OK! The last few days we have been telling this story from II Kings. But, what in the world does it have to do with us? Hang on… This entire story brings us to a very specific thought. Notice, the lepers said to each other, “We do not well” (We are not doing right). “This day is a day of good tidings and we hold our peace” (remain silent). They knew they shouldn’t hoard all this for themselves. 

They said, “If we tarry till the morning light some mischief [calamity, evil] will come upon us.” They decided to “go and tell the king’s household.” King Jehoram didn’t believe Elisha’s prophecy and was skeptical of the leper’s report but sent two chariots to investigate. Indeed, the spoil was great and the people looted the camp. Indeed, flour and barley were sold cheaply just as the prophet predicted. 

The officer who had so cynically sneered at Elisha’s word from the Lord was assigned to the gate and witnessed the fall of inflation but was trampled by the people and never ate of the rich spoil.

I find two very powerful principles from this story that relate to our ongoing theme regarding the cross. 

Principle #1: We are to be going, not staying

God’s army in this battle was four lepers limping across the plain. He used them because they were willing to go. As soon as someone was willing to go out and meet the enemy, God gave a victory and ended the famine. God was waiting on someone, anyone to go. This is convicting to me… is God waiting for ME?