1June 3 2007

Elisha was a disciple of the great prophet Elijah. He was designated as Elijah’s successor but first worked as Elijah’s servant (1 Kings 19:15-21).

When God was ready to take Elijah to heaven by a whirlwind in 2 Kings 2:1-14, Elisha showed the qualities of a good disciple. If we will live by these qualities, we will be good disciples for our Lord’s cause. Let’s notice these qualities.

Who was Elisha so that we can understand what the Bible says about the great prophet.

The meaning of Elisha is “God is Savior”

He was the son of Shaphat of Abel-Mehola.

He was from the tribe of Issachar

No record of His mother.

Key word in his life: The successor of Elijah.

The Man who was a The Man who was a Model leader.Model leader.There are a striking difference in between There are a striking difference in between Elijah and Elisha, both of whom labor in the Elijah and Elisha, both of whom labor in the Northern Kingdom. Northern Kingdom.

Elijah name’s means: “Jehovah my God” and Elijah name’s means: “Jehovah my God” and suggest the law. While Elisha’s name speaks suggest the law. While Elisha’s name speaks of grace- “Jehovah my savoir”.of grace- “Jehovah my savoir”.

Elisha left a peaceful occupation to become Elisha left a peaceful occupation to become a model spiritual leader. Elijah prepared a model spiritual leader. Elijah prepared Elisha for his commission Elisha for his commission II King 2:1-14II King 2:1-14. And . And the two became devoted to each other. the two became devoted to each other.

II King 2:21… “21 Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.' "

II King 5:9,10II King 5:9,10… … ““99 Then Naaman went with his Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha's house. at the door of Elisha's house. 1010 And Elisha sent a messenger to And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and shall be restored to you, and you you shallshall be clean." be clean."

Even when he died he earn a very highly honor for being the man that God want him to be. His bones by the power of God receive power to bring a man back to life.

II King 13:20, 21II King 13:20, 21… “… “2020 Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raidingraiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. 2121 So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band band of raiders;of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.revived and stood on his feet.

What a victorious death What a victorious death was his.was his.

2 King 13:14-19… “14 Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, "O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!" 15 And Elisha said to him, "Take a bow and some arrows." So he took himself a bow and some arrows. 16 Then he said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow." So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king's hands. 17 And he said, "Open the east window"; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot"; and he shot. And he said, "The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them." 18 Then he said, "Take the arrows"; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground"; so he struck three times, and stopped. 19 And the man of God was angry with him, and said, "You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times."

Summarizing the life of the prophet who spoke with the authority of an oracle of God.

II King 3:16-17… II King 3:16-17… ““1515 But now bring me a musician." Then it But now bring me a musician." Then it happened, when the musician played, that happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. the hand of the LORD came upon him. 1616 And And he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'Make this he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'Make this valley full of ditches.' valley full of ditches.' 1717 For thus says the For thus says the LORD: 'You shall not see wind, nor shall you LORD: 'You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.' animals may drink.'

1 King 19:20,211 King 19:20,21… “… “2020 And he left the oxen and ran after And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and my Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and mother, and thenthen I will follow you." And he said to him, I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" 2121 So So ElishaElisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen's slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen's equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant. he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

2 King 2:12-152 King 2:12-15… “… “1212 And Elisha saw And Elisha saw it,it, and he cried out, "My father, and he cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" So he saw him my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. two pieces. 1313 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 1414 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where struck the water, and said, "Where isis the LORD God of Elijah?" And the LORD God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. that; and Elisha crossed over. 1515 Now when the sons of the prophets Now when the sons of the prophets who who werewere from Jericho saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests from Jericho saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground on Elisha." And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him. before him.

2 King 2:19-222 King 2:19-22… “… “1919 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, Then the men of the city said to Elisha, "Please notice, the situation of this city "Please notice, the situation of this city isis pleasant, as my pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water lord sees; but the water isis bad, and the ground barren." bad, and the ground barren." 2020 And he said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." And he said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought So they brought itit to him. to him. 2121 Then he went out to the Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.' " there shall be no more death or barrenness.' " 2222 So the So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke. of Elisha which he spoke.

2 King 4:1-72 King 4:1-7… “… “11 A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves." his slaves." 22 So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil." but a jar of oil." 33 Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors--empty vessels; do not gather just a few. your neighbors--empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 44 And when you have And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones." those vessels, and set aside the full ones." 55 So she went from him and shut the So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought door behind her and her sons, who brought the vesselsthe vessels to her; and she poured to her; and she poured itit out. out. 66 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, ""Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There isThere is not another vessel." So not another vessel." So the oil ceased. the oil ceased. 77 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you the oil and pay your debt; and you andand your sons live on the rest." your sons live on the rest."

2 King 4:9-102 King 4:9-10… “… “99 And she said to her husband, And she said to her husband, "Look now, I know that this "Look now, I know that this isis a holy man of a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. God, who passes by us regularly. 1010 Please, let us Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there." comes to us, he can turn in there."

2 King 4:38-412 King 4:38-41… “… “3838 And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there wasthere was a a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets werewere sitting before sitting before him; and he said to his servant, "Put on the large pot, and boil stew for him; and he said to his servant, "Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets." the sons of the prophets." 3939 So one went out into the field to gather So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced gourds, and came and sliced themthem into the pot of stew, though they into the pot of stew, though they did not know did not know what they were.what they were. 4040 Then they served it to the men to eat. Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, "Man of God, and said, "Man of God, there isthere is death in the pot!" And they could not death in the pot!" And they could not eat eat it.it. 4141 So he said, "Then bring some flour." And he put So he said, "Then bring some flour." And he put itit into the into the pot, and said, "Serve pot, and said, "Serve itit to the people, that they may eat." And there to the people, that they may eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot. was nothing harmful in the pot.

2 King 4:42-442 King 4:42-44… “… “4242 Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, "Give knapsack. And he said, "Give itit to the people, that they may to the people, that they may eat." eat." 4343 But his servant said, "What? Shall I set this before But his servant said, "What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?" He said again, "Give it to the people, one hundred men?" He said again, "Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD: 'They shall eat that they may eat; for thus says the LORD: 'They shall eat and have and have somesome left over.' " left over.' " 4444 So he set So he set itit before them; and before them; and they ate and had they ate and had somesome left over, according to the word of left over, according to the word of the LORDthe LORD

2 King 5:1-52 King 5:1-5… “… “11 Now Naaman, commander of the army of the Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, was also a mighty man of valor, butbut a leper. a leper. 22 And the Syrians had And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife. from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife. 33 Then she Then she said to her mistress, "If only my master said to her mistress, "If only my master werewere with the prophet with the prophet who who isis in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy." in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy." 44 And And NaamanNaaman went in and told his master, saying, "Thus and thus said went in and told his master, saying, "Thus and thus said the girl who the girl who isis from the land of Israel." from the land of Israel."

2 King 6:1-72 King 6:1-7… “… “11 And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "See And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us. now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us. 22 Please, Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell." So he answered, and let us make there a place where we may dwell." So he answered, "Go." "Go." 33 Then one said, "Please consent to go with your servants." And Then one said, "Please consent to go with your servants." And he answered, "I will go." he answered, "I will go." 44 So he went with them. And when they So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 55 But as one was cutting But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron down a tree, the iron ax headax head fell into the water; and he cried out fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, master! For it was borrowed." and said, "Alas, master! For it was borrowed." 66 So the man of God So the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" And he showed him the place. So he cut off said, "Where did it fall?" And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw a stick, and threw itit in there; and he made the iron float. in there; and he made the iron float. 77 Therefore Therefore he said, "Pick he said, "Pick itit up for yourself." So he reached out his hand and took up for yourself." So he reached out his hand and took it. it.

2 King 8:1-62 King 8:1-6… “… “11 Then Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, Then Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, "Arise and go, you and your household, and stay wherever you can; for the saying, "Arise and go, you and your household, and stay wherever you can; for the LORD has called for a famine, and furthermore, it will come upon the land for seven LORD has called for a famine, and furthermore, it will come upon the land for seven years." years." 22 So the woman arose and did according to the saying of the man of God, and So the woman arose and did according to the saying of the man of God, and she went with her household and dwelt in the land of the Philistines seven years. she went with her household and dwelt in the land of the Philistines seven years. 33 It It came to pass, at the end of seven years, that the woman returned from the land of came to pass, at the end of seven years, that the woman returned from the land of the Philistines; and she went to make an appeal to the king for her house and for her the Philistines; and she went to make an appeal to the king for her house and for her land. land. 44 Then the king talked with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, "Tell Then the king talked with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, "Tell me, please, all the great things Elisha has done." me, please, all the great things Elisha has done." 55 Now it happened, as he was telling Now it happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored the dead to life, that there was the woman whose son the king how he had restored the dead to life, that there was the woman whose son he had restored to life, appealing to the king for her house and for her land. And he had restored to life, appealing to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, "My lord, O king, this Gehazi said, "My lord, O king, this isis the woman, and this the woman, and this isis her son whom Elisha her son whom Elisha restored to life." restored to life." 66 And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed a certain officer for her, saying, "Restore all that appointed a certain officer for her, saying, "Restore all that waswas hers, and all the hers, and all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the land until now." proceeds of the field from the day that she left the land until now."

2 King 8:7-152 King 8:7-15… “… “77 Then Elisha went to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad king of Syria was sick; Then Elisha went to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, "The man of God has come here." and it was told him, saying, "The man of God has come here." 88 And the king said to And the king said to Hazael, "Take a present in your hand, and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the Hazael, "Take a present in your hand, and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, 'Shall I recover from this disease?' " LORD by him, saying, 'Shall I recover from this disease?' " 99 So Hazael went to meet him So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, of every good thing of Damascus, forty camel-loads; and he and took a present with him, of every good thing of Damascus, forty camel-loads; and he came and stood before him, and said, "Your son Ben-Hadad king of Syria has sent me to came and stood before him, and said, "Your son Ben-Hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, 'Shall I recover from this disease?' " you, saying, 'Shall I recover from this disease?' " 1010 And Elisha said to him, "Go, say to And Elisha said to him, "Go, say to him, 'You shall certainly recover.' However the LORD has shown me that he will really him, 'You shall certainly recover.' However the LORD has shown me that he will really die." die." 1111 Then he set his countenance in a stare until he was ashamed; and the man of God Then he set his countenance in a stare until he was ashamed; and the man of God wept. wept. 1212 And Hazael said, "Why is my lord weeping?" He answered, "Because I know the And Hazael said, "Why is my lord weeping?" He answered, "Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel: Their strongholds you will set on fire, and evil that you will do to the children of Israel: Their strongholds you will set on fire, and their young men you will kill with the sword; and you will dash their children, and rip their young men you will kill with the sword; and you will dash their children, and rip open their women with child." open their women with child." 1313 So Hazael said, "But what So Hazael said, "But what isis your servant--a dog, that he your servant--a dog, that he should do this gross thing?" And Elisha answered, "The LORD has shown me that you should do this gross thing?" And Elisha answered, "The LORD has shown me that you will will becomebecome king over Syria." king over Syria." 1414 Then he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who Then he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who said to him, "What did Elisha say to you?" And he answered, "He told me you would said to him, "What did Elisha say to you?" And he answered, "He told me you would surely recover." surely recover." 1515 But it happened on the next day that he took a thick cloth and dipped But it happened on the next day that he took a thick cloth and dipped itit in water, and spread in water, and spread itit over his face so that he died; and Hazael reigned in his place. over his face so that he died; and Hazael reigned in his place.

Elisha Suggest the ministry of Elisha Suggest the ministry of Christ.Christ.

Elisha suggests the ministry of Christ. On the Elisha suggests the ministry of Christ. On the whole, Elijah’s work was destructive. He was whole, Elijah’s work was destructive. He was the prophet of fire. Elisha’s task was more the prophet of fire. Elisha’s task was more merciful and beneficial. He had double the merciful and beneficial. He had double the power of Elijah, and consequently performed power of Elijah, and consequently performed twice as many miracles as his former master.twice as many miracles as his former master.

Elijah’s has no settle home.

Elisha enjoys the peace at home.

Elijah’s was known by his long hair and his shaggy mantle;

Elisha was known by his staff and bald head.

Elijah was mainly prophetical.

Elisha’s work was mainly miraculous.

Elijah’s ministry was one of stern denunciation. Elisha’s task was of teaching and winning.

Elijah’s was a rebuke of kings.

Elisha’s a friend and admirer.

Elijah was a messenger of vengeance.

Elisha was a messenger of mercy.

Elijah was Elijah was fierce, fiery fierce, fiery energetic.energetic.

Elisha was Elisha was gentle, gentle, sympathetic, sympathetic, and simple.and simple.

Elijah was a solitary figure.

Elisha was more social.

Elijah had an Elijah had an extraordinary extraordinary disappearance disappearance from earth.from earth.

Elisha’s death Elisha’s death was ordinary.was ordinary.

Can we learn and make some Can we learn and make some application for us this evening?application for us this evening?

The life of Elisha is so remarkable that this evening we can choose any of his actions and we can be sure that God will be pleased with us in the same way that he was please with his faithful prophet…

Luke 4:27… “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian."