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Elisha’s Closing Ministry
Elisha lived to see many changes in the kingdom of Israel. Haz-
ael the Syrian had afflicted the apostate nation. Jehu had executed
all the family of Ahab. Jehoahaz, Jehu’s successor, had lost some
of the cities east of the Jordan to invaders. For a time it had seemed
that the Syrians might gain control of the entire kingdom. But the
reformation Elisha carried forward led many to turn to God. These
forsook the altars of Baal, and slowly yet surely God’s purpose was
being fulfilled in those who chose to serve Him with all their heart.
Out of His love for erring Israel, God permitted the Syrians
to afflict them. Because of His compassion for those whose moral
power was weak, He raised up Jehu to kill Jezebel and the whole line
of Ahab. Once more, through God’s merciful workings, the priests
of Baal and Ashtoreth were set aside and their heathen altars thrown
down. God foresaw that if temptation were removed, some would
turn away from heathenism. This is why He permitted disaster after
disaster to come to them. And when His purpose was accomplished,
He turned the tide in favor of those who had learned to seek Him.
While Satan was doing all in his power to complete the ruin
he had accomplished during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel, Elisha
continued to bear his testimony. He met with opposition, yet none
could refute his message. Many came to him for counsel. Joram,
king of Israel, sought his advice; and once, in Damascus, messengers
from Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, visited him. To all, the prophet bore
faithful witness in a time when the great majority of the people were
openly rebelling against Heaven.
And God never forsook His chosen messenger. On one occasion,
the king of Syria tried to destroy Elisha because he told the king of
Israel about the plans of the enemy. The Syrian king had counseled
with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”
The Lord revealed this plan to Elisha, who “sent to the king of Israel,
saying, ‘Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are
coming down there.’ Then the king of Israel sent someone to the
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