When we left Samaria in chapter 6 there was incredible need in the city. The Syrian siege of the city had caused citywide starvation and panic. So in the midst of this, Elisha the prophet is told by God that by the next day food would be abundant. When he tells one of the city officials at the gate this news, the man dismisses the profit as foolish. For the record, this is a bad idea as we will soon see. Elisha even warns the man, to no avail.
About the same time there are four dying lepers who decide they have nothing to loose, so they head out to the massive Syrian encampment for a look. Upon arriving they find it completely abandoned. There are mountains of provisions and even the horses are still tied up outside of the tents. Unbeknownst to them the Lord had frightened the Syrians away by allowing them to hear the overwhelming Heavenly forces surrounding them.
After filling their bellies, these outcasts of society start thinking of all those in the city suffering. Even though they were abandoned by this community they still had compassion upon the people. So they head back to the city and tell of what they have found. The news is received with great suspicion, but once verified literally causes a mad rush.
Remember the official at the door who doubted and disrespected God in the way he treated Elisha. Well, the rush is so great as the starving people poor out of the city, that he is trampled to death where he stood. He heard of the blessing, saw others receive it, but did not get to partake himself.
We need to remind ourselves that no matter how impossible a thing might be, we serve an all powerful God that can do ANYTHING. We see the issues of faith and doubt addressed by the Lord Himself in Matthew 17:20 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
Our successful walk with God is predicated on our faith and trust in His power. Which by the way, has no limits in our lives, except the ones we place upon it because of our unbelief. The greater our FAITH, the greater His POWER!
2 Kings 7