27/10/2023 - THEY LACKED ONE EVIDENCE

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But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send them!” Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. 2 Kings 2.17

It was not easy for the newly appointed prophet to have to endure those who saw the move of God that day. They beheld the glory of heaven and witnessed what no one else saw. However, they did not give up and provoked those who already occupied the prophetic succession. Even though they had heard from God’s servant that Elijah was in Glory, it did them no good. Perhaps they thought it was a bit of an exaggeration on Elisha’s part. So they sought him out!

Never push it, for the person may get bored and authorize something outside of God’s will. However, since the servants of the Lord are no different from other people, they may end up authorizing what was not foreseen. It is imperative for the believer to trust in the Most High, who has the best for him, and never ask for something out of fear, because he will suffer loss!

After Jesus had multiplied five loaves and two fish and fed five thousand men, plus women and children (Matthew 14.14-21), He went to the mountain to pray and saw the disciples rowing with difficulty. When they saw Him they cried out in fear, thinking He was a ghost (Matthew 14.22-26). Fear stole the lesson He would give us when crossing to the other side!

Since those disciples of the prophets insisted on sending 50 brave men to see what had happened to Elijah, the new prophet consented. Why did they do that if they saw that the Lord approved of Elisha? The men persisted until the prophet changed his mind. Moses failed to enter Canaan because the Hebrews pressured him; so instead of speaking to the rock, he struck it twice (Numbers 20:11,12). The Rock symbolized Jesus, who could not have been smitten twice!

Finally, Elisha said to them: “Send them”! And with the greatest joy, as well as empty recommendations and hope, the band of brave men was sent. The doubters wanted to know if God had thrown Elijah into some mountain or valley. Now here is the question that we will never have an answer for: why did they do it? No one knows, not even them. After three days, the fifty returned empty-handed, making fools of themselves. Beware, because desperation can make you act foolishly. Act by faith!

The same is true of those who do not follow Bible doctrine. No one is able to lay another foundation. The Word speaks of this: For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). Where do we find in the Bible anything about being able to pray to a servant of God from the past? Millions of people believe wrongly and call on the dead!

We do not know with what face did the disciples of the prophets appeared before Elisha. From the beginning, he told the 50 not to be sent. In the end, they came back ashamed, as well as those who had the idea. Those men risked their lives in the hills and valleys, where there were wild animals. Never do something useless!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares