A Life Witnessed
2 Kings 7:8-9
8 And when these lepers came to the edge of the camp, they went into a tent and ate and drank, and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and went and hid them. Then they came back and entered another tent and carried off things from it and went and hid them.
9 Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king's household.”
This past week, the Kombai Missionaries SungKyu Choi and Jisook Kim came to visit us and shared the word of God. Jisook shared about the Kombai people that they serve in Indonesia, their work and process of translating the bible, and the struggles they face when teaching God’s word to the Kombai people. Jisook mentions that the Kombai people are culturally very spiritualistic and practice animism; they distrust things outside of their own culture, even modern medicine.
SungKyu shared how the Kombai often attributed illnesses to witchcraft. When his co-minister, Noak—a faithful Kombai convert—saw his son fall ill, he initially followed tradition by waiting out the “curse.” But as his son's condition worsened, Noak contacted SungKyu, who was in Korea at the time. Recognizing signs of malaria, SungKyu urged Noak to seek medical help immediately. Though hesitant, Noak took his son to the city, where he received treatment and recovered. Grateful, Noak later called SungKyu with the good news and vowed to encourage others in the village to seek medical care over traditional beliefs.
Why did Noak, a Christian, still follow his cultural traditions? The answer lies in 2 Kings 7. During a Syrian siege and famine in Samaria, the prophet Elisha proclaimed that God would deliver the city and provide food by the next day. A skeptical captain doubted this, so Elisha declared he would see the food but not eat it (2 Kings 7:2).
In that moment, Noak—like the captain in 2 Kings—struggled to trust in God’s power over his situation. It is not that he didn’t believe in God, but rather he didn’t believe that his God could defeat this “curse” afflicted on his son. The same could be said to any one of us, believer or not, our doubt can blind us to God's power at work and hinder us from experiencing His deliverance.
But it doesn’t end there, the story continues with starving Samarian lepers who decide to leave the city in search of food. As Elisha had prophesied, God caused the Syrian army to abandon their camp, leaving behind supplies. The lepers, amazed by the abundance, ate and plundered—but soon realized they had to share the good news with those still under siege.
Like the lepers, Noak found a similar abundance in the medical treatment his sick son received. The relief and joy that came from seeing his son recover must have felt like the food the starving lepers chanced upon. However, just like the lepers had done, Noak had not only enjoyed the benefit of his son’s treatment but also felt charged to share this news to others who did not believe.
So what can we learn from Noak and his experience?:
Truth is often hard to accept when it challenges our culture or assumptions.
We should recognize and rejoice in the blessings God gives us.
These blessings aren’t meant to be kept to ourselves—they're meant to be shared.
If you're struggling to share God's good news, ask yourself—have you truly delighted in His presence as Noak and the lepers did? SungKyu reminds us that our purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. When we seek Him daily and follow His commands, we receive His joy, which builds the confidence to share the gospel boldly and truthfully.
Reflection Questions:
Have there been moments when you, like Noak, trusted more in tradition or culture than in God's power? Why?
Do you truly delight in God’s presence daily, or have you been going through the motions of faith?
Are you actively looking for opportunities to share the good news of God with those who are still "under siege"?
