Elisha who was Elijah’s successor
Introduction Of Elisha
A great prophet of the Bible, who was born in the northern region of Israel, his name was Elisha, he lived in a town called Abel Meholah. His father’s name was Shaphat, and he was a farmer.
“Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.” (1 Kings 19:16)
Being a farmer, Elisha used to farm, then in his youth he entered the spiritual world and was chosen by God to deliver the message of the Bible to the people. His journey began when Elijah, a prophet. They have made Elisha their successor. This event is also written in the Bible that once Elisha was plowing the fields according to his field, at that time Elijah came there and put his cloak on him. This was a message, which meant that God has now chosen this person to spread God’s message forward. After that Elisha had to leave everything and went with Elijah and stayed with him for ten years and received teachings.
“So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.” (1 Kings 19:19)
After that he was known as the prophet of Israel and he served to convey the message of God to the people. There were many miracles in his life and after his death a miracle was also revealed from his grave.
“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.
“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” (2 Kings 2:9-11)
Relationship of Elisha With Elijah
Elijah was Elisha’s teacher because God told Elijah to make Elisha his successor and teach him everything so that after Elijah, Elisha could deliver God’s message to the people. Therefore, Elijah put his cloak on Elisha. Appointed him as his successor and taught him all the teachings that a prophet should know. Reference: (1 Kings 19:19-21)
Ascension of Elijah to Heaven
Elisha’s teacher, Elijah, did not die and God took him up to heaven alive. This incident happened in front of Elisha when Elijah was being lifted up to heaven alive. At the same time, Elisha also prayed to God that he also wanted to have the same power in his life as he had given him. When Elijah was being lifted, his cloak fell on the ground and the same cloak was covered by Elisha.
Verse
“As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.” (2 Kings 2:9-12)
Elisha Miracles
Elisha was blessed with many miracles. He performed many miracles to tell the people of Israel about God’s power and mercy. There are about 16 miracles mentioned in the Bible, such as oil instead of water in the rivers, bringing the dead back to life, etc. An important miracle happened to a woman named Shunammite. This miracle was such that everyone was amazed. A woman named Shunammite, who was barren, once had a child but the child died. Then Elisha prayed to God to revive the child. And through Elisha’s prayer, God brought the child back to life. This miracle describes the power of God.
- Reference: (2 Kings 4:1-7)
- Reference: (2 Kings 4:8-37)
Naaman’s Healing
A military chief named Naaman was suffering from the disease of Leprosy. He came to Elisha and told him to pray to God that his illness would end. Elisha said that you should dip seven times in the Jordan River and you will be cured. That’s what Naaman did. And God healed him. Reference: (2 Kings 5:1-14)
Miracle During Famine
In the Bible, Elisha also performed miracle in Israel during the famine which are as follows:
Verse
“Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets.” One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He put it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.” (2 Kings 4:38-41)
Miracle of Jericho’s water
Elisha’s first miracle was to purify the water. The water leading to the city was corrupted and poisoned. People were getting sick from drinking it. Elisha purified the water so that people could use it. To purify it, Elisha put salt in it, with which God cleansed the water. The main purpose of this miracle was to prove Elisha’s prophecy.
Verse
“The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.” “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’” And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken.” (2 Kings 2:19-22)
Protection of God For Elisha
Elisha was a prophet of God and it is God’s duty to protect his prophets. Once it happened that when the Syrian soldiers tried to arrest Elisha, God blinded them. Elisha then took him to the king of Israel. This incident shows that God loves his servants very much. He always protects them.
Verse
“And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.” (2 Kings 6:8-23)
Death of Elisha
God’s righteous people never fall and Elisha is an example because when he died, he was buried in a grave. After a long time, when another person was buried in the same grave that person came back to life. This happened because the bones of Elisha were present in that grave, and by touching the bones, that person came back to life.
Verse
“Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.” (2 Kings 13:20-21)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Elisha was a very hardworking and good person, so God chose him as a prophet through Elijah. Then Elijah made the Israelites aware of God’s mercy, power and love through the miracles of his life and turned them back to God. Elisha’s life is an example for us that we should always preach the word of God. His love should be conveyed to people so that people can make the best of worldly life as well as spiritual life.
