The Blind Army

Thursday:	The Blind Army
Story Passage:	2nd Kings 6
Other Passages:
Objective:	Children should learn that God is very powerful, that there is none like him.

Introduction: [needed]

[needed]

Story: The Blind Army

The King of Aram [show visual] was at war with God's people, Israel. He kept trying to secretly get his army close to the King of Israel who was in Samaria. But no matter where he took his army, the King of Israel found out. This made the King of Aram mad. Which one of you is telling on us? he asked his soldiers [show visual]. It's not us, they answered, it's God's prophet, Elisha. He tells the King of Israel what you say in secret, in your bedroom. How did Elisha know where the enemy army was? Did he go listen? No, God told him where they were.

The King of Aram told his soldiers, Go find out where Elisha is so I can send men to capture him. His soldiers came back and said, He's in a place called Dotham. So the king sent horses and chariots and a strong army there [show visual]. They went at night when it was dark and surrounded the city where Elisha was.

The next morning, when Elisha's servant got up [show visual], he went out and saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city. Oh, what are we going to do? he asked Elisha [show visual]. Don't be afraid, Elisha answered. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed, O Lord, open his eyes so he may see. And God made it possible for the servant to see what Elisha knew was there [show visual]. He saw many angels all around them. He looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

As the enemy army came towards him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, Make these people (in the enemy army) blind. And God did.

Then Elisha said to all the blind enemy soldiers, This is not the road and this is not the city (that you are looking for). Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for. And he lead them to the King of Israel in Samaria. When they got there, Elisha prayed again and asked God to let them see again. When they looked up I bet they were scared! The King of Israel asked Elisha, Shall I kill them? No, said Elisha, don't kill them. Feed them and give them something to drink and send them home.

So the king had a big meal (feast) fixed for them. After they ate, he let them go home and they stopped bothering Israel.

Application: God's Omnipotence

Our God is very strong. Stronger than people, stronger than anything. He helped Elisha know where the enemy army was, he sent his angels to help, and he made the enemy army blind for while. No one but God could do those things.

[Pray and thank God for his strength and care.]

Copyright © 2004—2007, Jill Eady and the Galion Grace Brethren Church. See licensing for information about rights and permissions. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.