#366: Elisha and the Invisible Army- Elisha part 11

2Kings 6:8-23

In today’s thrilling episode, we follow the prophet Elisha as he delivers important messages from God that protect Israel. Despite facing a vast enemy army, Elisha places his faith in God, and shows us there are things we don’t always see.  Elisha’s servant’s eyes are opened and he’s amazed to see that all around him are horses and chariots of fire! A heavenly army standing guard!

Thanks to today's awesome guest, Ryan Coatney! Check out the wonderful resources he has created at Cross Formed Kids  to help as you disciple your family.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello again and welcome back to kids' Bible Stories. Today's
story is called Elisha and the Invisible Army. This is
Elisha Part eleven and comes from Second Kings, Chapter six,
verses eight through twenty three. Today's episode is made possible
thanks to the generosity from the following families. Thank you

(00:24):
to five year old Anthony from Illinois and his brothers
Zach and Joey also playing a part. Our newest Patreon
members Katherine and Mary, and thanks Zoe Zaier and Aaliyah.
Whether you support this podcast through a one time donation
or a monthly or yearly Patreon membership, you play a
big part in keeping this podcast in existence for kids

(00:46):
to hear the Bible in this way, so thank you.
If you would like to join them and check out
our bonus content for the episodes, just go to kbspodcast
dot com and click bonus content or check out today's
show notes. Okay, listeners, we have two groups we need
to know about for today's episode, so let's do a

(01:08):
quick who's who moment before we start. First, we have.

Speaker 2 (01:14):
The King of Israel, Hydel, who ruled over God's chosen people,
the Israelites, and we have the second group.

Speaker 1 (01:25):
The King of Syria.

Speaker 3 (01:27):
Why hello, that's me who ruled.

Speaker 1 (01:31):
Over a kingdom that was often at war with Israel.
And of course we have the prophet we've been talking
about in the past episodes. What's his name, listeners? Ilusha?
Very good, Okay, let's go ahead and jump right into

(01:52):
today's story. The land of Israel was in trouble. The
King of Syria, a powerful enemy, was planning attacks against them.

(02:13):
He would gather his commanders and whisper, we.

Speaker 4 (02:22):
Will set up camp here and surprise Israel.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
But no matter how carefully he planned, something strange kept happening.
Israel always knew exactly where he was going to attack. Well,
there was a man an Israel named you guessed it, Elisha,

(02:49):
a prophet of God. God would tell Elisha the enemy's plans,
and Elishah would send this message to the King of Israel.

Speaker 4 (03:04):
Be careful, don't go near that place. The Syrians are
going down there.

Speaker 1 (03:11):
Time after time, Israel avoided their enemies attacks because of this. Obviously,
this made the King of Syria furious. None of his
attacks were working. How in the world was this happening.
He could only think of one reason. Slamming his fist

(03:36):
on the table. He shouted at his officers.

Speaker 3 (03:39):
Someone in this room is a traitor who is telling
the King of Israel my plans.

Speaker 1 (03:46):
One of his officers nervously stepped forward. Oh my lord,
it is not one of us, he said. It is Elisha,
fit of Israel. He knows everything, even the words you

(04:07):
whisper in your bedroom. The King's eyes narrowed in anger,
and sternly.

Speaker 3 (04:14):
He replied, find him, Find Elisha. I will send my
army to capture him.

Speaker 1 (04:25):
Off the King's spies went in search of Elisha. They
returned with this report. Excuse me, sir, we know where
he is. Elisha is in Dothan. That night, under the

(04:57):
cover of darkness, the king sent it's a mighty army, chariots, horses,
and soldiers marching to Dothan. They surrounded the city while
everyone slept. Early the next morning, Elisha's servant yawned, stretched

(05:29):
and stepped outside ah. But when he looked up, his
heart stopped. All around the city, glinting in the early
morning sun, were soldiers, chariots, horses. The enemy had completely

(05:49):
surrounded them. His hands trembled as he ran back inside.

Speaker 4 (05:59):
Elisha, Or what do we do? Or trapped.

Speaker 1 (06:04):
Elisha, calm as ever, placed a hand on his servant's
shoulder and smiled.

Speaker 4 (06:11):
Don't be afraid, he said, there are more with us
than there are with them.

Speaker 1 (06:19):
The servant blinked more with them. That didn't make sense.
What was Elisha talking about? There were only two of them. Listeners,
hold up two fingers. Good. It was Elisha and himself

(06:41):
one two against an entire army. Keep listening, you'll understand
what Elisha's talking about. Then, Elisha prayed.

Speaker 4 (06:57):
Lord, please open his eyes so he may see.

Speaker 1 (07:02):
Suddenly, the servant gasped his eyes wide in wonder. All
around them he saw on the mountains horses and chariots
of fire, a heavenly army standing guard around Elisha. The

(07:23):
servant's fear melted away. God was protecting them. The enemy
soldiers moved toward Elisha.

Speaker 4 (07:35):
Elisha prayed, Lord, please strike them with blindness.

Speaker 1 (07:43):
Suddenly, the soldiers they couldn't see. They stumbled, confused and helpless.
Elisha walked right up to them. Listeners, tell me again,
why could Elisha do this without getting hurt?

Speaker 2 (08:03):
God blinded them, Yes.

Speaker 1 (08:07):
So remember they can't see that it's Elisha. Okay, let's
listen to hear what Elisha does. Next, Elisha told the soldiers.

Speaker 4 (08:20):
You're in the wrong place. Follow me and I'll take
you to the man you seek.

Speaker 1 (08:26):
Blind and unsure, the army followed Elisha right into Samaria,
where the King of Israel was waiting. When they arrived,
Elisha prayed.

Speaker 4 (08:43):
Lord, now please open their eyes that they may see.

Speaker 1 (08:49):
The soldiers looked left and right, their mouths hung open
in shock and fear. Oh, they were surrounded. They had
walked right into Israel City. The King of Israel turned
to Elisha and asked, shall I strike them down? But

(09:11):
Elisha shook his.

Speaker 4 (09:13):
Head, no, would you strike down those you've captured? Instead,
feed them, give them some bread and some water, and
send them back home.

Speaker 1 (09:26):
So the King of Israel prepared a great feast for
his enemies. After they ate and drank, he sent them
back to their home, and from that day on, the
Syrians didn't come to attack the land of Israel again.

(09:50):
Well that is it for our story today. But before
we go, let's think about what we just heard. Tell
me how loud? Why was the King of Syria so
mad at Elisha?

Speaker 3 (10:08):
Elisha kept telling the Almy's plans, So as a king
of Syria couldn't win.

Speaker 1 (10:14):
Thanks for sharing.

Speaker 2 (10:17):
Well.

Speaker 1 (10:17):
Eventually, the King of Syria does find Elisha and has
his huge army surround him and his servant. When Elisha's
servant sees this, what does he think? He was scared? Yeah,
I mean there's only two of them versus a massive army.

(10:43):
I think how he felt is pretty normal. I bet
most of us would be a little scared. But then
Elisha reminds him of the truth, which we do not
always see so clearly, dew we when God allows this
to really see the truth, what does he see?

Speaker 2 (11:07):
He saw chariots of fire, he sees.

Speaker 1 (11:10):
The heavenly army. Yes, and it works out great for
Israel and Elisha. But let's remember whose amazing power was
it that kept them safe.

Speaker 2 (11:27):
God's power.

Speaker 1 (11:30):
That's right, God's power. This week, you and I probably
won't face armies, but we may face other things that
seem scary or impossible. Maybe it's doing show and tell
in front of your class. Maybe you were learning to
read or do speech therapy and it just seems impossible

(11:55):
and a little scary. I want you to remember what
we heard to say day. Remember that the god we
heard about in today's scripture. Well, that's the same God
who loves you and knows you. God shows us that
even when things seem scary or impossible, his power is

(12:20):
even stronger. Well that is it for our story today.
A special thanks to Ryan Coteney with cross Formed Kids
for being our wonderful guest playing the part of the
King of Syria today. Check out the show notes to
learn more about cross Formed Kids and they're amazing resources
that help in discipling your family. Listeners. Stay tuned for

(12:43):
the next episode to see what happens next in our
Elisha series. Thanks again everybody, and as always, bye for now.