Written by Daniel Kolenda; Christ for all Nations
There’s an obscure but incredible story in 2 Kings 7. After Solomon’s reign, Israel split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom (Israel) had Samaria as its capital, but it was a place of idolatry and institutionalised sin. Around this time, the Syrian army, led by Ben-Hadad, surrounded Samaria and put it under siege, causing a horrific famine. Food prices skyrocketed: a donkey’s head sold for 80 shekels (about R1500 today), and dove’s dung sold for 5 shekels. Even worse, in the previous chapter, we read of women boiling and eating their own children. Hungry people do desperate things.
Elisha’s prophecy
King Joram blamed God and threatened the prophet Elisha. But Elisha prophesied: “Tomorrow about this time, a measure of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.” In other words, the famine would be over and food would be practically free. The king’s officer scoffed, “Even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven, could this be?” Elisha replied, “You will see it with your eyes, but you will not eat of it.”
A day of good news
Four leprous men sat at the gate. They reasoned: “Why sit here until we die? If we go into the city, we die of famine. If we stay here, we die. So let’s go to the Syrian camp. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, we die anyway.” At twilight they went to the camp and found it deserted. The Lord had caused the Syrians to hear the sound of chariots and horses, so they fled in panic, leaving everything behind. The lepers entered a tent and ate and drank. They carried off silver, gold, and clothing, and hid them. After multiple trips, they realised there was more than they could ever use. Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This is a day of good news, and we keep silent. If we wait until morning, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go tell the king’s household.”
The crime of silence
Do you see the picture? These lepers were outcasts, dying of leprosy and starvation. They stumbled upon a feast, abundant food, and treasure. But they realised it was wrong to keep it to themselves. This is a day of good tidings – and we hold our peace? That is the crime of silence.
People are starving
We live in a starving world, spiritually. People are starving for truth, hope, and eternal life. They fill themselves with worthless things, but their souls remain empty. And we are like the lepers who have stumbled upon the feast of God’s grace. We have tasted forgiveness, peace, and purpose. We have bread that satisfies. But if we keep it to ourselves, we are not doing well. Imagine if a pharmaceutical company had a cure for cancer but withheld it for profit, allowing your loved ones to die. You would be outraged. Yet every day, the Church sits in beautiful buildings, feasting on God’s goodness, while millions outside are starving for what we enjoy. What a crime to keep the Gospel to ourselves!
A warning from Ezekiel
Ezekiel 3:18 warns: if we do not warn the wicked, their blood will be required at our hands. We are not angels looking down; we are beggars who have found bread, telling other beggars where to find it. These four lepers went back to the city where they were hated and ostracised, not to preach great sermons, but to share where they found bread. They didn’t bake it; they just delivered the news. And there was more than enough for everyone. All they had to do was reach out and take what was already provided.
A tragic ending
Yet the story ends in tragedy. The officer who doubted Elisha was put in charge of the gate. He saw the bounty coming in but was trampled to death by the eager crowd. He was so close, yet he never tasted the feast. The same Good News that saves you will damn you if you reject it. John 3:18 says, “Whoever believes is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already.”
Close to the Source
Near this very region is Jacob’s Well, the site of another story. Jesus met a Samaritan woman there. She was thirsty, but she was standing next to the Source of living water. She talked with the Messiah and didn’t know it until He revealed Himself. Then she dropped her bucket and ran to tell the whole town. That sinful, outcast woman became the first evangelist – she recognised Jesus before His own disciples did. When the disciples returned, they offered Jesus food, but He said, “I have bread to eat that you don’t know about.” They were standing next to the Bread of Life and didn’t realise it.
A call to action
The terrifying thought is this: you can be right next to the feast and still be starving. You can be at the well of living water and still die of thirst. Some of us are so close – yet so far. If you leave church saying, “That was a nice message,” you’ve missed it. There’s a call to action: if you’re starving, come and eat. If you’ve already eaten, go and tell.
Simple messengers
One more thing about the four lepers: after they went back and shared the Good News, the narrative never mentions them again. They disappear. No rewards, no monuments. They weren’t the heroes, they were just messengers. We are just beggars who found bread. Our job is not to be famous; it is to share the Good News and then step aside, so Jesus gets all the glory.
Go and tell!
So today, if you are hungry, come to the feast. If you are full, go and tell. Don’t be like the officer who saw the blessing but never tasted it. Don’t be like the disciples who stood next to the Bread of Life and didn’t see. This is a day of good tidings. Let’s not keep silent!
Click here to KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.
> Please support Christian media and journalism in South Africa. Help us to spread the Word of God and take a stand for the truth by making a donation to our ministry. We appreciate your support. Click here to take hands with JOY! Magazine.
Date published: 27/07/2026
Feature image: Sourced from original article published in the August issue of JOY! Magazine
DISCLAIMER
JOY! News is a Christian news portal that shares pre-published articles by writers around the world. Each article is sourced and linked to the origin, and each article is credited with the author’s name. Although we do publish many articles that have been written in-house by JOY! journalists, we do not exclusively create our own content. Any views or opinions presented on this website are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.
