*2 Kings 2:13-25
Elisha inherits Elijah’s prophetic mantle by parting the Jordan River and performs miracles of healing water and judgement upon mocking youths.
- Elisha Witnesses Elijah’s Departure:
- Elisha witnesses Elijah’s departure as he ascends to heaven in a whirlwind, accompanied by a chariot of fire and horses of fire.
- Elisha cries out in grief and desperation as he watches Elijah disappear from sight, tearing his own clothes in anguish at the loss of his mentor and spiritual father.
- Elisha’s Reaction:
- Elisha picks up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen from him as he ascended, and returns to the bank of the Jordan River, where he stands in awe of the miraculous event he has witnessed.
- Elisha then takes Elijah’s cloak and strikes the water of the Jordan River, calling out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” and the waters part, allowing him to cross over on dry ground.
- Elisha’s Authority Confirmed:
- The company of prophets from Jericho witness Elisha’s miraculous parting of the Jordan River and acknowledge that the spirit of Elijah now rests upon Elisha, confirming his status as Elijah’s successor.
- They come to meet Elisha and bow down before him, showing reverence and respect for his newfound authority as a prophet of the Lord.
- Elisha’s Encounter with Jericho’s Problem:
- The men of the city of Jericho inform Elisha that the city’s location is pleasant, but its water is bad and causes miscarriages and barrenness in the land.
- Elisha responds by instructing them to bring him a new bowl with salt, which he then throws into the spring, declaring, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.'”
- Outcome of Elisha’s Action:
- The waters of the spring are miraculously healed by Elisha’s act of faith, and the land becomes fertile once more, putting an end to the curse that had afflicted Jericho’s water source.
- The city of Jericho is restored to health and prosperity, and the people are grateful for Elisha’s intervention and the Lord’s mercy upon them.
- Elisha’s Journey to Bethel:
- Elisha leaves Jericho and travels to the city of Bethel, following in the footsteps of his mentor Elijah and continuing his prophetic ministry.
- As he approaches Bethel, a group of young boys comes out of the city and begins mocking and taunting him, calling him a “baldhead” and ridiculing him.
- Elisha’s Response:
- In response to the boys’ mockery, Elisha turns around, looks at them, and curses them in the name of the Lord.
- Immediately, two female bears come out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys, demonstrating the severity of God’s judgment against those who disrespect His prophet.
In 2 Kings 2:13-25, Elisha takes up Elijah’s mantle, showing that God had chosen him to continue the work. This teaches us that when God calls us to a task, He will also give us the strength and guidance we need. Elisha’s confidence in God reminds us to trust in Him as we step into new roles and responsibilities. The passage also warns us to respect those whom God has placed in leadership. In our own lives, we should trust God’s plan, step forward with faith, and treat others with kindness and respect.
2 Kings 2:13-25 (WEB)
2:13 He also took up Elijah’s mantle that fell from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took Elijah’s mantle that fell from him, and struck the waters, and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” When he also had struck the waters, they were divided apart, and Elisha went over.15 When the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho facing him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 16 They said to him, “See now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. Perhaps the LORD’s Spirit has taken him up, and put him on some mountain or into some valley.”He said, “Don’t send them.”17 When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.”Therefore they sent fifty men; and they searched for three days, but didn’t find him. 18 They came back to him while he stayed at Jericho; and he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t go’?”19 The men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, please, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is barren.”20 He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” Then they brought it to him. 21 He went out to the spring of the waters, and threw salt into it, and said, “The LORD says, ‘I have healed these waters. There shall not be from there any more death or barren wasteland.’ ” 22 So the waters were healed to this day, according to Elisha’s word which he spoke.23 He went up from there to Bethel. As he was going up by the way, some youths came out of the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldy! Go up, you baldy!” 24 He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the LORD’s name. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of those youths. 25 He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.