Bible Character Spotlight: Elisha

A previous blog entry put the spotlight on Elijah. Elijah was a special prophet. He along with Enoch had the distinction of being the only people that didn’t die. Elijah was instead carried up straight to Heaven. He was such a significant figure that his name was thrown out when people questioned who Jesus was. Following after a person like that has to be a difficult task, and it was the very thing that Elisha had to do.

Elisha understood the difficulties that lay ahead of him. That’s why he made a very special request of Elijah before the latter was spirited away.

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.” – 2 Kings 2:9-10

That was a bold request from Elisha, but one he must have known he needed granted to do the work that lay ahead of him. He had followed Elijah for quite a while and understood what was expected and needed from God’s chosen mouthpiece. Thankfully for Elisha, his request was granted, and he put the spirit he was granted to good use.

In many ways, Elisha gave us a preview of what was to come with Jesus. Of course, Elisha was just a man and not God in human form, but with the spirit granted to him from God, he was able to pull off many miraculous feats very similar to what Jesus would later do and even some unique to himself. Just as a few examples:

He purified poisoned water.

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.” – 2 Kings 2:21

He struck an enemy army with blindness.

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 6:18

He brought a young boy back from the dead.

When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. – 2 Kings 4:32-35

He was capable of pulling off miracles even in death.

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 13:21

It’s hard not to read Elisha’s story and come away thinking he was something special even by Biblical standards. Of course, he was just a human being, so he wasn’t able to accomplish any of these feats alone. He only did so by calling on God. Elisha had purpose in God and executed God’s will. He was able to accomplish amazing things because of his obedience and commitment to God.

While, we may see some similarities between Elisha and Jesus, they lived very different lives. Elisha acted as the conduit between God and Israel. His role was respected and even the kings heeded his word. Jesus was God in human form, yet while he lived, he didn’t receive the respect that Elisha was given. Sure some people followed him after seeing the miracles he performed, but others labelled him a heretic. The leaders didn’t heed his words like the kings in Elisha’s day. They plotted his death.

The contrast of the lives of Elijah and Jesus showed just how far the people had fallen by the time we get to the New Testament. It also shows how little people understood what Jesus was offering. Elisha was great in his own right. He helped and saved many people. The Hebrews were certainly better off with him around, but he was limited to only being able to help people in this world and this life. He couldn’t give anyone the promise of salvation from sin or eternal life.

Elisha also couldn’t save the Hebrews from themselves. No matter how much good he did, and how many lessons he taught, people continued to do the wrong thing.  When Elisha was gone, what he stood for quickly faded from the memories of the people. Elisha’s story is just another example of how the Hebrews and humanity in general were committed to sin, and that only something drastic would solve the problem.

Receiving a double dose of spirit was what made Elisha great. Jesus’ death and resurrection opened the way for all of us all to receive the Holy Spirit if we choose to believe. With that gift, we too can be great. All we have to do is follow Elisha’s example and commit ourselves to doing God’s work.

Chris Lawyer

Image courtesy of discovertheword.org