Elisha: Prophet from 823-765 BC
When they had crossed,
Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from
you?” “Let me inherit a double portion
of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 2 Kings 2:9 (NIV)
READ: 2 Kings 4-6:23; 13:14-23
Elisha was ordained for ministry
by Elijah and was anointed as his successor.
He primarily served the northern kingdom for the latter reign of king
Ahab into the rule of king Joash. His
ministry was vast including serving the schools of prophets, helping the needy,
performing miracles, giving advice to the king, and acting as a spokesman for
God. This man of God was given the
ability to perform many miracles such as increasing the widow’s oil, raising
the dead, causing a poisonous pot of food to become harmless and multiplying
loaves and grain. Elisha was a great man
of faith who was filled with the Spirit of God. Never in his life did he tremble before any
ruler, nor did anyone intimidate him.
Yet he was an ordinary man who was a plowing a yoke of oxen at the time
of his call. He learned from Elijah
through serving him as Joshua had assisted Moses. It has been said that the miraculous works of
Elisha are double the number performed by Elijah signifying that he had been
given a double portion of the spirit of Elijah.
On many occasions when the Arameans and the Israelites were at war,
Elisha saved the Israelite king by warning him of the location of the Aramean
army. In one instance the Arameans
attempted to capture him but the Lord protected him with chariots of fire. When the Lord struck the soldiers blind,
Elisha brought them to Samaria, where they recovered their sight. Elisha then advised the king to make a great
feast for them and they were released.
Even when on his death bed (2 Kings 13) he advised the king and gave a
symbolic prophecy that king Joash would defeat the Arameans. Even after his death a miracle is attributed
to Elisha – a corpse was hastily thrown into his grave and it came back to life
when it touched his body. Elijah gives
us a great example of a life of faith and obedience to God. His example encourages us to diligently serve
the Lord in whatever capacity He is calling us to.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
