2 Kings 7:3-8 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?… I. WHAT WAS THE STATE OF THE LEPERS, and what were their reflections? They were in a state of disease and want, perishing with hunger, and afflicted with a loathsome and grievous sickness. And what is our state by nature? The striking language of the prophet Isaiah well describes it: "The whole head is sick." Such are we naturally — we are spiritual lepers; and we have every reason to cry oat, when we view ourselves in the glass of God's Holy Word, and see what we really are, "Unclean, unclean." But these lepers were not merely afflicted with this sore disease, and had no whole part in their body, but they were also perishing with hunger — disease and famine were their portion. Sad state, you may exclaim. But our spiritual state by nature is in no wise better. The wholesome food of God's Word, which is the support and nourishment of the soul, lies untasted by our lips; it is food for which we have no relish or appetite; and yet, if we eat it not, we must languish and die. But herein lies a difference between us and the lepers. They longed for food, but could not get it: we can get it freely, "without money and without price," but we do not long for it. Let us turn next to the reflection of these men — "Why sit we hero until we die?" Oh, would that sinners perishing by spiritual famine would reason thus I — calmly consider their case, and see that if they remain unmoved — seek not for succour and support from Him who is able to save them from death — that death beyond a doubt will overtake them. II. THE EFFORT OF THESE LEPERS AND THEIR SUCCESS. "Now, therefore, come," said they, "and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians; if they save us alive, we shall live: and if they kill us, we shall but die." They resolved no longer to sit in misery and apathy beneath the comfortless and inhospitable walls of their beleaguered and impoverished city, but to go directly to the enemy's camp, and seek from their country's foes that which their own people could not give. And here, in a measure, is portrayed the course of the awakened sinner. He sees that if he remains as he is, death is certain, that his dwelling is the city of want and destruction. But oh, how different is, the prospect and hope set before him! He is not fleeing to the camp of an enemy, but to the shelter of an Almighty Friend. He need not flee in doubt of welcome, or in fear of death; and though unbelief and sin may cause him to tremble lest he should be rejected, yet if his faith be true, there is no real ground of danger, and he may adopt the language of the prodigal, "I will arise and go to my Father"; and he will find that welcome which a Heavenly Father rejoices to bestow. These lepers had no reason to regret the step they took; they exchanged poverty and famine for wealth and abundance surpassing their utmost conception or desire. Just so it is with sinners who flee from the city of destruction, and "go forth unto Jesus without the camp, bearing His reproach." When once they have made the effort, and advanced to the foot of the cross, and cast the burden of their sins on Him "who bare them in His own body on the tree," how great the change! how wonderful the deliverance! They were sitting like these lepers in darkness and the shadow of death; but, as our blessed Lord Himself declares, they have "passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). III. THE CONDUCT OF THE LEPERS AND ITS HAPPY RESULTS. Having feasted in abundance, and satisfied themselves with spoil, "then they said one to another, We do not well; this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace; if we tarry till the morning light some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household." So they went and announced the happy and unexpected news which at first appeared too good to be true. And are not far happier results brought about by the knowledge of the Gospel, and from other and higher motives? Selfishness appears to have chiefly dictated the lepers in their discovery. It does not seem that sympathy for their suffering brethren, anxiety to carry relief to those perishing by hunger within the city, urged them so speedily to the work of mercy as the thought that if they tarried till the morning light" some mischief would come upon them. But with the Christian it is altogether different. When he has had the burden of his sins removed, he is anxious to lead others to that Saviour he has found from the purest motives, — a zeal for the glory of God, a desire for the happiness of souls. (C. A. Maginn, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? |
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