“Now Elisha came to Damascus. Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick. And when it was told him, ‘The man of God has come here,’ the king said to Hazael, ‘… inquire of the Lord through him, saying, “Shall I recover from this sickness?”’ (2 Kings 8:7–8 ESV).
Elisha traveled to Damascus, the capital of Syria, and his arrival stirred great attention. Though a prophet of Israel, he was known and honored by the Syrian king, Ben-hadad. The king, ill and desperate, sent his servant Hazael with a gift to inquire of the Lord through Elisha. This passage revealed that Elisha’s reputation had extended far beyond Israel. While many in Israel often rejected or resisted the word of the Lord through His prophets, the Gentile king of Syria sought Elisha’s counsel and called him “the man of God.” Elisha’s ministry bore similarities to Christ’s—not only in miraculous power and in the shared meaning of their names (“God saves” and “Yahweh saves”) but also in how their influence touched Gentile hearts. Just as Jesus was welcomed by Samaritans and praised in Gentile regions while being rejected in His own hometown, Elisha seemed to receive greater reverence in Syria than in Israel.
We are reminded here that God’s work is never limited by national or cultural boundaries. Like Elisha and ultimately like Jesus, we are called to be a light to the nations. We may not always be honored by those closest to us, but the gospel will find receptive hearts in unexpected places. Let us be faithful witnesses wherever God sends us, trusting that His name will be honored among the nations. And let us not overlook the openness of outsiders to the Word of God, even when insiders grow indifferent.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending messengers like Elisha and ultimately Your Son Jesus to bring salvation to all people. Help us to follow their example by carrying Your name to the nations. Give us eyes to see where You are already at work and hearts ready to obey. May Your name be honored through us, even in unexpected places. In Jesus’ name, amen.