These chapters continue the stories of Elisha, a great and faithful prophet of God through whom he works nine miracles.
Through these miracles, both Elijah, and Elisha his successor, highlight aspects of God’s power—his control over nature, care for the helpless, power over sickness and death and supremacy over mere idols like Baal.
The prophets show that the Lord is not merely one religious option among many, but is the one and only God, with absolute power. Human events are under his control. He is the judge of people and nations, yet his covenant love is extended to non-Israelites as well, including a poor woman who is rescued from poverty through a miracle of multiplication, and from infertility by pregnancy. Later, when her child dies, he is restored to life through Elisha’s prayer.
In addition, a foreigner named Naaman is cured of leprosy and he bears witness to the Lord: “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel…From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god, except the Lord.” (2 Kings 5:12,17)
It is ironic that a pagan outsider should bear witness to the one true God, when the Israelites themselves are breaking God’s commandment by worshipping pagan idols. Already, we begin to see more evidence of God’s promise to bless the nations through Abraham coming true.
Prayer: Lord, your love for the whole world amazes us, for we tend to love only those who are like us and agree with us. Help us to see the world through your eyes so that we may be willing to share the blessing of the gospel with everyone. Amen.
Blogging Through the Bible 