The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle 2 Kings 2:19-25 08/31/2008 Dr The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle 2 Kings 2:19-25 08/31/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle Introduction We have previously considered 2 Kings 2:16-18 when the sons of the prophets went looking for Elijah. In this lesson we want to consider Elisha’s first miracle.

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle The Waters of Jericho Purified. 19 The men of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.” (2 Kings 2:19)

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle 20 “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’ ” (2 Kings 2:20-21)

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle 22 And the water has remained wholesome to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. (2 Kings 2:22)

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle The key to understanding its application for us today is to recognize the symbolism. There are 3 symbols we must consider: The city is Jericho. The bad water. The jar of salt.

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle Historical Background. There were beautiful buildings, trees, gardens, and much activity—but no actual fruitfulness. By a miracle of God the water was purified with permanent results.

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle The Symbols Used: The City

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle 26 At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: “At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates.” (Joshua 6:26)

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle Jericho portrays the world, which is under the curse of God. This world may at first look good or pleasant, but in reality it is barren and and empty. Only God can remove the curse.

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle The Bad Water Water is often used as a symbol of the Word of God, the Holy Spirit of God, and the cleansing that comes from both. In place of God’s Word, we have humanism: man’s philosophies and doctrines.

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle In place of the Holy Spirit, there are evil spirits who promote these doctrines. In place of cleansing, refreshment, and life there is pollution, weariness and death.

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle The Jar of Salt 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Cor. 4:6)

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Cor. 4:7)

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle Elisha requested not just a jar, but a new jar. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17)

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle 17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matt. 9:17)

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle Conclusion Salt of the earth speaks of our influence upon the world. Salt has several characteristics. 6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg? (Job 6:6)

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle Through the metaphor of “salt” Jesus depicts the relationship of Christians to the world as one of: Making the world palatable to God, and possibly to others as well.

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle Perhaps making it possible for God to continue to bear with this world and its “distasteful” wickedness. The “righteous few” can make it easier for God to bear with the wicked.

The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle 2 Kings 2:19-25 08/31/2008 Dr The Life of Elisha: His First Miracle 2 Kings 2:19-25 08/31/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles