WHAT IS THE SCIENCE OF LOVE and what impact can the living of this love—even by one individual—have on one's life and the larger world around? The Bible story of Elisha at Dothan (see II Kings 6:8-23) offers a prime illustration of this divine power to practically and effectively resolve even the most dangerous conflict and bring safety and peace, not only to one or two people but to an entire region.
Elisha was a kind and gentle man, but he was also a spiritual tower. His love of God and his spirituality elevated him to be a peacemaker. When an army from Syria was sent to Dothan to take him captive, he was not awed by it. He saw this as an opportunity to bless the Syrians, as well as save the armies of Israel. Even though he and his servant looked defenseless as the Syrians surrounded the city, Elisha's prayer for protection led them to safety in an unusual way, and resulted instead in the capture of the Syrians. In the end, Elisha arranged for his would-be captors to be fully fed and sent back to their homes unharmed. The result? "The bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel,"
Elisha's spirituality lifted him above the politics of his day. His humanity led him to deal kindly with both Syrian and Israelite. He saw them all as God's children. His threatened capture brought out a compassion for both. He found protection not only for himself and his servant, but for all of Israel. He proved God's law of love and harmony to be intact, thus demonstrating the Science of Love.
