2 Kings 4:25-31 ESV

When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.” 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”

PERSISTENCE.

The head of the son of the Shunamite woman suddenly ached so that her husband brought to him to her. Sadly, he died at her lap. She laid him upon Elisha’s bed at her house and went out to look for Elisha, who was at Mt. Carmel.

And when she had a chance to meet Elisha, she caught hold of his feet. Then, she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” It was Elisha’s idea for her to have a son in order to give her joy. He gave her a son as a gesture of gratefulness for her sacrifices in taking care for him.

Conversely, the tragic death of the boy had her shifting from joy to deep sadness. Since, she had grown in her affection to the boy and gone in a day tragically, she felt she was betrayed. Sometimes, the great blessing that God has brought us could be a source of sadness. Let’s remember that everything in this world are fleeting and momentary, including our relationships.

Elisha had summoned his servant Gehazi to run as quickly as he can to bring the boy alive by laying his staff upon him. But, the woman did not content with this. She clung firmly upon Elisha’s feet as Jacob did to the angel, and said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” Her persistence had caused Elisha to go back with her to her home. Thankfully, God is more than willing listen to our cries. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”[Psa 34:18] Unlike the unjust judge in Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:1-4, our gracious God is many times more than willing to hear us when we pray. Are we not encouraged to persist in pursuing God.

The staff of Elisha should remind us of the powerful staff of Moses, that he rose to divide the Red Sea. Although the staff worked during Moses’ time, Elisha’s staff did not work in raising the boy to life again. This reminds us the God who created the universe out of nothing couldn’t be stereotyped in the ways He does.

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2 Kings 4:8-17 ESV

8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. 10 Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”

11 One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. 12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” 14 And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” 17 But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.

A KINDNESS REWARDED

While Elijah was taken cared by a poor Shunamite woman, Elisha was cared by a wealthy Shunamite woman. Her hospitality was shown by urging Elisha to eat her food whenever he passed by her home. Perceiving that Elisha was a holy man after some time, she suggested to her husband to make “a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to them, he can go in there.” This act of consulting the husband had shown how she respected him, revealing her good heart.

She who showed kindness had reaped the same. Elisha asked his servant Gehazi to call her in order to find out what should be done unto her for all her sacrifices for him. Should she have requests before the king or to the commander of the army, Elisha was willing to do it for her. But, she answered, “I dwell among my people.” That is, she was satisfied with her lot. In other words, she was contented in life. Contented people demonstrate goodness not for any gain or ulterior motive,

But, Elisha wanted to bless her although she did not want anything from him. Gehazi had noticed that she, living with her old husband, and they had no son. For this, Elisha surprised her that she would become a mother the next year. It was a news too good to be true. Hence, she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.”

God is the God of surprises, is He not? His goodness always exceeds our expectations. But the writer of Hebrews says, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”[Heb 6:10]. Even Jesus had said, “The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.”[Matt 10:41] Indeed, He is ‘able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.’[Eph 3:20] Indeed, those who honor God, he also honors. [1 Sam 2:30]

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2 Kings 4:1-7 ESV

Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2 And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. 4 Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

BRING MORE EMPTY VESSELS

One of the sons of the prophets died. His widow approached Elijah seeking for his help. Why? The creditors were going to take his two children soon to enslave them as payment for her debts. Definitely, like the widow, only those who are desperate do seek God’s help in prayer, don’t they? Is the feeling of self-sufficiency the reason why most don’t seek God today?

Like the widow, every sinner is in bondage of sin. And, the wages of sin is death.[Rom 6:23] Like the ceditors, death is sure and inevitable to happen, sooner or later. May the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin to people and make them realize their need of salvation in Christ alone. [John 16:7-9]

Like the widow at Zarepath who Elijah helped, she had nothing but a jar of oil. Elisha had instructed her to borrow empty vessels as many as she could, from her neighbors. She has to pour the oil into these jars, one at a time. And, she has to do it secretly at home. She did exactly what Elisha had told her.

Out of God’s miraculous power, she poured the only oil of her jar and filled all the jars, one at a time. Thus, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” But, there was nothing more. Thus, the flow of the oil ceased. Simply put, the problem lied to the lack of empty vessels and not on the lack of supply of oil.

In our relationship with God, the problem does not lie in God but in us who limit God. The issue is not that God won’t use us. But, we lack the consecration that God could use us. As Paul had said, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”[2 Tim 2:21] The power of God depends upon our cleansing.

Are we empty vessels fit for God to use? God won’t use a vessel full of self and pride, would He? May we all yield to the Spirit’s control. As Paul had expressed, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”[Eph 5:18] The Spirit who resides in our hearts should have more of us.

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2 Kings 3:21-27 ESV

21 When all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to put on armor, from the youngest to the oldest, were called out and were drawn up at the border. 22 And when they rose early in the morning and the sun shone on the water, the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood. 23 And they said, “This is blood; the kings have surely fought together and struck one another down. Now then, Moab, to the spoil!” 24 But when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose and struck the Moabites, till they fled before them. And they went forward, striking the Moabites as they went. 25 And they overthrew the cities, and on every good piece of land every man threw a stone until it was covered. They stopped every spring of water and felled all the good trees, till only its stones were left in Kir-hareseth, and the slingers surrounded and attacked it. 26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle was going against him, he took with him 700 swordsmen to break through, opposite the king of Edom, but they could not. 27 Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. And there came great wrath against Israel. And they withdrew from him and returned to their own land.

THE SOVEREIGN ACTS OF GOD

The Moabites rallied everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, to fight the Jews. Amazingly, they saw the pools of water as red as blood at a distance. This had deceived them to think that the Jews were killed out of infighting. Thus, they rushed to get the spoil. But, the Israelites rose and struck them in an ambush. They pursued them as they fled away striking everyone.

They overtook completely their cities exactly as Elisha had said. They overthrew the cities, and on every good piece of land every man threw a stone until it was covered. They stopped every spring of water and felled all the good trees, till only its stones were left in Kir-hareseth, and the slingers surrounded and attacked it.

Upon seeing his inevtable defeat, the king of Moab fled with 700 swordsmen. They wanted to breakthrough opposite the king of Edom but they couldn’t. Out of desperation he offered his eldest son, his successor to the throne, as a burnt offering to his idol. This caused a great ‘wrath’ to the Israelites, who were on the verge of winning, to withdraw.

Did the idol overpower God? Isn’t it that an idol is nothing before God? Definitely, God has allowed this to happen. He can use Babylon and Assyria later to fulfill His plan and purposes to discipline the Israelites. According the psalmist, “ Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.”[Psa 76:10]

Though how surprising these events were, Elisha’s prophecy happened exactly as proclaimed. Their withdrawal in such fashion did not nullify the prophecy. It does prove that not everything was revealed to Elisha by God. God had defied man’s expectations. God is not bound by the conventional. Why? He is the Sovereign God so that His actions could surprise us.

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2 Kings 3:13-20 ESV

13 And Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No; it is the Lord who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 14 And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. 15 But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’ 17 For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’ 18 This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. He will also give the Moabites into your hand, 19 and you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree and stop up all springs of water and ruin every good piece of land with stones.” 20 The next morning, about the time of offering the sacrifice, behold, water came from the direction of Edom, till the country was filled with water.

GOD HONORS THE HUMBLE

Certainly, Elisha did not honor Jehoram as a true worshiper. Sarcastically, he advised him to go back to the prophets of his parents. He agreed to help him only because of Jehoshaphat. In other words, God through Elisha will show His goodness to Jehoram only because of Jehoshaphat.

Jehoshaphat humbled so that he gained the favor from the prophet. Indeed, God will give grace to the humble. [1 Pet 5:5] Solomon even says, “Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”[Prov 18:12] And, the people around Jehoshaphat had experienced God’s favor as well.

Then, the prophet Elisha had prophesied that streambeds will be filled with water so that their cattles and animals could drink. That God will give Moabites unto them so that they will ruin every fortified city including all the trees and springs of waters. Thus, the next morning, about the time of offering the sacrifice, behold, water came from the direction of Edom, till the country was filled with water.

Humility may reverse the mishaps and bad consequences we experience in life. For in humility, we recognize our brokenness and thereby, are prompted to ask help. And God is there ready to pour His grace and mercy to us. Definitely, humility was the key to David’s greatness, so he says;

“ You have given me the shield of your salvation,

and your right hand supported me,

and your gentleness made me great.”[Psa 18:35]

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2 Kings 3:9-12 ESV

9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. 10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 11 And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” 12 And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

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9 Kaya't humayo ang hari ng Israel kasama ang hari ng Juda, at ang hari ng Edom. Nang sila'y nakalibot ng pitong araw na paglalakbay, walang tubig para sa hukbo o para sa mga hayop na nagsisisunod sa kanila. 10 At sinabi ng hari ng Israel, “Kahabag-habag tayo! Tinawag ng PANGINOON ang tatlong haring ito upang ibigay sa kamay ng Moab.” 11 Ngunit sinabi ni Jehoshafat, “Wala ba ritong propeta ng PANGINOON upang tayo'y makasangguni sa PANGINOON sa pamamagitan niya?” At isa sa mga lingkod ng hari ng Israel ay sumagot, “Si Eliseo na anak ni Shafat na siyang nagbuhos ng tubig sa mga kamay ni Elias ay narito.” 12 Sinabi ni Jehoshafat, “Ang salita ng PANGINOON ay nasa kanya.” Kaya't ang hari ng Israel at si Jehoshafat, at ang hari ng Edom ay pumunta sa kanya.

IS THERE NO PROPHET OF THE LORD HERE?

Enroute to attack Moab, both kings Jehoshaphat and Jehoram marched with their respective armies through the desert for seven days. To their dismay, they found out that in this tortous journey they found no water for the army and animals that followed them.

Certainly, their military venture without the prophetic advice had resulted to a disaster. As Solomon has warned, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”[Prov 16:25] Many Christians argue confidently that they act and decide base upon sound judgment. They gather the facts except to pray for God’s guidance. Thus, they ended up regretting for their presumptuousness.

Firstly, Jehoram gave the impression of recognizing the hand of the Lord. However, we do question the sincerity whether it was real ‘faith’ that led to his pious behavior, don’t we? At the time of crisis, many irreligious people do resort to pray. God for them is the contingency plan and nothing else.

Jehoshaphat, on the other hand, was brought to his senses. He asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” He should have done this at the start. Elisha’s name popped out so that both agreed to consult him.

Mistakes or sins could only be acknowledged humbly. There is no other way to correct ourselves by accepting our sin and ask for God’s help and mercy. Solomon says, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”[Prov 28:13] God can forgive but may not remove the consequences.

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2 Kings 3:4-8 ESV

4 Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he had to deliver to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. 5 But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. 6 So King Jehoram marched out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel. 7 And he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to battle against Moab?” And he said, “I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” 8 Then he said, “By which way shall we march?” Jehoram answered, “By the way of the wilderness of Edom.”

9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. 10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 11 And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” 12 And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

A NEGLECT TO PRAY.

When Ahab died, King Mesha of Moab, a vassal kingdom to Israel, rebelled. King Jehoram, Ahab’s son and successor, prepared the kingdom to fight against Moab. He invited King Jehoshaphat of Judah to fight with him. And Jehoshaphat immediately agreed, saying, “I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” Previously, Jehoshapat was very concerned to ask ‘the counsel of the Lord’ when he helped Ahab to fight against the Syrians.[See 1 kings 22:5] He neglected to pray. He even resorted to tactics right away with Jehoram. [v.8]

We should involve God in our planning and making decisions, should we not? It was Solomon who said;

“The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.”[Prov 16:9]

Solomon added; “There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.[Prov 16:25]

You are may be facing a crossroad today. And, you’ve got to make a big decision. Don’t just trust your guts and neglect to pray. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.” [Prov 3:5-6]

God will guide us a step at a time. As the psalmist David said, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.”[Psa 37:23]. Seeking His guidance does make us wise to avoid pitfalls. It was AJ Gordon who said, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed.”

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2 Kings 3:1-3

In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twelve years. 2 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, though not like his father and mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made. 3 Nevertheless, he clung to the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from it.

Nang ikalabingwalong taon ni Jehoshafat na hari ng Juda, si Jehoram na anak ni Ahab ay naging hari sa Israel sa Samaria, at siya ay naghari sa loob ng labindalawang taon. 2 Siya'y gumawa ng masama sa paningin ng PANGINOON; bagama't hindi gaya ng kanyang ama at ina, sapagkat kanyang inalis ang haligi ni Baal na ginawa ng kanyang ama. 3 Gayunma'y kumapit siya sa mga kasalanan ni Jeroboam na anak ni Nebat, na dahil dito'y nagkasala ang Israel; hindi niya ito hiniwalayan.

GOOD YET NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

King Jehoram [Joram] was not the same as his father Ahab and brother Ahajiah. He put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made and upheld by his brother Ahaziah. The implication is that he did not worship Baal. However, the Baal cults was still much alive.

He tolerated Baal worship but not participating it. Thus, his sins are less spectacular sort his predecessors, who worshiped and encouraged others to worship Baal. However, his sins were still worthy of divine judgment of course.

He still clung to the sin of Jeroboam. “Jeroboam’s reign included many sins, yet the “sin of Jeroboam” is a specific reference to idol worship that marked his reign and the reigns of the kings of Israel who followed him. This sin was one that angered the Lord and ultimately led to judgment upon Israel.”[gotquestions.org]

Many people pat their own shoulders when talking about goodness. They feel good that they don’t do evil themselves badly as others but tolerate it in their homes and places where they have influence. Cleaning the facade of our homes while stacking the rubbish at the backdoor does not make the house clean, does it? The rich young ruler had thought he was good by keeping most of the law, even though he loved his riches more than God. Was he good before Jesus?

We can’t be good before God by minimizing to do evil. Man has the propensity to classify sins as big and small. But before the holy God, all sins unto God are punishable by death. This fact is worrisome, isn’t it? Therefore, a simple lying isn’t simple at all.

And who would be able to escape from God’s punishment? Yet, in this hopeless condition, God has provided for us the only solution. He gave Jesus, who sacrificed and paid all our sins at the cross, once for all [1 Pet 3:18]. Therefore, our goodness is only associated to God’ righteousness imputed upon us.[2 Cor 5:21]

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2 Kings 2:23-25 ESV

23 He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. 25 From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

23 Mula roo'y pumunta siya sa Bethel; at samantalang siya'y nasa daan, may mga kabataan na dumating mula sa bayan, na sinasabi, “Humayo ka, ikaw na kalbo! Humayo ka, ikaw na kalbo!”24 Nang siya'y lumingon at makita sila, kanyang sinumpa sila sa pangalan ng PANGINOON. May lumabas na dalawang osong babae mula sa gubat at nilapa ang apatnapu't dalawang kabataan sa kanila. 25 Mula roo'y pumunta siya sa Bundok ng Carmel, at pagkatapos ay bumalik siya sa Samaria.

A DIVINE JUDGEMENT

After Elisha healed the waters of Jericho, he met young boys who were mocking and deriding him. It was a clear manifestation of their great disrespect to the man of God. There must be a cause why they have had such behavior. In 1 Kings 12:25-13:34, Bethel is portrayed as the focal city of apostasy. Could it be that they had adopted the culture of the city of treating the prophets badly? Likely, they did.

The behavior of kids are influenced by both nature and nurture. Foolishness are bound their hearts. [Prov 22:15] And in a decadent culture, their foolishness could be enhanced or re-enforced. Children are like mirrors. They reflect their surroundings. That is why, parental discipline is very necessary. As Prov 22:6 says;

“ Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Interestingly, the NIV had quoted them as ‘youths’, which makes sense. That is, they were not innocent looking young boys making fun of a bald man. The problem was in their hearts not in their mouths. This wickedness was not developed overnight. Sarcastically, they were shouting, “Go up, bald headed.” In a way, they were taunting and insulting him to repeat Elijah’s translation. They were mocking more than his physical appearance but his sacred anointing as a prophet.

Elisha ‘s response was even more intriguing. There was no equivocating. He cursed them in the name of the Lord. That is, he invoked God to deal with them as God saw fit. God had moved two she-bears to maul to death 42 youths, which was a horrible scene. The seriousness of this judgment does tell us about the seriousness of their crime. Surely, it was a warning to all who would scorn the prophet of God. This narrative is not an account of God mauling young children for making fun of a skin head man. Rather, it is a record of an insulting demonstration against God’s prophet by blameworthy youths.

Let’s be watchful to our hearts always.[Prov 4:23] Kids should be discipline even in their formative years. They are who they are because of the nurture they get, besides nature. A disrespect to the man of God is a disrespect to God, and could result to a great punishment from Him.

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2 Kings 2:19-22 ESV

19 Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” 20 He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” 22 So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.

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19 At sinabi ng mga mamamayan sa lunsod kay Eliseo, “Tingnan mo, ang kinalalagyan ng lunsod na ito ay mabuti, gaya ng nakikita ng aking panginoon, ngunit ang tubig ay masama, at ang lupa ay walang bunga.” 20 Sinabi niya, “Dalhan ninyo ako ng isang bagong banga, at lagyan ninyo ng asin.” At kanilang dinala sa kanya. 21 At siya'y pumaroon sa bukal ng tubig at hinagisan niya ng asin, at sinabi, “Ganito ang sabi ng PANGINOON, ‘Ginawa kong mabuti ang tubig na ito; mula ngayo'y hindi na magkakaroon mula rito ng kamatayan o ng pagkalaglag.’” 22 Sa gayo'y bumuti ang tubig hanggang sa araw na ito, ayon sa salita ni Eliseo na kanyang sinabi.

OUR NEED OF HEALING.

At the city of Jericho, the men went to Elisha for an important need. They asked his help about their bad water and land being unfruitful. The city was under curse during the time of Joshua’s conquest may had caused this.[see Jos 6:46] Definitely, they acknowledged that Elisha could help. And, this became the first test to Elisha.

In his capacity as the prophet, he went to the spring and threw salt unto it, saying, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” And, the water was healed miraculously. This was similar to what Moses did to the bitter waters at Marah. He threw a twig into the water surface and the water became sweet.

Definitely, Elisha is a type of Christ. Through Adam’s sin, everyone is under the curse. Paul said, “ Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” [Rom 5:12] However, Paul had expained that Jesus came to give life. He said, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”[1 Cor 5:20,21] In 1 Cor 15:45, Paul concluded, “Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

Like the men of Jericho, each man should recognize his helplessness because of sin. Each one of us is sick. Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”[Mark 2:17] Would a person seek a doctor if he doesn’t recognize his sickness? The healing in Christ is offered to all. But, it is only effective to those who trust Him. It depends upon each one whether he is going to humble himself or not.

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