King James Version
9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things?
prudent, and he shall know them?
for the ways of the Lord are right,
and the just shall walk in them:
but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Does GOD bless Syria, and Lebanon?
In the Old Testament, He did.
In instances where He willed it.
This story begins with JESUS alerting me to a particular verse.
All because we were writing about "A SACRED calling".
I was intrigued by a particular verse:
Luke 4:24-27
King James Version
27 And many lepers were in Israel
in the time of Eliseus the prophet;
and none of them was cleansed,
saving Naaman the Syrian.
Who was "Naaman"?
Why was he the ONLY ONE "cleansed"?
And a Syrian yet?
Who was "Eliseus"?
So I searched Scripture, and found this chapter on Elisha ("Eliseus"), and Naaman, the leprous Syrian general.
Elisha was a disciple of prophet Elijah.
These were two prominent Jewish prophets.
JESUS always loves quoting from the Old Testament.
I'm merely following His "lead".
For He led me to another set of verses:
Luke 4:24-27
King James Version
25 But I tell you of a truth,
many widows were in Israel
in the days of Elias,
when the heaven was shut up
three years and six months,
when great famine was throughout all the land;
26 But unto none of them was Elias sent,
save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon,
unto a woman that was a widow.
Who was "Elias"?
Where was "Sarepta"?
Why was there a famine in Israel?
Why did GOD send Elias to the Sareptan widow, and NOT to Israel's widows?
This chapter tells us the whole story.
JESUS called it Sarepta in the New Testament.
In the Old Testament, it was called "Zarephath", a small Phoenician town.
As we know, when we say ""Phoenicia", it is referred to as modern-day Lebanon.
"Elias" was also called "Elijah", the prophet.
Why did GOD send TWO Jewish prophets to Naaman, the Syrian general, and to the Sareptan widow, and NOT to those of Israel?
JESUS answers that very easily:
Luke 4:24
King James Version
24 And he said,
Verily I say unto you,
No prophet is accepted
in his own country.
Some people listen to prophets; some don't.
Israel was notorious for not listening to her prophets.
JESUS cautioned His disciples, for He knew what was in man's heart:
Matthew 7:6
King James Version
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs,
neither cast ye your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them under their feet,
and turn again and rend you.
Thus, GOD sent Elisha, and Elijah, to a Syrian, and a Lebanese.
Everything GOD does is for His own perfect wisdom, and purpose.
Either to bless, or to curse.
It's time all of us realize GOD's truth, power, and mercy.
Israel may not have been the most obedient nation to GOD, but this is her people's destiny:
Zechariah 8:23
King James Version
23 Thus saith the Lord of hosts;
In those days it shall come to pass,
that ten men shall take hold
out of all languages of the nations,
even shall take hold of the skirt of him
that is a Jew,
saying, We will go with you:
for we have heard
that God is with you.
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