Elisha
| Elisha | |
|---|---|
_(14774293412).jpg) | |
| Period | 9th century BCE |
| Family | Father: Shaphat |
| Occupation(Features) | Disciple and successor of the prophet Elijah |
Elisha (Hebrew: אֱלִישָׁע,[1] Greek: Ἐλισαῖος[2]) is the disciple and successor of the prophet Elijah, and is recognized as the leading prophet of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 9th century BCE. He served as a prophet for approximately 50 years, from the reign of Israel’s 9th king, Jehoram, to the 12th king, Joash. His name means “God is salvation.” Elisha was the son of Shaphat, a wealthy farmer from Abel-meholah in the Jordan Valley.[3]
Historical Background
Following the death of King Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel was divided into two, marking the beginning of the Divided Monarchy. The Northern Kingdom of Israel, starting with its first king Jeroboam, quickly turned to idolatry, worshiping foreign gods. This apostasy deepened when King Ahab married Jezebel, a foreign woman and worshiper of Baal, leading the entire nation into Baal worship. The priests, who were charged with guiding the people to know God and uphold His teachings, had become corrupt, and the faith of the people continued to deteriorate.
In this context, Elijah was called as a prophet of God, waging a relentless battle against the idolatry that pervaded Israel. His dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel became a defining moment, but he was soon forced to flee into the wilderness to escape Jezebel’s wrath. It was then that God appointed Elisha as Elijah’s successor, commissioning him to continue proclaiming God’s will to the people of Israel:
The LORD said to him, “. . . anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.”
The Life and Key Events of Elisha
Although the Old Testament does not mention the details of Elisha’s birth, his prophetic ministry is extensively recorded.
Call to Prophetic Ministry
When God instructed Elijah to appoint Elisha as his prophetic successor, Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. Elijah approached and cast his cloak over Elisha, symbolizing God’s call to the prophetic office. In response, Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah, requesting permission to first bid farewell to his parents. Determined to follow the prophetic path in full obedience, Elisha slaughtered a yoke of oxen, distributed the meat to the people, and burned his plowing equipment—cutting all ties with his former life. He then set out to follow Elijah.[4]
As Elijah’s ministry drew to a close, God prepared to take him to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha knew that Elijah’s ascension was near.[5] Although Elijah urged Elisha multiple times to remain behind, Elisha unwaveringly declared that he would not leave his master. From Bethel to Jericho, and then to the Jordan, Elisha demonstrated steadfast devotion to both God and Elijah.
When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. . . . Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” . . . Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on.
Witnessing Elijah’s Ascension
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Before his ascension, Elijah asked Elisha what he desired of him. Elisha requested a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah replied that if Elisha witnessed his ascension, his request would be granted. As they walked together, a chariot of fire and horses of fire suddenly appeared, separating them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.[6]
Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak and, as his master had done,[7] struck the waters of the Jordan River. The waters parted, and Elisha crossed on dry ground.[6] Witnessing this, the company of prophets[8] recognized that the spirit of Elijah now rested on Elisha and received him with respect.[9] After purifying the polluted water of Jericho,[10] Elisha traveled to Bethel. On his way to Bethel, he encountered young children who mocked him. Elisha pronounced a curse on them, and two bears emerged from the forest, mauling forty-two of them.[11]
Miracles Performed by Elisha
Elisha’s ministry unfolded during a period of political and religious upheaval in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Amid these turbulent times, he performed numerous miracles that revealed God’s power and compassion:
- A widow, whose husband—one of the company of prophets—had died, faced the loss of her two sons to slavery due to debt. Elisha blessed her, causing her small jar of oil to flow miraculously until she had enough to pay her debts and sustain her family.[12]
- Elisha promised a childless Shunammite woman that she would bear a son. When the child later died, Elisha prayed earnestly to God and brought him back to life.[13]
- When the prophets accidentally prepared a stew with poisonous wild herbs, Elisha purified it by adding flour, rendering it harmless.[14]
- With twenty barley loaves and some grain, Elisha miraculously fed a hundred men, with food left over.[15]
- Elisha healed Naaman, commander of the Aramean army, who was afflicted with leprosy, instructing him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman, who had previously worshiped foreign gods, came to honor the LORD and glorified Him. Although Naaman offered gifts in gratitude, Elisha refused. However, Elisha’s servant Gehazi deceitfully accepted the gifts and was struck with leprosy, a condition that extended to his descendants.[16] Elisha's healing of Naaman was later mentioned by Jesus.[17]
- When one of the disciples accidentally dropped an iron axe head into the river while cutting wood, Elisha cast a stick into the water, causing the iron to float.[18]
Delivering the Nation From Crisis
- When Jehoram, king of Northern Kingdom of Israel, sought to suppress the rebellion of the king of Moab, he formed an alliance with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to wage war. Jehoshaphat, seeking divine guidance, consulted the prophet Elisha regarding the outcome. Pleased with Jehoshaphat’s faith and reliance on God, Elisha prophesied victory. As foretold, Israel and Judah defeated Moab.[19]
- On another occasion, the king of Aram (Syria) repeatedly planned military campaigns against Israel, but each attempt failed. Elisha, by divine revelation, exposed the Arameans’ plans—even those spoken in the privacy of the king’s chamber—alerting the king of Israel each time. In fury, the Aramean king dispatched a large army to capture Elisha, surrounding the city of Dothan where he stayed. When Elisha’s servant trembled in fear at the sight of the enemy forces, Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened. The servant then beheld the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire—the heavenly army of God.
- As the Aramean army advanced, Elisha prayed that their eyes would be blinded. He then led the confused soldiers into the heart of Samaria, where their sight was restored. Instead of killing them, the king of Israel, at Elisha’s counsel, fed them and sent them home. As a result, Aram refrained from invading Israel for a time.[20]
- Later, Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, laid siege to Samaria. A donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter of a cab of seed pods for five shekels. When the desperate king of Israel turned to Elisha, the prophet declared that by the same time the next day, food would be plentiful and prices would fall. An officer scoffed, saying, “Even if the LORD should open the floodgates of heaven, could this happen?” Elisha replied that the officer would see it with his own eyes but would not partake of it. The following day, by God’s intervention, the Aramean army fled in panic, leaving behind all their supplies. As Elisha had prophesied, two seahs of barley were sold for one shekel, and one seah of fine flour for one shekel at the gate of Samaria. The officer who had doubted God’s word was trampled to death by the crowd, fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy.[21]
Anointing Hazael and Jehu as Kings
One of Elisha’s most significant accomplishments was the fulfillment of the missions left to him by his mentor, Elijah. God had entrusted Elijah with three tasks: to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor.[22] While Elijah appointed Elisha directly, the anointing of Hazael and Jehu was ultimately completed through Elisha.[23][24]
Elisha prophesied that Jehu would bring an end to the house of Ahab, exterminating all his male descendants, and that dogs would devour Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel. As foretold, Jehu carried out judgment against the sons of Ahab, his associates, and the priests—all complicit in Baal worship under Jezebel’s influence.[25] Jehu also eradicated the Baal worshipers and destroyed their temples that were detestable to God.
Death
In his later years, Elisha fell ill with the sickness that would lead to his death. King Joash of Israel came to see him and wept over him. Elisha instructed the king to take a bow and arrows, open the east window, and shoot an arrow, declaring it the “arrow of the LORD’s victory” over Aram and prophesying Israel’s triumph at Aphek. Elisha then told Joash to strike the ground with the arrows. The king struck the ground three times and stopped. Displeased, Elisha rebuked him, saying that had he struck the ground five or six times, he would have completely defeated Aram; but now he would strike them only three times.
After Elisha died and was buried, a remarkable event occurred: Once a corpse was thrown into Elisha’s tomb and the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man revived and stood on his feet.[26]
Lesson
Elisha exemplified absolute obedience to God’s calling and unwavering dedication to His will. His wholehearted devotion is evident in his immediate abandonment of his oxen and plow when called to be a prophet, and in his steadfast determination when Elijah repeatedly urged him to stay behind—yet Elisha followed without hesitation.
Even in moments of crisis, such as being surrounded by the Aramean army, Elisha placed his full trust in God. In turn, God endowed him with abundant spiritual power and entrusted him with the blessed mission of helping the suffering people and proclaiming His will.
Elisha’s faith provides a lasting example for believers today who are called to the prophetic mission of the gospel.[27][28] Those who endure hardships with unshakable faith and fulfill their calling in obedience will undoubtedly receive great blessings from God.
See also
References
- ↑ Strong's Hebrew: 477. אֱלִישָׁע, Bible Hub
- ↑ Ἐλισαῖος, Blue Letter Bible
- ↑ "1 Kings 19:16".
- ↑ "1 Kings 19:19-21".
- ↑ "2 Kings 2:1-3".
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "2 Kings 2:9-14".
- ↑ "2 Kings 2:7-8".
- ↑ GOD'S WORD® Translation: The disciples of the prophets
- ↑ "2 Kings 2:15".
- ↑ "2 Kings 2:18-22".
- ↑ "2 Kings 2:23-25".
- ↑ "2 Kings 4:1–7".
- ↑ "2 Kings 4:8–37".
- ↑ "2 Kings 4:38-41".
- ↑ "2 Kings 4:42–44".
- ↑ "2 Kings 5".
- ↑ "Luke 4:27".
- ↑ "2 Kings 6:1-7".
- ↑ "2 Kings 3".
- ↑ "2 Kings 6:8–23".
- ↑ "2 Kings 6:24–7:20".
- ↑ "1 Kings 19:15–16".
- ↑ "2 Kings 8:7–15".
- ↑ "2 Kings 9:1–13".
- ↑ "2 Kings 10:1–29".
- ↑ "2 Kings 13:14-21".
- ↑ "Ezekiel 3:16-19".
- ↑ "Matthew 28:18-20".