Articles
Person Of The Week: Elisha
As the prophet Elijah walked the last steps of his earthly journey, his protégé, Elisha, walked with him (II Kings 2). Elisha then witnessed something that no man had seen before: “Suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2:11). Thus the prophetic mantle now fell upon Elisha (literally, II Kings 2:13-14).
The Old Testament tells of many miraculous signs done by Elisha, including two things similar to what Jesus will do later: multiplying food (II Kings 4:1-7, 42-44) and raising someone from the dead (4:18-37). But these signs are for a purpose – to declare to Israel and Judah the power of God even as they are in moral and spiritual decline.
A particularly inspiring story takes place as an enemy army surrounds Elisha to take him captive. When Elisha’s servant panics, Elisha calmly says, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (II Kings 6:16). The servant’s eyes then were opened, “And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (6:17).
A familiar hymn says, “A wall of fire about me; I’ve nothing now to fear.” May we have confidence in God’s protection and care, which will sustain us as long as He has a purpose for us.
