Lynda Pongracz, Elisha: Prophet of the Faithful God (2008)
Lesson 6: “Believe the Good News”
God ends the seige of the Syrian Army
Scene 1: The Syrian army surrounds Samaria and its citizens begin to starve to death. [They
also engage in cannibalism of their own children, but the GNC lesson curiously omits this.]
You need to be rescued from something more terrible
than starvation and famine — sin: “There is something
even more terrible that people need to be rescued from
today.... Everyone is born into the world with sin.... The
sinful desires in your heart show in different ways.... The
punishment for sin is spiritual death—to be separated (away) from God forever in a
place of darkness, suffering and sadness....”
Scene 2: Israel’s king is so frustrated that he plots to kill Elisha. God warns Elisha, and when
the king arrives, Elisha tells the king not to surrender but to wait for God’s deliverance,
which Elisha promises is imminent.
You don’t deserve God’s love: “God knows you are in
the danger of sin, and He wants to rescue you because
He loves you.... It’s amazing to think that God, who is
holy—perfect and pure from all sin—loves you in spite of
your sin. You don’t deserve God’s love, but He gives it
freely to you. He wants you to live forever with Him in Heaven someday....”
Scene 3: God sends a delusion on the Syrian army so that that they hear the sound of an
approaching army. After the frightened Syrians leave, four lepers outside Samaria enter the
camp, and partake of the food, drink, weapons, and treasure left behind. The lepers decide
to share the “good news” with the Samaritans.
Witness to others, that some might be saved from
Hell: “God wants you to tell others the good news. God
has forgiven you—He’s rescued you from the danger of
sin’s punishment. How sad it it would be for you to keep
that good news to yourself!.... Why is it so important to
tell the good news? Because without it, people will die in
their sins and be forever separated from God.”
Scene 4: The lepers tell the gatekeeper, and the word spreads around the city. They rush
into the Syrian camp and eat, saving themselves from death.
God made a way for you to be rescued from sin’s
punishment: “He did it by sending His Son, the Lord Jesus,
into the world to take your punishment for you.... He willingly
gave up His life by letting wicked men nail His hands and feet
to a cross. As He suffered and died there, God placed all
your sins upon Him. He took the punishment of death and separation from God the
Father for you....”
© Intrinsic Dignity
