ELISHA SERIES: ANOINTED AND POWERFUL REMAINS

In 2 Kings 13, after ministering for approximately sixty-five years, performing miracles, and prophesying, Elisha’s time on earth and ministry was coming to a close. For the last forty-five years of his life, the scriptures did not record any events; however, as a prophet and head of the school of prophets, we can assume he was actively teaching, mentoring, and functioning in his prophetic office.

Notably, as recorded in the scripture, he successfully served as a prophet during the reign of four kings of Israel, and the last king whom he gave a Word was Israel’s, King Joash. This happened when out of respect, King Joash came to visit the ill prophet, and during this visit, Elisha shared a word concerning the future of Israel.

Upon arrival at Elisha’s home, King Joash became emotional and wept over the prophet. However, ill Elisha continued to minister in his prophetic office. He placed his hand on the king’s hand and had the king shoot an arrow eastward through an open window. He told the king, “Shoot, The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.” Furthermore, he instructed the king to take the other arrows and strike the ground to which the king struck it three times. The king’s action made Elisha angry and he said to the king, “Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.” Apparently, these two acts were symbolic and reflected the future of Israel’s success and limited victories over the Syrians.

Shortly after that, Elisha died and was buried in a sepulcher. Within that year, a man who also died was cast into Elisha’s sepulcher, and when his body touched Elisha’s bones, he returned to life and stood on his feet. In this last mention of Elisha, we see Elisha, who was anointed and powerful in life, remained powerful in death.

This is the last blog in the Elisha Series. I blogged events from his initial meeting with Elijah until his death. It is said that he did twice as many supernatural acts as Elijah, and just in case you think this is all he did, there may have been acts that he did that were not recorded in the scripture.

At the conclusion of each blog in this series, I ended with my thoughts and nuggets, so I conclude this series with the following:

Reach out to those that are sick.

Paying your respects to a person is an honorable deed.

There will be times in ministry when the world will know you are active, and then there are times you are active behind the scene of which the world is unaware.

Being active in ministry even when you are sick displays commitment and dedication.

Serve others respectfully.

When fighting the enemy, perseverance is always needed.

Live a life that is anointed and powerful so that even after your death, you are affecting the lives of others.