Elisha
Read 2 Kings 2v13-18 Elijah had gone; but Elisha shows that his trust wasnât in a man but in God. He says in verse 14, âWhere now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?â On striking the water Elisha saw God releasing his power in a repeat of the miracle earlier (v8). This double miracle was witnessed by the prophets on both occasions. Elisha had no doubt that Elijah had been transported to Heaven and he was proved right.
Q. Is our faith and trust in God or in our leaders?
Anne OâBrienâs
WEDNESDAY
BIBLE STUDY
Read 2 Kings 2v19-22 Verse 18 informs us that the spring was in Jericho. âThe land is unproductiveâ â the word used for land is referring to the people of the land â probably having miscarriages. The small amount of salt couldnât purify that amount of water. It was a symbol of Godâs healing and wholeness and the change that can result as the touch of Godâs hand. Already Elisha is revealing Godâs power and blessing. Read 2 Kings 2v23-25 A gang of teenagers jeered Elijah â probably reflecting the attitude of their parents towards Godâs prophets. As we saw with Elijah and Micaiah, God sees when his people are persecuted and defends them. Justice under Old Testament Law was different to the idea in the New Testament of âturning the other cheekâ, which is what Jesus did.
Q. Why do you think that is? This study notes provide the core content of a bible study. While the core message of the study has been captured for you to read, written text can not fully express the sense of anointing upon the discussion of the word or the joy of corporate fellowship. We encourage you to pray before you begin reading that the Lord would open your heart and mind to be receptive and responsive to Godâs message contained within this study. There may be times when you find it difficult to reconcile Godâs truth to your own opinion or worldview, Godâs truth is eternal, it does not change, our understanding of the truth does change as we allow God to work in our hearts and minds.
Read 2 Kings 3v1-11 Ahabâs first son, Ahaziah, had died so his second son Joram became king (ch.1v17&18). Although heâd got rid of the Baal stone, he still allowed anyone to be a priest in the Temple (Jeroboamâs sin). Mesha, King of Moab (to the east of the Jordan) had reneged on an agreement to provide the Israelites with countless lambs and wool. So Judah and Israel â Joram and Jehoshaphat â agreed to attack Moab from the south of the Jordan via the desert of Edom (Edomâs king joining them en route). When they ran out of water it was godly Jehoshaphat who suggested asking the prophet.
Q. Do people think of asking us to pray when there is a need? Read 2 Kings 3v11b-19 Elisha was found. He was disparaging of Joram and Israel but, because he respected Jehoshaphat he agreed to seek the Lord; and he sat and listened to music as a way of entering into Godâs presence. As he was doing so God gave him a message: dig ditches, you will have water, the Moabites will be handed over to you and you must put a stop to their productivity. In others words the Moabites would experience the opposite of what the Israelites had experienced.
Q. Do we have a special way that helps us to hear from the Lord? Read 2 Kings 3v20-27 They woke up the next morning to find water â a miracle in the desert. And God used the miracle to deceive the Moabites â they thought the water was blood from a battle between the three invading kings so that they were surprised when they were attacked. The Israelites were victorious in battle. In desperation the Moabite king sacrificed his own son on the city wall, but to no avail.