Elisha, A Prophet with Heart / NKJV 365

 

Elisha

A Prophet with Heart

His name sounds a lot like that of his mentor, Elijah. Both prophets struggled against the idolatrous Baal cult; both wielded great influence over the leaders of their day. But they differed markedly in how they carried out their spiritual duties.

The prophet Elisha relied more on miracles than did his fiery mentor, Elijah, and a greater number of his signs and wonders demonstrated God’s mercy and gentleness. The Bible says Elisha performed twice as many miracles as Elijah and more wonders than any Old Testament character other than Moses.

But while these two men differed in their methods, they pursued the same objective: to turn their people from idolatry and bring them back to the true and living God.

In a way, the differences between Elijah and Elisha reflect the complex nature of the God they served. Elijah most often proclaimed God’s judgment and wrath, while Elisha tended to declare His love and grace. Together they provide a human illustration of Romans 11:22, which urges us to “consider the goodness and severity of God.”

The life of Elisha demonstrates that God uses leaders of all kinds, both those who emphasize His judgment and wrath and those who draw men and women to Himself through tender demonstrations of divine love and grace.

Taken from The Maxwell Leadership Bible

“Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.” So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.” And the oil stopped. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.””

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭4:1-7