11/3/19 - Elisha and the Syrians, and God's Unfair Grace.

Good morning parents! 

This past week we spent out Sunday School hour in 2 Kings and talking about Elisha's encounter with the Syrian army! We saw Elisha and his servant looking out at a surrounded city, and Elisha's servant was scared. Elisha prayed for God to open his eyes, and he was able to see chariots of fire surrounding the Syrians. Elisha prayed fro God to strike them with blindness (or confusion) and led them into the middle of the Samaria. Instead of slaughtering them, Elisha told the king of Israel to feed them instead and sent them back home. 

Instead of using his power to smite the Syrian army, God demonstrates his power and his mercy! This isn't "fair" though, and we often think of God as unfair in the punishments he dishes out. Rarely do we look at stories like this where God stays his hand and shows incredible mercy where none is deserved. Next week we are moving out of 2 kings and pushing into the prophets! 

In youth group we spent some time talking about how God's Justice and our concept of fairness are two separate things. 
We spent some time in Matthew 20, talking about the laborers in the vineyard. The people who worked a full day were given the same pay as the ones that worked only a few hours. Depending on what side of the equation you are on, we would feel very differently about that. Salvation often works the same way, and our concept of fair cannot understand God's infinite grace. 

Next week we have the service retreat! Thanks for stopping by!