Elisha lived to see many changes in the kingdom of Israel. Hazael the Syrian had scourged the apostate nation. Jehu had slain all the house of Ahab. Jehoahaz, Jehu’s successor, had lost some of the cities east of the Jordan. For a time it had seemed as if the Syrians might gain control of the entire kingdom. But the reformation carried forward by Elisha led many to inquire after God. The altars of Baal were being forsaken, and slowly yet surely God’s purpose was being fulfilled in those who chose to serve Him with all the heart.
(SS 137.1)
It was because of His love for erring Israel that God permitted the Syrians to scourge them. Because of His compassion for those whose moral power was weak He raised up Jehu to slay Jezebel and the house of Ahab. Once more, through a merciful providence, the priests of Baal and of Ashtoreth were set aside, and their heathen altars thrown down. God foresaw that if temptation were removed, some would forsake heathenism, and this is why He permitted calamity after calamity to befall them. And when His purpose was accomplished, He turned the tide in favor of those who had learned to inquire after Him.
(SS 137.2)
While Satan was doing all in his power to complete the ruin he had wrought during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel, Elisha continued to bear his testimony. He met with opposition, yet none could gainsay his words. Many came to him for counsel. Joram, king of Israel, sought his advice; and once, when in Damascus, he was visited by messengers from Benhadad, king of Syria. To all, the prophet bore faithful witness in a time when the great majority of the people were in open rebellion against Heaven.
(SS 137.3)
And God never forsook His chosen messenger. On one occasion, the king of Syria sought to destroy Elisha because of his apprising the king of Israel of the plans of the enemy. The Syrian king had taken counsel with his servants, saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.” This plan was revealed by the Lord to Elisha, who “sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.”
(SS 138.1)
“Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.” 2 Kings 6:8-12.
(SS 138.2)
Determined to make away with the prophet, the Syrian king commanded, “Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him.” The prophet was in Dothan, and, learning this, the king sent “horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots.” Verses 13-15.
(SS 138.3)
In terror Elisha’s servant sought him. “Alas, my master!” he said. “How shall we do?”
(SS 138.4)
“Fear not,” was the answer of the prophet, “for they who be with us are more than they that be with them.” Then, that the servant might know this for himself, Elisha prayed, “Lord, ... open his eyes, that he may see.” So “the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” An encircling band of heavenly angels had come in mighty power to minister to the Lord’s helpless ones. Verses 15-17.
(SS 138.5)
As the Syrian soldiers boldly advanced, ignorant of the unseen hosts of heaven, “Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray Thee, with blindness. And He smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.”
(SS 139.1)
“And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, ... shall I smite them? And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” Verses 18-22.
(SS 139.2)
For a time after this, Israel was free from the attacks of the Syrians. But later, under king Hazael, the Syrian hosts surrounded Samaria and besieged it. Never had Israel been brought into so great a strait as during this siege. The horrors of prolonged famine were driving the king of Israel to desperate measures when Elisha predicted deliverance the following day.
(SS 139.3)
The next morning the Lord “made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host.” Seized with fear, “they fled for their life,” leaving “the camp as it was,” with rich stores of food. 2 Kings 7:6, 7.
(SS 139.4)
During the night, four leprous men at the gate of the city, made desperate by hunger, had proposed to visit the Syrian camp and throw themselves on the mercy of the besiegers, hoping to obtain food. What was their astonishment when, entering the camp, they found “no man there.” Verse 10. With none to forbid, “they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace.” Verses 8, 9. Quickly they returned to the city with the glad news.
(SS 139.5)
So abundant were the supplies that on that day “a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel” (Verse 16), as foretold by Elisha the day before.
(SS 140.1)
Thus the man of God labored from year to year, drawing close to the people, and in times of crisis standing by the side of kings as a wise counselor. The dark shadow of apostasy was still everywhere apparent, yet here and there were those who had steadfastly refused to bow to Baal. As Elisha continued his work, many learned to rejoice in the service of the true God. The prophet was cheered by these miracles of divine grace, and he was inspired with a great longing to reach all who were honest in heart.
(SS 140.2)
From a human point of view the outlook for the spiritual regeneration of the nation was as hopeless as is the outlook today. But the church of Christ is empowered by Him to do a special work, and if she is loyal to God, obedient to His commandments, no power can stand against her. There is before her the dawn of a bright, glorious day, if she will put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance to the world.
(SS 140.3)
God calls on His faithful ones, who believe in Him, to talk courage to those who are unbelieving and hopeless. Show humble faith in God’s power and willingness to save. When in faith we take hold of His strength, He will change, wonderfully change, the most hopeless, discouraging outlook. He will do this for the glory of His name.
(SS 140.4)
Elisha continued to take an active interest in the schools of the prophets. God was with him. On one occasion “the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell.” 2 Kings 6:1, 2. Elisha went with them, encouraging them, giving instruction, and even performing a miracle to aid them.
(SS 141.1)
“As one was felling a beam, the axhead fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.” Verses 5-7.
(SS 141.2)
So effectual had been his ministry that as Elisha lay on his deathbed, even the youthful King Joash, an idolater with little respect for God, recognized in the prophet a father in Israel and acknowledged that his presence among them was of more value in time of trouble than an army of horses and chariots. See 2 Kings 13:14.
(SS 141.3)
To many a troubled soul the prophet had acted the part of a wise father. And in this instance he turned not from the godless youth before him, so unworthy of the position of trust he was occupying, and yet so greatly in need of counsel. God was bringing the king an opportunity to redeem the past and place his kingdom on vantage ground. The Syrian foe was to be repulsed. Once more the power of God was to be manifested in behalf of erring Israel.
(SS 141.4)
The dying prophet told the king, “Take bow and arrows.” Joash obeyed. Then the prophet said, “Put thine hand upon the bow.” Joash “put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said, Open the window eastward”—toward the cities beyond Jordan in possession of the Syrians. 2 Kings 13:15-17. The king having opened the window, Elisha told him to shoot. As the arrow sped on its way, the prophet was inspired to say, “The arrow of the Lord’s ... deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.” 2 Kings 13:17.
(SS 141.5)
And now the prophet tested the faith of the king. Bidding Joash take up the arrows, he said, “Smite upon the ground.” Three times the king smote the ground. “Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times,” Elisha cried in dismay, “then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.” Verses 18, 19.
(SS 142.1)
The lesson is for all in positions of trust. When God gives assurance of success, the chosen instrument must do all in his power to bring about the promised result. In proportion to the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work is carried forward will be the success given. God can work miracles for His people only as they act their part with untiring energy. Men of devotion, of moral courage, with a zeal that never flags will labor on undaunted until apparent defeat is turned to victory. Not even prison walls will cause them to swerve from their purpose of upbuilding God’s kingdom.
(SS 142.2)
With the counsel and encouragement given Joash, the work of Elisha closed. He had proved faithful to the end. Never had he lost his trust in the power of Omnipotence. Always he had advanced by faith, and God had honored his confidence.
(SS 142.3)
It was not given Elisha to follow his master in a fiery chariot. Upon him the Lord permitted to come a lingering illness. As on the heights of Dothan he had seen the encircling hosts of heaven, so now he was conscious of the presence of sympathizing angels, and he was sustained. As he had advanced in a knowledge of God’s merciful kindness, faith had ripened into an abiding trust in God, and when death called him he was ready.
(SS 142.4)
“The righteous hath hope in his death.” Proverbs 14:32. Elisha could say in all confidence, “As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” Psalm 17:15.
(SS 143.1)