Elisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his miraculous deeds and profound influence on the spiritual and political landscape of Israel. One of the notable aspects of Elisha's ministry is his ability to convey God's will through simple yet profound instructions, which often led to miraculous outcomes. These instructions, though straightforward, required faith and obedience from those who received them.

The Healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14)

One of the most illustrative examples of Elisha's simple instruction is found in the account of Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram. Naaman, a valiant warrior, suffered from leprosy. Upon the advice of a captive Israelite girl, Naaman sought healing from the prophet Elisha. When Naaman arrived at Elisha's house, the prophet sent a messenger to him with a simple instruction: "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean" (2 Kings 5:10).

Initially, Naaman was angered by the simplicity of the instruction and the perceived slight of not being personally attended to by the prophet. However, his servants persuaded him to follow Elisha's directive. Upon obeying and dipping himself seven times in the Jordan River, Naaman's flesh was restored, and he was cleansed of his leprosy. This event underscores the power of faith and obedience to God's word, even when the instructions seem mundane or beneath one's expectations.

The Widow's Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7)

Another instance of Elisha's simple instruction is the account of the widow's oil. A widow of one of the sons of the prophets came to Elisha in distress, as her creditor was coming to take her two sons as slaves. Elisha instructed her to "Go, borrow empty vessels from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few" (2 Kings 4:3). He then told her to pour her small amount of oil into the vessels.

The widow followed Elisha's instructions, and miraculously, the oil continued to flow until all the vessels were filled. She was able to sell the oil, pay her debts, and live on the remainder. This miracle highlights the importance of trust in God's provision and the willingness to act on faith, even when the solution seems improbable.

The Floating Axe Head (2 Kings 6:1-7)

In another account, the sons of the prophets were cutting down trees near the Jordan River when an iron axe head fell into the water. The man who lost it cried out to Elisha, as the axe was borrowed. Elisha's response was simple: "Where did it fall?" (2 Kings 6:6). Upon being shown the place, Elisha cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float.

This miracle, achieved through a simple act, demonstrates God's concern for the everyday needs of His people and His power over the natural world. It also reflects Elisha's role as a conduit of God's miraculous intervention through straightforward, faith-filled actions.

The Feeding of a Hundred (2 Kings 4:42-44)

Elisha's simple instructions are further exemplified in the feeding of a hundred men. A man brought Elisha twenty loaves of barley bread and some ears of grain. Elisha instructed his servant, "Give it to the people to eat" (2 Kings 4:42). The servant questioned how such a small amount could feed a hundred men, but Elisha reiterated, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over'" (2 Kings 4:43).

The servant obeyed, and the men ate and had leftovers, fulfilling the word of the LORD. This event prefigures the New Testament miracles of Jesus feeding the multitudes and emphasizes the sufficiency of God's provision through obedience to His word.

Elisha's simple instructions throughout his ministry serve as a testament to the power of faith and obedience. They reveal God's desire to work through His servants to accomplish His purposes, often in ways that defy human logic and expectation.