2 Kings

Last week we learned about Elijah in 1 Kings (story of the prophets of Baal)

• The role of prophets:
  • speak on God’s behalf
  • call out idolatry and injustice
  • challenge to repent and flow the Torah
• They tried to get the nation of Israel on track
• Elisha was Elijah’s successor

Today I want to talk about Elisha and his ministry

• the purpose of his ministry was to restore respect for God and his message
• We see Elisha doing his ministry in 2 Kings 2-17
  • in 2 Kings 2:9 he asked Elijah if he could be his successor and if he could inherit double of his spirit when Elijah leaves
• First miracles:
  • purified water 2:22
  • dead boy raised to life 2 kings 4:18-37
  • man healed of leprosy 2 Kings 5:1-14
• These miracles were very similar to some of the miracles that Jesus performed during his ministry
• But this is not where we find Jesus in this book
• We can find Jesus in the purpose of Elisha and his ministry
  • to restore respect for God and his message
  • Israel was worshiping other gods, and their kings were worshiping other gods
  • the Israelites were still full of doubt, even after all  God did for their ancestors
  • Elisha performed miracles for those in need to demonstrate Gods mercy for his people
• Jesus came to restore the people of God too, but in a different way. 
  • Messianic king (savior/king)
  • He did not just come as a prophet, but he did act in the same ways as prophets:
    • speaking on God’s behalf
    • call out idolatry and injustice
    • challenge to repent and flow the Torah
• SO we found Jesus, but what can we takeaway from this for our daily lives:
• In order to be blessed by God for doing his work we need to be willing
  • in 2 Kings 2:1-14
    • 
      2 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.”
      
      But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!” So they went down together to Bethel.
      3 The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”
      “Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.”
      4 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Jericho.”
      But Elisha replied again, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together to Jericho.
      5 Then the group of prophets from Jericho came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”
      “Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.”
      6 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to the Jordan River.”
      But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together.
      7 Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River. 8 Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground!
      9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.”
      And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”
      10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”
      11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress.
      13 Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River.14 He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.
  • Elisha was ready to expand the kingdom of God
    • so ready that he asked to be able to do more and was grated it
  • My question for you is, are you ready to expand the kingdom of God?
    • if not what do you think you need to do in order to be ready?
• Michael and I would love to help you out if you need help walking through what this looks like for you
  • obviously we are not all meant to be prophets doing crazy miracles like Elisha, but we each have an important role to play in the expansion of God’s kingdom