In this prophetic picture of the Bride, we recall that the City of Samaria had been under siege by the army of the Syrians, resulting in a great famine in the City. The entire city, including the King and those of His household, were in great danger.

But notice who is outside the City:

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? (2Kings 7:3)

So we see that outside the City gates were four leprous men. These would normally get their sustenance from the City, except now there was a famine. After weighing their chances of survival, they went out to investigate the camp of the enemy — the Syrians:

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. (2Kings 7:8)

When the lepers came to the camp, there were no soldiers present, for they had all fled. What they found was food and drink, silver, gold, and raiment.

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. (2Kings 7:9)

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. (2Kings 7:10)

And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s house within. (2Kings 7:11)

Beloved, the above passages tell a very revealing, prophetic story of the Bride. Let us elaborate.

The City of Samaria is highly prophetic, in many ways, of the Believing World of today — those that make up the ‘Household of the King.’ Scripture rells us that the Jews do not have dealings with Samaritans (John 4:9). In the same way today, Jews have no dealings with those in the Faith of the evangelical Believers.

In another parallel, we are told that the Samaritans worshipped at Gerizim, at the mount of Blessings, yet they did not regard the other half of Yahuweh’s Testimony, the curse upon Mount Ebal (Deut 11:29). This too is an exact parallel to what is considered the ‘mainstream of the Faith’ among evangelical Believers today.

The name Samaria, Strong’s number <08111>, comes from <08104> — which means “keep, observe, watch, watchmen” — and implies those that are keeping/watching over the Word of Scriptures. The City-Congregation of today, however, has over time, become a mixed-multitude, having mixed Truth with the error of ‘Doctrines of Men.’

In the eyes of many that are still captive within the commercial City-Congregation, those among the Bride Company are considered as ‘lepers’ and ‘Outcasts,’ and are to be kept out of the Camp — outside the gates of the City-Congregation.

Likewise, those doctrines that do not agree with those of the City-Congregation are considered the camp of the enemy, and are strictly off-limits to all those of the City.

At some point, however, each one of the Leper-Bride Company will wander into the ‘enemy’ camp — the ‘enemy’ of traditional doctrine. For these Bride-Candidates are now searching the Scriptures on their own, and they are finding what they have never tasted of before: the prophetic, living Word of Yahuweh.

Notice what the lepers had found. This is exactly a picture of what the Bride has found today. The lepers found “meat and drink indeed” — of feeding on the Body and Blood of Messiah, in keeping Passover. They found the raiment of Wedding Garments — garments of righteousness, of allowing ‘Messiah in you’ to keep, by His Grace, His Sabbath Days, yes even all his Commandments He has spoken; and to walk daily in His Everlasting Covenant.

Indeed, the Bride Company had found the ‘silver’ of redemption by His blood, and the ‘gold’ that results from trials and testings brought by Yahuweh, to refine and to purify. Yes, they had found a great spoil — a great treasure, by seeking out, and becoming a “DO-er” of, His Word:

I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. (Psalms 119:162)

It was not long, however, before the lepers realised that they would be in big trouble with the King, if they did not go back to tell the King’s household of all the riches they had found.

Likewise, the Bride knows that unless she passes on this great treasure to the King’s household, she herself will be in trouble with the King, and that the great famine of the Word would continue in the City-Congregation of the King’s Household.

Thus we see one more Bride scenario. The outcast ‘Leper’ Bride has wandered into seeking the Scriptures on her own, even outside her own familiar Doctrinal camp; she has found great treasure, and has hidden this treasure for herself.

The Bride has been using the Treasure she has found, to prepare herself for the Bridegroom — but she now realises that she must pass along what she has found to the Household of the King. She perceives that the Famine is great, and there are yet many needing what she has found.

Conclusion

Dear Reader, the Scriptures have shown us the lepers, and how, by their discovery, the entire city was saved from famine and destruction. This example is for us today.

What does this lesson tell us?

Beloved, this parable reveals to us what is required of those who would follow Messiah, and the cost of following Him, in order to be found among the Wise Virgins.

Messiah tells us by a parable, that if we are going to build a house [build His dwelling place in our lives, so that we follow Him, and He dwells within us], we must first count the cost (Luke 14:26-30).

From the above example of the lepers in 2Kings 7, here are some costs to consider:

To those who are hungry, and thirsty, and who desire Him with all their heart, the Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!”

Whoever is thirsty, let him “Come!”

Messiah gives the Water of Life freely — we need only to cry out to Him with our request! (Jeremiah 33:3).

Let us thank Him for giving us His forgiveness, by the shedding of His Blood! (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). Let us ask Him to open our spiritually blind eyes! (Isaiah 42:7; Psalms 119:18). Let us ask Him for His Wisdom! (Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5).

Surely the Bride can be seen today, going outside the camp, finding Great Treasure — walking among the Outcasts, and among the Lepers of 2Kings 7.