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Elisha’s Closing Ministry
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cheered the prophet, inspiring him with a great longing to reach all
who were honest in heart.
From a human point of view the outlook for regenerating the
nation spiritually was as hopeless then as it is today. But Christ has
empowered the church to do a special work, and if she is loyal to
God, obedient to His commandments, no power can stand against
her. The dawn of a bright, glorious day is before her if she will
put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness and withdraw from all
allegiance to the world.
Talk Courage and Hope
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 His 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.
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 to Elisha, ‘See now, the place where we dwell with
you is too small for us. Please let us go to the Jordan, and let every
man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place 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.
“As one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the
water; and he cried out and said, ‘Alas, master! For it was borrowed.’
[98]
So the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’ And he showed him the
place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the
iron float. Therefore he said, ‘Pick it up for yourself.’ So he reached
out his hand, and took it.”
Verses 5-7
.
Elisha’s Last Days
Elisha’s ministry had been so effective that as he lay on his
deathbed, even the youthful King Joash, an idol worshiper with little
respect for God, recognized that the prophet had been a father in
Israel. The king acknowledged that Elisha’s presence among them