“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” II Ki.2:9

     Before the coming Jesus Christ, in the lives of the prophets are seen the most fabulous examples of GOD’S power of salvation. Each of the prophets had a specific work to do. And under the unique circumstances of their day GOD commanded certain efforts be made to turn men from sin and return unto Him, Who Alone can save. The objective of GOD’S plan of redemption is simple: All of heaven stands united, “to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,” Jesus Christ (Heb.7:25).

     From the beginning of sin’s reign on the Earth it has always been about the power of Christ to save. And through the prophets we see example after example of GOD’S overruling the powers of darkness to guide and to save His children that they may freely enter the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ. The requirement is simple as it is written: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev.22:14. To accomplish this, GOD has to mold our circumstances, walk us over the ground of important lessons, and draw upon our hopes, to the end that we seek “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Jn.14:6. And through the Indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, we, the weakest of the weak can demonstrate to the onlooking universe the power of GOD to save from the clutches of sin!

     Every righteous deed, every noble thought, every demonstration of care for our fellow man has been drawn from us by GOD, as it is written: “Thou hast wrought all our works in us” (Isa.26:12). Therefore, no man has any right to take glory to himself, outside of the knowledge of GOD’S great love for us, seen in the sacrifice of “his only begotten Son.” In the end, all eyes will be fixed upon Jesus of both the righteous and the unrighteous. And all will come to realize the full weight of the glory of the prophecy: “He alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isa.2:11.

     Among the greatest examples demonstrating the care and love of GOD for His wayward children is seen in the life of Elisha. After the work of Elijah was complete the LORD sent His fiery Chariot to carry Elijah back to heaven in full view of Elisha and the prophets. To carry forward the work of GOD, Elisha “took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” II Ki.2:13-15. Thus began one of the most fabulous ministries to ever be witnessed on the Earth.

     The miracles of Elisha, the Christlike character seen in his deeds stands among the most beautiful examples demonstrating GOD’S power to save. Even dealing with those who only wished his death, Elisha led them to behold the Grace of GOD. When the king of Syria began his series of military campaigns against Israel, Elisha told the king of Israel of his every move. Word got to the Syrian king and so he sent his army after Elisha. “Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.” II Ki.6:14:23.

     But the supreme greatness of Elisha was seen when the GOD of Elisha raised the dead son of a grieving mother. Never had the prophets displayed such miraculous power. But the faith of Elisha had grown, and the Spirit of GOD had become so enmeshed with his soul that in his life is foreseen the great resurrection that is to come through Jesus Christ. Elisha had often stayed with this family in his travels. And so, when the son had died, the mother “went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.” II Ki.4:21-37.

     The LORD chose not to allow the staff of Elisha to perform the miracle of the resurrection of the lad. The LORD wanted all to see that only the prophet who serves the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob alone will receive the power in answer to their prayers.

     But as with all men (with rare exception: Enoch and Elijah), “Elisha died, and they buried him.” II Ki.13:20. But even in death the power of GOD continued the ministry of Elisha, and his influence to lead men back to GOD was displayed. Shortly after Elisha’s passing, more military aggression against Israel occurred. “Bands of Moabites invaded the land.” “And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.” II Ki.13:21.

     And so, through the ages, GOD intervened in the lives of His children Israel by sending prophets among them, to teach, to guide, and to reprove; always identifying the sin but also providing the remedy: the simple remedy that Jesus identifies as the key to receiving the Spirit of GOD and the assurance of everlasting life: “But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt.19:17.