#148: The Wrong Way

Published by Ben Stahl on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021

Now 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.” But he led them to Samaria. So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria.

II Kings 6:19-20 NKJV

Along a busy divided road near our home there is a Planned Parenthood. Next to the road is a sign warning drivers of danger in the event they are driving on the wrong side of the road. The sign simply says, “Wrong Way.” On occasion we use that traffic sign to draw the attention of men and women going to Planned Parenthood that they are in fact going the Wrong Way. We warn them from the Scripture that the way of murder, sinning against God, is the way of death and therefore the wrong way. We warn them that denying the Word of God and Christ the Word made flesh is the way of death and therefore the wrong way. We also tell them of the person, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ for sinners like us. Calling them to repent and believe in Christ alone for salvation we show them the right way of life in Christ.

The soldiers of Jericho were going the wrong way when they went to Rahab’s house to find the spies of Israel. She told them as much when she told them the spies were not there (Joshua 2:1-8). Pharaoh was going the wrong way when he ordered the murder of every male Hebrew baby born in Egypt and the midwives told him as much when he called them to give a report (Exodus 1:15-22). So it was with the Syrian army that was sent to Dothan to capture or kill Elisha the prophet. They were going the wrong way and Elisha told them just that, “this is not the way, nor is this the city.”

This does not seem to be a ninth commandment issue but rather Elisha leading the Syrian army from the wrong way of their sinful mission into the hands of the King of Israel. Being blind, the Syrian army followed Elisha who led the army about 12 miles to Samaria, the capital of Israel and headquarters of the Israelite army. Upon arrival Elisha prayed again for the eyes of the Syrians and this time for the eyes to be opened. God opened their eyes and they saw where they were – inside Samaria.

Sometimes the Lord shows us the wrong way we are going in miraculous fashion as he did with the Syrian army. Ordinarily he uses His Word which warns us when we are sinning, “this is not the way.” All the pleasures of the world, the orders of kings, the rulings of our courts, the threats of the wicked, the enticements of our friends and family may be calling us to go the wrong way, but God warns us to turn from the way that seems right to a man but the end thereof is the way of death (Prov. 14:12).

Which way are you going today? Are you going the wrong way that leads to sin and death or the narrow way that leads to Heaven? There is a guide to teach us the way that we should go and it is Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior who is the “way, the truth, and the life.” He has revealed Himself and His way to us in His Word which is the perfect rule for faith and life. Follow Christ. Follow His Word and you will be following the right Way. When at last your eyes close on earth, if you follow Him, they will not open to see Samaria, but Heaven, and Christ Jesus seated at the right hand of God.

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