Just outside the walls of Samaria sat four lepers having a conference. The topic was death—theirs.
In the strange fellowship of suffering, four lepers discuss their three options. Option 1: “Why are we sitting here until we die?” (2 Ki 7:3). They could stay where they were and die of their disease. Question: What must a person do to end up in hell? Nothing! Just go on living with the disease of sin coursing through your veins. Without Christ, we are “condemned already” ( Jn 3:18). Option 2: “If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there” (2 Ki 7:4). The city pictures all the world offers, but there’s a famine there, as there will be in a future day, “a famine…of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). I hope Option 3 is better! “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 Ki 7:4). Let’s throw ourselves on the mercy of the enemy, and maybe they won’t kill us. So it’s decided. They make their way to the first tent. “To their surprise no one was there” (v 5). The Lord had frightened the Syrians with the sound of approaching armies, and they fled, leaving everything behind. As they reveled in the food, clothes, and newfound riches, it suddenly dawned on them, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent” (v 9). To the city gate they came and shared the news. When the king heard, he said, “Praise the Lord.” Not exactly. As with many who hear the good news, he said, “It’s a trick.” But a wise servant said, “Let’s send a few to go and see.” Sure enough; it was as the lepers said. Enough for all! And the doubter? As the gates swung open, he saw all that God had provided for them, but the people, mad with hunger, trampled him to death (v 20). Oh the tragedy of those who see, but will not have, God’s free Gift!