Elisha’s Closing Ministry
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Syrian foe, now occupying the territory east of the Jordan, was to be
repulsed. Once more the power of God was to be manifested in behalf
of erring Israel.
The dying prophet bade 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
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the Jordan in possession of the Syrians. The king having opened
the latticed window, Elisha bade him shoot. As the arrow sped on
its way, the prophet was inspired to say, “The arrow of the Lord’s
deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt
smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.”
And now the prophet tested the faith of the king. Bidding Joash
take up the arrows, he said, “Smite upon the ground.” Thrice the king
smote the ground, and then he stayed his hand. “Thou shouldest have
smitten five or six times,” Elisha exclaimed in dismay; “then hadst
thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt
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smite Syria but thrice.”
2 Kings 13:15-19
.
The lesson is for all in positions of trust. When God opens the
way for the accomplishment of a certain work and gives assurance
of success, the chosen instrumentality 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. He calls for men of devotion to His work,
men of moral courage, with ardent love for souls, and with a zeal that
never flags. Such workers will find no task too arduous, no prospect
too hopeless; they will labor on, undaunted, until apparent defeat is
turned into glorious victory. Not even prison walls nor the martyr’s
stake beyond, will cause them to swerve from their purpose of laboring
together with God for the upbuilding of His kingdom.
With the counsel and encouragement given Joash, the work of
Elisha closed. He upon whom had fallen in full measure the spirit
resting upon Elijah, had proved faithful to the end. Never had he
wavered. Never had he lost his trust in the power of Omnipotence.
Always, when the way before him seemed utterly closed, he had still
advanced by faith, and God had honored his confidence and opened
the way before him.