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber” (2 Kings 6:12).

Aha! So here was the problem! Through the omniscience of God, to Elisha was made known the secret plans the enemy was making, so the prophet repeatedly let the leader of His people know how to avert the danger to the nation. When the Syrian king realized what was happening, what did he set out to do?

“And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan” (2 Kings 6:13).

This is the same Dothan that young Joseph went to when he was searching for his beloved brethren to bring them food. But now on this occasion, the king of Syria had a very different purpose in his mission to Dothan:

“Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about” (2 Kings 6:14).

If you were in Dothan, what would be your reaction in the morning?

“When the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15).

Who was this servant? Was it Gehazi?

In the previous chapter we see Elisha’s dismissal of Gehazi: “The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow” (2 Kings 5:27).

God through Moses had given the Hebrews specific instructions regarding lepers: “All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be” (Leviticus 13:46).

So, this servant must be someone else, not Gehazi.

“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15).

(Just imagine the fear! Looking at our world today, does this sound similar to the fear that so many are currently experiencing?)

Thankfully, the prophet of God had words of assurance and hope:

“And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:16, 17).

Why? “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

“Between the servant of God and the hosts of armed foemen was an encircling band of heavenly angels. They had come down in mighty power, not to destroy, not to exact homage, but to encamp round about and minister to the Lord’s weak and helpless ones.”3

“The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place” (Psalm 68:17).

Elisha was used to seeing a chariot and horses of fire! Remember his experience with Elijah in 2 Kings chapter 2. “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11).

We always need to keep in mind that earthly chariots are no comparison to that which is supplied by the God of Heaven. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). [Emphasis added.]

Elijah rebuilt the altar (1 Kings 18:32).

David overcame Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45).

We are washed, justified and sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:11).

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).

“And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).

The prophet prayed, “Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes!”

Guidance is given in Scripture as to how often we should kneel in prayer:

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

How does Satan react when we pray like Daniel did?

“Daniel prayed unto his God three times a day. Satan is enraged at the sound of fervent prayer, for he knows that he will suffer loss.”4

On account of his praying to God, Daniel was cast into the lions’ den:

“Evil angels accomplished their purpose thus far. But Daniel continues to pray, even in the den of lions. . . . Did God forget him there? Oh, no; Jesus the mighty Commander of the host of heaven, sent His angel to close the mouths of those hungry lions that they should not hurt the praying man of God, and all was peace in that terrible den.”5

“As in the days of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, so in the closing period of earth’s history. . . .

“In the midst of the time of trouble—trouble such as has not been since there was a nation—His chosen ones will stand unmoved. Satan with all the hosts of evil cannot destroy the weakest of God’s saints. Angels that excel in strength will protect them, and in their behalf Jehovah will reveal Himself as a ‘God of gods,’ able to save to the uttermost those who have put their trust in Him.”6

Jacob—Wherever you go, the Lord is present!

“And [Jacob] dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. . . . And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not” (Genesis 28:12, 16).

John—You are not alone!

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet” (Revelation 1:10).

Philip—You have a mission!

“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship” (Acts 8:26, 27).

Gideon—“My family is poor . . . and I am the least in my father’s house.”

“And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour” (Judges 6:12).

Joshua—You receive instruction: “Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?” (Joshua 5:13, 14).

Elijah—No depression; eat and go!

“He requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat” (1 Kings 19:4, 5).

Balaam—When we are stubborn

“Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet” (2 Peter 2:15, 16).

Missionary spirit lacking—“Curse ye Meroz”

“As an illustration of the failure on your part to come up to the work of God, as was your privilege, I was referred to these words: “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” (Judges 5:23) What had Meroz done? Nothing. And this was their sin. They came not up to the help of the Lord against the mighty.”7

Minister – (archaic) A person or thing used to achieve or convey something.

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13, 14).

Peter – you still have work to do!

“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so, he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.” (Acts 12:7, 8).

David – the angel of God is your protection!

“While the young man was playing before the king, filling the palace with sweet harmony, Saul’s passion overcame him, and he hurled a javelin at David, thinking to pin the musician to the wall; but the angel of the Lord turned aside the deadly weapon.”8

“A guardian angel is appointed to every follower of Christ. These heavenly watchers shield the righteous from the power of the wicked one.”9 “All show the closeness of the connection between heaven and earth.”10

“Today, as verily as in the days of the apostles, heavenly messengers are passing through the length and breadth of the land... We cannot see them personally; nevertheless they are with us, guiding, directing, protecting.”11

“These angels of light create a heavenly atmosphere about the soul, lifting us toward the unseen and the eternal.”12

“Through Christ, earth is again linked with heaven. With His own merits, Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made, so that the ministering angels can hold communion with man. Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power.”13

“The Lord showed Jacob the open heavens. He beheld earth linked with Heaven, and saw the bright array of angels and the majesty of Deity. A divine voice addressed the repenting, discouraged one in words of gracious assurance, and spoke to him of great things to come. And so, through the merits of our Redeemer, the Father looks upon us with tender compassion, and speaks to us hopefully the language of forgiveness and love.”14

“Again and again have angels talked with men as a man speaketh with a friend, and led them to places of security. Again and again have the encouraging words of angels renewed the drooping spirits of the faithful and, carrying their minds above the things of earth, caused them to behold by faith the white robes, the crowns, the palm branches of victory, which overcomers will receive when they surround the great white throne.”15

Amen!