The Way
Horses and Chariots of Fire around Dothan
An army of fire seen with opened eyes
Story
The king of Aram secretly chose places to camp so he could strike Israel, but each time the king of Israel knew ahead of time and avoided them. The king of Aram asked his officers, “Which of you is on the side of the king of Israel?” One of his officers answered, “None of us, my lord. The prophet Elisha tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in your bedroom.”
When the king of Aram heard that Elisha was in Dothan, he sent horses and chariots and a great army by night and surrounded the city. Elisha's servant went out at dawn and cried, “Oh, my master, what shall we do?” Elisha said, “Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prayed, “Lord, open this young man's eyes so that he may see.”
The servant's eyes were opened, and the hills all around Elisha were full of horses and chariots of fire. Elisha prayed again, and the eyes of the Aramean soldiers were darkened. Elisha led them to Samaria, stopped the king of Israel from striking them down, and had them fed and sent home. What the servant felt that day as he looked around the hills was like the song the pilgrims sang in later years. That song goes like this: my help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and the Prophets
Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.
Lord, open this young man's eyes so that he may see.
Do not strike them down. Set bread and water before them so they can eat and drink, and then send them back to their master.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 2 Kgs 6:8–23
Background
Dothan was a hill town north of Samaria, on the road that crosses over into the Valley of Jezreel. It was also near Dothan that Joseph was sold by his brothers.
Pause and Reflect
Am I so focused on the threat in front of me that I forget God is with me?