God's Invisible Army
Still panting, the servant told King Joram the news: “Elisha heard it from God. The king of Aram is about to attack our men!”
“Your warning comes just in time!” King Joram exclaimed. The king sent orders to his troops, telling them to march in a different direction.
“Praise God!” Elisha cheered when his young servant returned. “See how God protects His dear people?”
But when the king of Aram learned that he'd been outsmarted, he was very angry. “Elisha keeps spoiling my plans!” he complained. ”I want that prophet captured.”
The king of Aram promptly sent out a secret army to find Elisha. At sunset they returned with the news: “Elisha is in Dothan!”
At once, the king of Aram summoned his fiercest soldiers. “Sharpen your swords,” he commanded. “Then surround all of Dothan. Attack Elisha at the first light of dawn!”
While Elisha and his servant slumbered, the soldiers of Aram set up camp around Dothan. Silent as the night, they stood ready to attack.
But Elisha's servant woke up first, and when he saw the soldiers he wailed, “It's hopeless. We're doomed!”
Elisha rushed to his servant's side. “Don't be afraid,” he whispered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
“You are wrong!” the trembling servant gasped in alarm. “There are no friendly soldiers in sight.”
The enemy crept in. Shaking with fear, the servant looked to see who would help them, but the streets of Dothan were bare.
“You are looking with eyes closed by fear,” Elisha answered. “What you need are eyes opened by faith.”
“Then help me to see with faith-opened eyes!” his servant begged.
Immediately, Elisha prayed. “Lord, please open my servant's eyes so he may have faith and not fear.” The servant's eyes were opened. There, before him, stood great horses with manes as bright as the sun. Heavenly chariots with their wheels on fire kept guard on all sides. Unaware of God's angel army, the soldiers of Aram attacked.
Just as they reached Elisha, the old prophet prayed to God once more. “Make these soldiers blind!”
Just like that, every soldier stood blinded.
“This isn't the right road!” Elisha shouted to the men. ”This isn't the right city. Follow me. I'll lead you to the man you are looking for.” Then Elisha brought the enemy straight to the king of Israel.
When King Joram saw that Elisha had captured the army, he was amazed. “Shall I kill them so they can do no more harm?” he asked.
Before answering, Elisha prayed. Then, turning to King Joram he replied, “Do not hurt them. Give them a great feast instead.”
Even though it seemed strange, King Joram did just as Elisha instructed, and Elisha asked God to heal the soldiers' blindness. When they could see again, the soldiers thanked their hosts and marched home to Aram.
Stunned by such kindness, the king of Aram stopped attacking the Israelites. The two nations lived in peace for quite some time.
Elisha's servant also felt peace; his eyes were now opened by faith. The next time he felt afraid, the servant remembered God's invisible army.
“Seen or unseen,” he rejoiced, “God is always right there beside us!”