2 Kings 7:1-2 – All things are possible to one who believes

Second Kings 7:1-2 would better go together with 2 Kings 6:32-33. It’s unfortunate the translators separated them into two different paragraphs. These two verses in 2 Kings 7 show us how Elisha responded to the king of Israel’s unbelief. The prophet had apparently counseled the king to trust the LORD and wait for divine intervention. The latter, however, could not wait any longer because of the deplorable condition in Samaria. Blaming the situation on Elisha and finally God, his final plan was to kill Elisha, break ties with the LORD, and surrender to the Arameans.

This is where 2 Kings 7:1-2 continue the account. Elisha was seen responding to the king’s decision. He promised that food would be cheap and in abundance by the next day.  How could the situation reverse so fast? It would take a miracle of God for that to happen. But Elisha was certain. For what he was speaking was on behalf of the LORD. In verse 1, he prophesied saying, “Listen to the word of the Lord; thus says the Lord, ‘Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.’” 

However, in verse 2 we see the officer through whom the king of Israel was receiving Elisha’s message doubted the prophet’s words. He expressed his unbelief. To him even if God should send rain immediately, the problem could not be solved. For his doubt and dampening faith, Elisha then predicted that he would see the provision of God in plenty but would not have the opportunity to taste any of it. His faithless stunt of unbelief was not only an affront to the prophet but also an affront to God.

Doubt and unbelief in the assurance of God will cause one to be excluded from His blessings. Hebrews 11:6 asserts that without faith it is impossible to please God. Here the officer of  King Jehoram proved this to be true. He did not get to experience the plenty that God had promised through Elisha. Don’t let doubt and unbelief rob us of the wonderful promises of God. He will never lead us into caves, but only through tunnels where the light will definitely be experienced at the other end. He is the God who can make a way when there seems to be no way!