Elisha’s Last Days
We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7
Elisha’s death wasn’t as spectacular as Elijah’s had been—no whirlwind, no fiery horses, and no chariot. Elisha became sick, died, and was buried (2 Kings 13:20).
However, he was visited by a king as he lay on his deathbed. Elisha had one final prophecy for Joash, the king of Israel concerning the nation (2 Kings 13:14-17).
Elisha told Joash to get a bow and some arrows. Then he was to strike the arrows against the ground. The king picked them up and struck three times. But Elisha was angry with him. “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed, “Then you would have beaten Aram until it was entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times” (2 Kings 13:18).
And after Elisha died and lay in a tomb, there was a miraculous incident. Some Israelites were burying a man, and suddenly they saw a band of Moabite raiders. 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 13:21).
Some have misinterpreted this and pray over dead people’s bones, hoping for a miracle. Elisha had no power in himself while alive, much less in his dead body. Every miracle Elisha performed and every word prophesied came from God and would be fulfilled by God. The strength of Israel was in the presence of God who promised to defeat their enemies. He alone would accomplish this according to his plan, his timing. As the psalmist said, “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples” (Psalm 71:18).
What lives on after Elisha died—what is his legacy to us? We shouldn’t be afraid to ask for more power when we need it. We can ask for a double portion (consider what Jesus says about “greater works” in John 14:12). Jesus was only doing great works for three years; we, his followers, have been doing them for over two thousand years, so far. We should pray for people and minister to those in pain (Psalm 34:18). We should believe God will defeat our enemies—all of them, ultimately.
How is God demonstrating his power through your life? What legacy will you leave for others?
DIG DEEPER
Read 2 Kings 13:22-25. What is recorded in the fulfillment of Elisha’s prediction of the defeat of the enemy, the recovery of the cities that had been taken, and their restoration to the kingdom of Israel? What does that show us about God’s character?
What is happening in Matthew 14:22-29 that shows exuberant, double-portion faith in Peter? In what ways are you demonstrating double-portion faith?
Mediate on Jesus’s promises in John 14:12-14, then ask him to show you what works he wants you to do and ask for the courage to do them.
Nancy J. Baker
This devotion is part of our series on Elijah and Elisha.