By Douglas Teague
Conditions in Samaria were horrific. Benhadad, king of Syria, had besieged the city and forced a terrible famine. Horrible atrocities were taking place. Mother boiled and ate their own children to survive (2 Kings 6:24-29). Their cup of misery and suffering was filled to capacity and overflowing.
Sitting at the city gates were four lepers weighing their options. In desperation, they determined to go to the Syrian camp and surrender. Upon arrival, instead of a hostile army they found an abandoned camp full of food, drink and treasure. Rejoicing in their good fortune, they began to plunder (2 Kings 7:3-8). In the midst of this activity we find this remarkable statement, ” …We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household” (2 Kings 7:9).
In this article, we will examine parallels between the lepers then and Christians today. We will examine the consequences of remaining silent and look at some reasons commonly offered for doing so.
Parallel’s (Then And Now)
There was a famine. Then, it was a literal famine that resulted in the lack of basic physical necessities requisite to the sustaining of human life. Today, it is a spiritual famine resulting in a lack of spiritual blessings requisite to the sustaining of spiritual life. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… ” (Hosea 4:6).
An abundance was freely available. Then, there was plenty of food, drink, and treasure in the abandoned Syrian camp. Today, there is an abundance of spiritual blessings freely available in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; Revelation 22:17).
Some found what they needed. Then, the lepers found physical blessings in the Syrian camp. Today, those who obey the Gospel and remain faithful are recipients of God’s spiritual blessings (1 John 1:7-9).
Action was required on the part of the recipient. Then, the lepers had to leave where they were (the city gates) and travel to where the blessings were (the Syrian camp). People today must make a willful decision to abandon sin (i.e. repent, Luke 13:3) and go to where God’s spiritual blessings are – in Christ (Galatians 3:27).
Here the similarities end. Then, the lepers realized what was right and acted accordingly. They reasoned that punishment awaited if they remained silent. They knew it was wrong to feast on the riches of the Syrian camp while their countrymen died of starvation and determined to share the good news of their discovery. Today, many Christians fail to act so wisely. The fact remains that today is a day of good news. Yet often God’s people remain silent as people all around are dying of spiritual starvation.
Make no mistake, there are grievous consequences for remaining willfully silent!
Three Consequences Of Remaining Silent
We break the direct commandment of God. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20, KJV). Observing all things certainly includes the first imperatives – to “go ye” and ‘teach.” This has been commanded, not suggested. There is no way to fully comply by remaining silent.
We fail in our mission as God’s people. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ” (1 Peter 2:9). As God’s own special people, we are commanded to proclaim the praises of God. It is self evident that such cannot be accomplished by remaining silent.
We will answer to God for our failing. ” Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me ” (Ezekiel 3:17). Verse 18 warns of the consequences. If Ezekiel failed to warn the people, their blood would be required at his hands. Today, you and I are God’s appointed watchmen. If we chose to remain silent we will be held accountable for our failure.
Given these clear and compelling consequences, why are so many remaining silent?
Reasons Offered
Immaturity. Many, through their own negligence, have failed to put forth the required effort to “grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). In a very real and tragic sense, they have voluntarily returned to spiritual Samaria and are subjecting themselves to a state of spiritual starvation. To parallel their plight to that of the lepers, they have chosen to sit at the gates and die (Romans 6:23).
Fear. The fearful are the first group mentioned as having, “their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone…” (Revelation 21:8). Paul reminds us, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:7-8). Christians are not to fear what man may say or do to them (Matthew 10:28). Rather, we are to ” Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Discouragement. Many are discouraged by the thought of being rejected (whether real or imagined). God’s universal law of sowing and reaping solves the dilemma. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). The farmer knows that not every seed planted will bring forth produce. He does not compensate by refusing to sow, but by sowing in abundance! “… He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ” (2 Corinthians 9:6). To convert more, we must teach more!
Each of these “reasons” are symptoms of a greater issue – apathy! The term “Christian” is a verb (an action word) not of a noun (a label we wear). The sooner we realize and accept this fact, the more faithful we will be!
Conclusion
If ever there was a day of good news, the time is now! We have a better hope (Hebrews 7:19), have been purified with better sacrifices (Hebrews 9:23), serve beneath a better covenant with better promises (Hebrews 8:6) and have prepared for us a better and enduring possession – heaven! (Hebrews 10:34; c.f. John 14:1-3). God has promised to be with and bless our efforts (Matthew 28:20; Isaiah 55:11). It is a fundamental truth that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Let us be as the lepers at Samaria and refuse to remain silent!
