Elisha was a prophet who lived in Israel during the 9th century BC. He was the successor of Elijah, and he performed many miracles, including parting the waters of the Jordan River, purifying the water of Jericho, and resurrecting the son of the Shunammite woman. His miracles were a sign of God’s power and love for His people, and they also showed that Elisha was a true prophet of God.
The prophet Elisha is renowned for his remarkable ministry, as documented in 2 Kings 2-13, where he performed a total of 32 recorded miracles. These miraculous deeds can be categorized into various types:
- Healings (3): Elisha demonstrated the power of healing, bringing relief and restoration to those afflicted by various ailments.
- Raising of the Dead (2): Elisha brought the deceased back to life through his prophetic authority, showcasing divine life-restoring capabilities.
- Judgments (3): Elisha pronounced judgments in specific situations, illustrating God’s righteous response to disobedience or mockery.
- Wondrous Miracles (12): Elisha performed extraordinary acts that defied the laws of nature, demonstrating the limitless power of the divine.
- Prophecies (12): Elisha made predictions and guided his prophetic insights, impacting the course of events.
Notably, Elisha’s ministry included twice as many wondrous miracles as his predecessor, Elijah, who performed 16 miracles. Elisha’s numerous miracles and prophecies highlight his significant role as a prophet and servant of God, emphasizing the profound impact he had on the people and the faith he inspired through his extraordinary works. In this post, we will look at the most prominent miracles God wrought at the hands of his prophet, Elisha.
1. Parting of the Jordan River
In 2 Kings 2:13-14, Elisha, following in the footsteps of his mentor Elijah, struck the waters of the Jordan River with Elijah’s cloak. Miraculously, the river parted, creating a dry path for him to cross. This powerful display of divine intervention showcased Elisha’s prophetic authority and marked the beginning of his ministry, emphasizing his connection to Elijah’s legacy.
2. Healing the Waters of Jericho
In 2 Kings 2:19-22, Elisha encountered a problem in Jericho where the city’s water was contaminated and causing infertility. Elisha then cast salt into the spring, declaring, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.'” The water was miraculously purified and became a source of life and fertility for the land, demonstrating Elisha’s divine authority and his ability to bring restoration to a community in need.
3. Curse on Mocking Children
In 2 Kings 2:23-25, a group of disrespectful youths mocked Elisha by taunting his baldness. Elisha, in response, called upon the power of the Lord and pronounced a curse upon them. As a result of this divine judgment, two bears emerged from the nearby woods and attacked the mockers, tragically mauling 42 of them. This event serves as a stern warning about the consequences of disrespecting a prophet and the gravity of mocking God’s chosen servants.
4. Multiplication of the Widow’s Oil
In 2 Kings 4:1-7, Elisha encountered a destitute widow facing severe debt and the threat of losing her two sons to slavery. She had only a small jar of oil left. Elisha instructed her to gather empty containers from her neighbors and pour the oil into them. Miraculously, the oil continued to flow until all the containers were filled. She sold the oil, paid her debts, and had enough left to support her family. This miracle demonstrated Elisha’s compassionate nature and God’s provision in times of dire need, highlighting the principle of faith and obedience.
5. Raising the Shunammite Woman’s Son
In 2 Kings 4:8-37, a Shunammite woman had shown great kindness to Elisha, providing him with food and lodging. In gratitude for her generosity, Elisha promised her a son, and she bore a child. Tragically, the boy died at a young age. Grief-stricken, the woman sought Elisha’s help. Elisha went to her house, prayed to the Lord, and stretched himself over the lifeless body of the child. The boy was miraculously revived, returning to life and health. This remarkable miracle showcased Elisha’s deep connection with God and his ability to restore life, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and faith.
6. Purifying the Deadly Stew
In 2 Kings 4:38-41, Elisha encountered a situation where a group of prophets had prepared a stew, but it became deadly due to the inclusion of a toxic plant. In response to their distress, Elisha directed them to add some flour to the stew. After doing so, the stew miraculously became safe to eat. This seemingly simple miracle illustrates Elisha’s practical wisdom and his role as a spiritual leader, demonstrating that God’s guidance can address even mundane problems, emphasizing the importance of seeking divine help in all aspects of life.
7. Feeding a Hundred People with Twenty Loaves
In 2 Kings 4:42-44, Elisha confronted a daunting task during a time of famine. A man brought him twenty loaves of barley bread and some fresh grain as an offering. Elisha instructed the man to distribute this meager provision to a hundred hungry people. Remarkably, the bread not only fed all the people but there were leftovers as well. This astounding multiplication of food highlighted Elisha’s faith in God’s providence and demonstrated that divine intervention can transcend scarcity, offering nourishment in times of dire need.
8. Healing of Naaman’s Leprosy
In 2 Kings 5:1-14, Naaman, a highly regarded commander in the Syrian army, suffered from leprosy. Upon hearing about Elisha’s reputation as a prophet, he sought healing from him. Elisha instructed Naaman to dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. Initially, Naaman was skeptical and even offended by the simplicity of the remedy. However, at the insistence of his servants, he followed Elisha’s instructions. After the seventh dip, Naaman’s skin was miraculously restored, completely free from leprosy. This healing revealed God’s power to heal and humble the proud, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience in divine healing.
9. Curse of Gehazi with Leprosy
In 2 Kings 5:20-27, Gehazi, the servant of the prophet Elisha, committed a grave act of deception. After Elisha had miraculously healed Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, Naaman offered gifts as a token of gratitude. Elisha, however, refused these gifts. Unbeknownst to Elisha, Gehazi secretly pursued Naaman, lied about Elisha changing his mind, and accepted the gifts, including silver and clothing.
Upon Gehazi’s return, Elisha confronted him, knowing the truth through divine revelation. Elisha pronounced a severe curse upon Gehazi, stating that Naaman’s leprosy would now cling to him and his descendants forever. Immediately, Gehazi was struck with leprosy, a devastating and highly contagious disease that disfigured him and would have led to his social isolation and suffering.
10. Retrieving the Borrowed Ax Head
In 2 Kings 6:1-7, a group of prophets was working near the Jordan River when one of them accidentally lost the borrowed iron ax head into the water. Distressed by the loss, they sought Elisha’s help. Elisha, filled with God’s wisdom and power, cut a stick, threw it into the water, and miraculously made the heavy iron ax head float to the surface. This simple yet significant miracle demonstrated Elisha’s connection to God’s guidance and provision, showcasing that even in mundane situations, divine intervention can bring solutions.
11. Blinding the Aramean Army
In 2 Kings 6:8-23, the king of Aram was waging war against Israel, but Elisha consistently received divine insights about the Aramean army’s movements. Frustrated, the Aramean king sent a formidable force to capture Elisha. When they surrounded the city where Elisha was staying, Elisha prayed for God to strike the army with blindness. The entire Aramean army was temporarily blinded. Instead of taking advantage of their vulnerability, Elisha led them away from Samaria and into the hands of the Israelite king. This miracle demonstrated not only Elisha’s prophetic insight but also God’s protection and the importance of trusting in divine guidance during times of adversity.
12. Famine Relief in Samaria
In 2 Kings 6:24-7:20, Samaria faced a devastating famine due to a prolonged siege by a foreign army. In this dire situation, Elisha prophesied that within a day, food would be abundant. God miraculously caused the besieging army to hear the sound of chariots and horses, causing them to flee, leaving their camp behind, which was filled with provisions. Samaria’s inhabitants, who had been suffering from hunger, suddenly had access to an abundance of food. This miraculous relief highlighted Elisha’s role as a prophet who provided both spiritual guidance and practical assistance in times of crisis.
13. Helping King Joash defeat the Arameans
In 2 Kings 13:14-19, King Joash of Israel sought Elisha’s counsel during a time of conflict with the Arameans. Elisha instructed Joash to take a bow and arrows and strike the ground with them. However, Joash only struck the ground three times before stopping, which disappointed Elisha. Elisha explained that Joash’s incomplete action would result in only a partial victory over the Arameans. This incident serves as a lesson about the importance of wholehearted obedience to God’s guidance and the consequences of partial commitment to achieving God’s purposes.
14. Man Revived After Touching Elijah’s Dead Body
In the Bible, 2 Kings 13:20-21 recounts a remarkable incident that occurred after the death of the prophet Elisha. Elisha had passed away and was buried. During that time, Moabite raiding bands invaded the land. As people were in the process of burying another man, they suddenly spotted the Moabite raiders approaching. In their haste to escape the impending danger, they placed the body in the tomb of Elisha.
What happened next was astonishing. When the deceased man’s body came into contact with the bones of Elisha, he miraculously revived and stood on his feet. This miraculous event is a testament to the divine power associated with the life and ministry of Elisha, even after his death. It serves as a powerful reminder of God’s ability to work through His chosen servants in extraordinary ways, demonstrating His sovereignty over life and death.
Conclusion
The miracles performed by Elisha were a sign of God’s power and love for His people. They also showed that Elisha was a true prophet of God. These miracles benefited the people of Israel in many ways. They provided them with hope and encouragement during difficult times. They also showed them that God was with them and that He would always provide for their needs. The miracles of Elisha can also benefit us today. They remind us of God’s power and love. They also show us that God is still working in the world today. When we are faced with challenges, we can remember the miracles of Elisha and trust that God will help us through.
