The Bones of Elisha

 

Miracles without Faith, part 4

 

Introduction

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “Dead men tell no tales”. The idea behind it is that a person takes their secrets to the grave.

But suppose one who is dead still has powers in this world? Miraculous powers! An interesting event took place revolving around the Elisha the Prophet.

 

Brief History of Elisha the Prophet

One of the challenges of God’s prophets was to stand for the truth and be willing to defend it to the death. Elijah, however, had a moment of distrust when his life hung in the balance following the Mount Carmel victory (1 Kg. 18:19ff).

God finds him in a cave and tells him, “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.” (1 Kings 19:15-16) He also tells him that He has reserved 7,000 in Israel that haven’t bowed their knee to Baal (vs. 18). Elijah did as God commands and Elisha leaves his family to follow him (vs. 20-21)

We pick up the story in 2 Kings where Elisha makes a unique request. And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that 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. And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. (2 Kings 2:9-12)

From the rest of chapter 2 to chapter 13 is the life of Elisha as God’s prophet. The interesting event took place at Elisha’s death. In 2 Kings 13:14, Elisha becomes sick with an illness that he will die from. He made a final prophecy with the King of Israel and then died.

 

The Moabite Attack

When a prophet of God dies, it becomes a sign to the enemy for them to attack. It was no different here, but the unusual event took place as some Israelite were on their way to bury a friend. Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet (2 Kings 13:20-21). Even though Elisha was dead, his body brought one back to life!

But who, here, had faith that the miracle would take place? Elisha? No, he was dead and clearly unaware of what was taking place. The person brought back to life? He might have obtained faith after being revived but, certainly, not while dead. What about those who carried their friend’s body? They might have had faith in God, but their focus was on burying their friend. They weren’t looking for a miracle to happen. And, of course, the Moabites didn’t show faith as they were of the children of Israel. They were looking to invade them.

The whole incident was through fate brought upon by God. The men ditched their friend’s body in the first tomb that they happened upon so that they might hide themselves from the Moabite invasion. We are to conclude that the tomb of this friend was still a way off.

The revival of this individual was a sign, from God, to give Israel hope in regard to Elisha’s final prophecy, that he made with the king, of defeating their enemy.

 

Underestimating the Power of God

In the first part of Matthew 16:4 Jesus said, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign…” How often, today, do people desire to see a miracle happen? If you look on social media, you see all kinds of memes of people stating that if you share this post, you’ll get your miracle the next day. Here are some questions to ask: Is God working for these people? Do they have control over when and where a miracle will take place? Is God working to their specifications? The answer to all them of is, NO!

Miracles have ceased (1 Cor. 13:8-10) as we now have the entirety of scripture. We have no need for more miracles as those who performed miracles were doing so to simply confirm the word that they were preaching (Mk. 16:20).

 

Conclusion

Miracles don’t have the power to save. It’s the power of the gospel which saves people (Rom. 1:16). Put aside your foolish desire to see a miracle and turn to the word of God for help (2 Tim. 3:16-17).