2 Kings, 7
3. Now at the entrance to the gate -- for they were afflicted with virulent skin-disease -- there were four men and they debated among themselves, 'Why sit here waiting for death?
3. Now at the entrance to the gate -- for they were afflicted with virulent skin-disease -- there were four men and they debated among themselves, 'Why sit here waiting for death?
2 Kings 7 deals with Samaria's liberation from hunger imposed by Syrians through divine intervention. The chapter begins with the prophecy of the prophet Elisha that there would be a large supply of food in the city. This happens through the fear that God imposes on the Syrians, who abandon their supplies and flee. Four lepers, excluded from the city, find the treasure left by the Syrians and share the news with the Samaritans, who finally enjoy the abundance. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in 2 Kings 7.
Psalm 33:18: "But the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, over those who await his mercy." The prophet Elisha trusts God's intervention to save the people of Samaria from hunger, and this confidence is reinforced by the certainty that God is aware of those who fear him and wait for his mercy.
Proverbs 21:1: "The king's heart is like streams of water in the hand of the Lord; he leans him wherever he wants." Divine intervention in Samaria's situation is a demonstration of God's power and sovereignty, which is able to influence even foreign nations rulers to fulfill their purposes.
Isaiah 33:6: "And there will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; and the fear of the Lord will be your treasure." The abundance that comes to Samaria after the escape of the Syrians is a sign of God's goodness and care to his people, who can enjoy stability and salvation.
Jeremiah 51:10: "The Lord brought to light our righteousness; come and declare in Zion the work of the Lord, our God." The discovery of the treasure left by the Syrians by the lepers is a testimony of God's work to free his people from hunger and oppression.
John 6:35: "Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; He who comes to me shall not be hungry, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." Divine intervention in Samaria is a prefiguration of God's love and care for his people at all times, culminating in the person of Jesus, the bread of life that satisfies all spiritual and physical needs.
“Onde há mais sacrifício, há mais generosidade.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina