Gtcotr/ss092808
Key Scripture: Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
The question is not ‘whose side is God on?’ … but rather, ‘Who is on God’s side?’!
Bible pattern shows us that once God finds someone who will respond to Him, He often prepares them for greater use and uses them and blesses them over and over again.
This principle is understood and taught in a much greater sense in the Jewish faith and history. Rabbinical scholars, following the traditions of their elders, make historical claims which connect people named in one story to other stories in the Old Testament as well. These historical claims have been handed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.
Such is the case of the son of the Widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17. This widow was chosen by God to sustain the prophet Elijah and provide for him during the last period of a three and one half year drought. When Elijah met her, she was gathering sticks so she could prepare a last meal for her and her young son. God specifically chose this woman and her son for special blessing and use.
Jewish rabbinical teachings hold that this same little boy who was used along with his mother to attend the prophet’s needs grew up, was called into ministry himself and continually used by God as a prophet to the Gentiles. According to tradition we catch a glimpse of the life and ministry of this now gown up son of the widow of Zarephath, in the book of Jonah. That’s right, Jewish tradition has it that Jonah is this same young boy who was raised from the dead, this son of the widow of Zarephath, as recorded in 1 Kings 17. (ref: John Gill’s Expositor – Commentary, Jonah 1:1)
There are many other such accounts of people who get onto God’s list of usable servants. It seems that when God finds someone who will respond favorably to Him and His leading of the Spirit, God continues to use them over and over again, blessing them more and more each time.
Matthew 25:21 "His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
This is the principle Jesus revealed to us when He said, “If you have been faithful over a little, I will make you ruler over much.”
It is on this note that I find another interesting account in the bible. I am referring to the story of a Syrian leper who goes to visit a prophet in Israel and is ultimately cleansed of his leprosy. His name is Naaman and we find him in 2 Kings 5.
However, let’s begin our story a little earlier, at the end of the book of 1 Kings, a time when the evil King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel were ruling Israel.
It seems that Ahab, King of Israel and Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, were going up to battle against the Syrians at Ramoth Gilead. The order had gone out from the King of Syria to fight only against Ahab and focus every effort on killing him. Ahab had attempted to disguise himself and leave Jehoshaphat to catch Syria’s attention but from reading all accounts it didn’t work out that way.
After the Syrian commanders realized that they were chasing the wrong King, they quit pursuing Jehoshaphat and refocused themselves. It was at this point that scripture says:
1 Kings 22 KJV
34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
‘venture’ - translated from the Hebrew word: ‘tom’ tome
This word does in no way imply that the act of drawing the bow was done at random, just in passing or without aim as some versions indicate. Rather the opposite is true.
This word literally means: With integrity and uprightness, perfection and fullness; to be complete or with completeness.
Psalms 26:1 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity (tome): I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
Psalms 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect (tome) heart.
Proverbs 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly (tome).
These scriptures do not indicate randomness or carelessness but rather a purpose filled acts full of intent and focused attention. The only time this Hebrew word ‘tome’ is translated in any light other than perfection is in this story where it is translated ‘venture’.
Bear in mind that the Old English word venture can be used to give indication of one being employed on a certain and specific route with purpose, or to attempt something which one is unsure of the outcome. I do not think this Syrian soldier was haphazardly letting an arrow fly without a specific target in mind. Oh no, in my mind he took careful, perhaps much more careful aim knowing that this was a very difficult, perhaps impossible shot to make … but he tried it with all his skill and strength. He risked loosing for the chance to win.
After much study on this scripture, researching from many sources, I am confident that it is reasonably arguable that the man who drew this arrow back on his bow string did so with definite intent and full strength, aiming at a target impossible to hit, doing his very best as he believed he had the king of Israel in his aim. No one imagined he could do it since the shot was very far, the target well protected by armor and jostling unpredictably by the movement of the chariot in which the king was riding.
Nonetheless, undaunted by the challenges, this man, evidently touched by the divine providence of God, gives it his full attention, adding all the skill he has gained through his years, he takes aim in hopes that this one chance might hit its mark.
In reality, although he cannot know it, if he will only do his best here and get it as close as he can, God will care for the rest.
This man is most likely unaware that he has been chosen by God and that he is responding with his skill and strength to the call of the Lord upon his life. He has been prepared for such a time as this.
When the arrow hits its intended mark King Ahab, the evil King of Israel who has caused shame and curses to come upon God’s land and people, falls prey to his mortality. A small, almost inaccessible gap in the armor is penetrated and the King is wounded it seems either in heart or lung.
King Ahab died that evening thus ending the reign of this enemy of God’s will. But, what happens to this champion of the Syrian army, this skilled soldier used by God to defeat a foe and win a battle? How goes it with him? Did anyone notice his impossible shot? Many Jewish scholars believe so and tradition teaches that this man was amply rewarded and ultimately promoted in the ranks to become the captain of the hosts of Syria, second only to the King himself.
Now let’s turn the pages to a few years later, leaving the book of First Kings into the book of Second Kings. Elijah has gone on to be with the Lord in heaven and the young prophet Elisha has taken his place. After Ahab’s defeat Syria continued to raid Israel and took some Israelites captive as slaves. We pick up with the story in:
2 Kings 5 NKJV
1 ¶ Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.
2 And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife.
3 Then she said to her mistress, "If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy."
4 And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, "Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel."
5 Then the king of Syria said, "Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing.
6 Then he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which said, Now be advised, when this letter comes to you, that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.
7 And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me."
8 So it was, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, "Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel."
Now you can read the rest of the story how that Naaman was told to dip in the Jordan River seven times and be healed of his leprosy and how although he did not want to, he was convinced by his friends to go ahead and do it anyway and sure enough, Naaman was completely healed.
You know, there is something to say here about having good friends and counselors and there is also something to be said for people, even important commanders, proven leaders of men, even leaders chosen by God, who have a spirit to receive counsel from their trusted friends. Without this element of humility in Naaman’s life, perhaps he would have died a leper and perhaps the King of Syria would have taken revenge on the people of Israel for the death of his servant. Who can know … God does! …
At any rate, let’s get back to the meat of this morning’s message about ‘Who Is On The Lord’s Side?’
Did you catch what the bible said in verse one of chapter five?
2 Kings 5 NKJV
1 ¶ Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.
What do you think it means that the LORD had given victory to Syria by the hands of Naaman?
You see, according to the historical teachings of many Rabbinical leaders of Judaism, Naaman was that Syrian soldier we read about earlier from 1 Kings 22:34 who drew back his bow with such strength and skill to let his arrow fly to God’s appointed target, King Ahab. (ref: Adam Clarke’s Commentary by Gary Gallant – 2 Kings 5:1)
Well, not only did that soldier deliver Syria to victory that day, but he also delivered the Children of God from the worst King who ever sat upon the throne Israel. What truths can we glean from this story?
Point Number One:
Some things which may benefit our enemies may also benefit us.
There are many situations which can be turned into a win, win situation if left in God’s hands. We should not complain when our enemies are blessed by our victory. Our blessings come from God and not only from the defeat of our enemies.
God can and does at times use our enemies to defeat our enemies. Let God be God, trust Him and look only to Him as your source. Remember, God so loves the whole world …
Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you and do good to those who despitefully use you and persecute you …”. Matthew 5:44
Point Number Two:
This point concerns the young Israelite girl who was taken captive by the Syrians and compelled to serve as a maid to Naaman’s wife. Imagine both her and her parents. They were both deprived of family and their expectation of life. Even though it was a terrible loss nonetheless, this young girl’s faith and continued trust in God gave her significance and purpose as she participated in God’s plan.
No doubt she became a well favored young lady afterward and although nothing could ever replace what she lost, God helped her to blossom where life had planted her. Point number two is simply:
No matter where you are in life, you can make a difference.
Just keep the right attitude and remember what your parents taught you, if they taught you at all about God.
Also, invest in your children while there is time for you never know when they may be called upon to live life and make decisions without your continued input. Influence them while you can.
Point Number Three:
God has people on both sides of many issues.
So, be nice to people, even those who are different from you. Naaman was a Syrian and yet he was chosen and used by God.
You see, its not ‘Whose side is God on?’ but rather, ‘Who is on God’s side?’ Are you on God’s side? Respond to His spiritual leadership and He will bless and use you over and over again.
