OT 32 The Ministry of Elisha the Prophet

Text: 2 Kings chapters 3 - 7

Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapter 15

BYU Lecture 37: Barely had Elisha returned from witnessing the translation of Elijah when the people of Jericho asked him to purify their water supply. In the name of the Lord, Elisha performs this miracle and purifies the water by symbolically sprinkling it with salt.

As Elisha left Jericho, he was set upon by a mob of rebellious youth mocking him and mocking the translation of the prophet Elijah in derision. In the name of the Lord, Elisha turned back and called two bears out of the wild and “tare 42 of them.” We are not told of any fatalities.

Elisha continues in his ministry, performing many miracles, providing counsel to kings and interceding in wars. On one occasion, the king of Syria was frustrated with Elisha because his plans were constantly thwarted by this prophet. Sending an army to capture or kill Elisha, the prophet’s servant was frightened at their large number. Elisha opened his servant’s eyes so symbolically, he could see that the Lord’s strength was with them. Elisha went out to the Syrian army, confused their minds and led them helplessly into Israel’s stronghold in Samaria. Rather than kill the Syrian army prisoners, Elisha directed them to eat in peace and go home.

Among his many miracles, in addition to those already mentioned, Elisha:

• Raised the dead
• Cured and caused leprosy
• Neutralized toxic poison
• Healed a barren woman
• Raised a heavy axe head from the river bottom
• Increased the supply of oil
• Cured and caused blindness
• Fed 100 men with only 20 small loaves

Notice the similarity of these miracles to those accomplished by the Savior about 850 years later.