CLEAN – podcast 10, (The Four Lepers)

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Introduction

• Previous studies in Section II (Leprosy) have studied four individual lepers. Today we will consider the lives of four lepers all together.
• Although these men are not healed of their leprosy, they end up in a positive, victorious place nonetheless.

Scriptural study: 2 Kings 6:24-31; 7:3-5, 8-10.

• Siege conditions in Samaria: famine!
• Cannibalism was forewarned in Deut 28—and mentioned several times in scripture.
• This is a desperate situation!
• The king’s anger is misdirected—towards Elisha—who soon predicts and end to the famine (7:1)
• We’re skipping the story of the faithless captain, as well as other important parts of the story, as these lie outside the text we are examining.
• Meet our lepers—four in all (7:3).
• Notice the role of reason. They have nothing to lose!
• Instead of encountering the Syrians, the camp has been abandoned -- full of food, supplies, money...
• A sumptuous feast was just a short walk away! (The Great Banquet is potentially as close to your neighbors as the distance to your home!)
• Their initial reaction is to horde. Yet, as with the message of Christ, the good news is to be shared!
• Since others are starving, not sharing would be a culpable, criminal behavior (v.9).
• They make a reasonable decision: to share.
• The matter is time sensitive. People are starving. People are dying.
• They came… and told… (v.10). Like the words of John: “Come… and see…” (1:39,46; 4:29; 11:34)
• Although these men were not cured of their leprosy, they are still winners:
  • Their lives are saved.
  • They purposed to save the lives of many others, and they saved a city.

Application

1. We are but poor lepers. We have nothing to lose!
2. We are in sin if we are keeping the message to ourselves.
3. People are starving for the truth, for an a authentic relationship with God.
4. Let’s share the good news: “Come and see!”
5. It’s time sensitive!