By Olubunmi Adebayo
*Today we shall be concluding our discussion on lessons that we can learn from the lives of the four leper outcasts we mentioned yesterday.*
*Yes, there are great lessons to learn from this category of people whom most of us would not give a second look for any consideration.*
*Please pay attention to the following issues that were raised by their actions :*
*1) Lesson in Courage :*
*The four lepers displayed classical individual and group courage that is worthy of emulation by everyone.*
*They showed braveness in the face of the gruelling challenges facing the people of Samaria. They dared all the odds to step out into the camp of the enemy. Their action was like saying “if we perish we perish” :*
*2 Kings 7: [3] And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?*
*[4] If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.*
*2) Lesson in Rationality and Logicality :*
*The four lepers displayed unusual sound mindedness. They argued back and forth among themselves showcasing logicality and rationality. They reasoned :*
*A) Famine is in town. They concluded that if they stayed where they were, the famine would end up killing them as it had been killing others already.*
*B) They reasoned that only two options were opened to them in going to the camp of the enemy – either they were killed over there, or spared.*
*C) They took their fate in their hands believing in God for the very best, displaying a great dimension of faith thereby :*
*2 Kings 7: [4] If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.*
*3) Lesson in Selflessness :*
*When they got to the camp of the enemy and unexpectedly met an open camp with food and other valuables, they ate and took some things for themselves, but they later reasoned selflessly with the thought of “the afterwards” playing a critical role in determining their decision to go ahead and tell others too :*
*2 Kings 7: [8] And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.*
*[9]Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.*
*From the above, the four lepers were the considerate bunch.*
*They were handicapped, but were still thoughtful in caring for others.*
*They knew they could be mocked and doubted by the generality of people when they appeared before them, yet they were still willing to be of help to them anyhow.*
*They ate and were relieved of hunger, but felt bad that others were not being given a thought on how they too would be fed in the face of their collective sufferings and devastation.*
*4) Lesson in “the God Factor” :*
*They acted conscious of the fact that they have been situationally chosen by God. They were not abstract minded concerning the god factor. By this, they knew and believed that God had positioned them for a critical role in times like this for their generation. They were conscious of the role that God had for them. They went straight to the kings palace so that the entire city can benefit from what they had benefited from too :*
*2 Kings 7:9……now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.*
*[10] So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.*
*You will agree with me that though these four lepers were seen by the society as outcasts and unfits, their actions carried great weight of moral thoughtfulness and godly principles that should not be swept under the carpet, but rather one we should all learn from and emulate to improve our lives and our social interactions with others and with our God.*
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
