DECISIONS FOR IMPACT (2)

“Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?” – 2 Kings 7:3

In this Old Testament story, four unlikely characters made Destiny-defining DECISIONS for IMPACT: “Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die” (2 Kgs 7:3-4). The decisions we make can have a great impact upon our lives, family, and many others. The same is true of the choices made by the four lepers in this story: societal outcasts who were motivated to make life-transforming decisions!

First, in the face of famine, there was a prophecy of amazing plenty: “Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria” (v.1b). Second, there was a scoffing noble and his prophesied demise: “So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, “Look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” And he said, “In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it” (v.2). Many see God Hand of blessings, but do not partake of these because of unbelief – a negative decision!

God is interested in individuals and the impact of their decisions. These lepers never thought their decisions would determine the fortune of an entire city. They were primarily motivated by natural self-preservation: “Why are we sitting here until we die?” (v.3b). They realized that they were dying, and evaluated their options: Go into Samaria and die; stay on the spot and die; or surrender to the mercy of the Syrians (v.4). They decided to enter into the Syrian’s camp at twilight and were surprised to find no one there (v.5). Why? The Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear noises of battle, and to flee in haste (vv.6-7).

Rather than fall into death, the lepers fell into a feast of abundance (v.8). These men of impact then reflected, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent...” (v.9). They were motivated by the need of others – a supernatural motive; and decided to relay the good tidings to the king’s household (vv.10-11). At first skeptical, the king decided to send out a scouting expedition: “Go and see!” (vv.12-14). The leper’s report was verified and the people partook in the bounties (v.16). The story ends with the demise of the scoffer (vv.17-20). Decisions define Destiny!