NOTES for Ki2 8:1-29

Elisha once again saves the woman who has already received many good things from him, warning her in time to seek refuge from the famine in the land of the Philistines. Meanwhile, Elisha himself goes to Syria and prophesies there about the fate of this still-pagan state and its kings.

One might rejoice both at the spread of prophetic preaching throughout the pagan world and at the opportunities that opened in a pagan land for those faithful to the Lord to obtain food peacefully, but this is a sorrowful joy. For paganism has once again gained strength in the Promised Land itself, and both kingdoms established in that land are again led by wicked kings who have corrupted their ways.

The election of the people called to walk before God did not end because of this. But because those who were called have turned aside from their calling, the proclamation of the highest Truth must not cease. This means that the Word of the Lord may be heard not by those who should have heard it first, but by those who did not seem ready for it. Yet the Lord, Who sees hearts and can raise up children for Abraham even from stones, knows when and to whom to send His prophets.