The Battle Strategies of God -- God is Standing up for the Prophets
In 1Kings 17, Elijah the prophet is confronted by a people group who believe their god gave them rain, so Elijah prophesied that His God would stop the rain for a while, and He did. In this way, God proved His power, and confirmed the word of the prophet Elijah.
In 2Kings 6:18, when an army came against the people God loved, they were struck blind, fed, and sent home. In this way they came to understand the power of God and no longer troubled the prophet.
Here is the backstory, which takes place in modern day Syria:
8 Now the king of Aram was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, saying, “Be careful that you do not pass this place, because the Arameans are coming down there.”10 And the king of Israel sent scouts to the place about which the man of God had told him; so he warned him, so that he was on his guard there, more than once or twice.
11 Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this matter; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 One of his servants said, “No, my lord, the king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, so that I may send men and take him.” And it was told to him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent horses and chariots and a substantial army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “This is hopeless, my master! What are we to do?”16 And he said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness in accordance with the word of Elisha.19 Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he brought them to Samaria.
20 When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, so that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” 22 But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set bread and water before them, so that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” 23 So he provided a large feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel."
God cares about warfare, codes of conduct, while ridding the land of demonic activity, and therefore sparing the innocent humans who just follow orders.
Romans 12:20 states, If your enemy is hungry feed him, if your enemy is thirsty, give him something to drink, for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."
I don't believe for one moment that burning coals are meant to harm, for giving food to an enemy is an act of the love of God to turn them to Him. For Jesus said in His Own sermon, Love your enemies, pray for them, and even turn the other cheek. And yet there is place given for taking up one's weapon to defend one's self, as Jesus told Peter, in Luke 22:36.
When God came in all His glory to the Temple in Ezekiel's day, burning coals were used to cleanse, purify, and make ready a city for the entrance of God's presence. [Ezekiel 10:2] Most enemy combatants are just following orders, so in God's mercy, everyone has a chance to repent.
In Acts 13:10-12, a man was struck blind, for a while, for making the ways of the Lord crooked before the people of God.
I am seeing a pattern of battle strategy which I believe is significant in our day. The manner in which the enemy tries to thwart, mislead, redirect, or outright stop the will of God, is the manner in which the enemy is stopped.
In the case of Elymus, in the Book of Acts -- he tried to make a name for himself by causing people to "see" his magic, and be afraid, and obey him. So, God took his sight, to show him Who gives sight to the blind.
So, now I come to the point where we pray for our enemies. Hmm, what to pray? Lord strike them, like Elisha prayed, and God says, No, feed them? Or, Lord blind them -- but wait, they are already quite obviously blinded by the devil, so, then, do I pray, Lord Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, and let God do whatever He has already planned? Yes, that is easier. But God desires, when in the Council of God, as a prophet, the command of faith which sends the decree so that it can be fulfilled according to Christ's Own precedent set when He commanded the Centurion's son to be healed, and sent the Word to do so.
So, then, it is healing God desires.
It is written: "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, I will heal their land."
This comes with the cleansing, purifying coals that come from between the Cherubim, as You ride over a region and reveal Your glory. So, then, let it be done, as You desire, Lord.
Come Lord Jesus.
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