Topical Bible: Obedience: Elisha

◄ Obedience: Elisha ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Elisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament known for his unwavering obedience to God. His life and ministry, as recorded in the books of 1 and 2 Kings, provide numerous examples of obedience to divine instruction, demonstrating the power and blessings that come from faithfully following God's commands.

Call and Commissioning

Elisha's journey of obedience begins with his call to ministry. In 1 Kings 19:19-21, Elijah finds Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen and throws his cloak over him, symbolizing the transfer of prophetic authority. Elisha's immediate response is one of obedience; he leaves his oxen, bids farewell to his family, and follows Elijah. This act signifies his willingness to forsake his former life and commit fully to God's calling.

Miracles and Ministry

Throughout his ministry, Elisha performs numerous miracles, each underscoring his obedience to God's instructions. In 2 Kings 2:19-22, Elisha purifies the waters of Jericho by casting salt into the spring, following God's guidance. This miracle not only demonstrates God's power but also Elisha's role as a faithful servant who acts according to divine will.

Another significant instance of Elisha's obedience is found in 2 Kings 4:1-7, where he instructs a widow to gather empty vessels and pour her small amount of oil into them. The widow's obedience to Elisha's instructions results in a miraculous multiplication of oil, providing for her and her sons. Elisha's role as an obedient intermediary between God and His people is evident in this narrative.

Obedience in Leadership

Elisha's obedience extends to his leadership and guidance of others. In 2 Kings 6:8-23, Elisha warns the king of Israel about the movements of the Aramean army, demonstrating his obedience to God's revelations. His actions save Israel from potential disaster, highlighting the importance of obedience in leadership and the protection it can afford to God's people.

Faithfulness in Adversity

Elisha's obedience is also evident in times of adversity. In 2 Kings 6:24-7:20, during a severe famine in Samaria, Elisha prophesies the end of the famine and the defeat of the Arameans. Despite skepticism from the king's officer, Elisha remains steadfast in his obedience to God's message. The subsequent fulfillment of his prophecy underscores the reliability of God's word and the importance of obedience even when circumstances seem dire.

Legacy of Obedience

Elisha's life serves as a testament to the blessings and power that come from obedience to God. His unwavering commitment to God's commands, even in the face of challenges, sets a standard for believers. Elisha's ministry, marked by miraculous acts and prophetic insight, illustrates the profound impact of a life lived in obedience to the divine will.

In summary, Elisha's account is a powerful example of obedience in action. His life and ministry reflect a deep commitment to God's purposes, demonstrating the transformative power of obedience in the life of a believer. Through Elisha, we see that obedience to God not only brings about personal blessings but also serves as a conduit for God's work in the world.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 19:19-21
So he departed there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle on him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Call of Elisha
... shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room" (1 Kings 19:16), He had said;
and in obedience to the command, Elijah went to find Elisha. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 17 the call of.htm

How Joram and Jehoshaphat Made an Expedition against the Moabites ...
... he was entering into against the Moabites, who had departed from their obedience,
who not ... of the servants of Joram said that he had seen there Elisha, the son ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how joram and.htm

New Covenant Obedience
... of the beauty of this New Covenant life, with its power of holy and joyful obedience? ...
It is as with Elisha's servant, all heaven is around him and he knows it ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xiii new covenant obedience.htm

Intenser Wooing.
... There is an instance similar to this in the borrowed axe-head that swam in obedience
to Elisha's touch of power to meet the need of the distressed theological ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/intenser wooing.htm

Divine Calls.
... human feeling, were rebuked for want of promptitude in their obedience;"for time ...
are the circumstances of the call of the great prophet Elisha, though he ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ii divine calls.htm

Gentleness Succeeding Strength
... Elisha is distinctly secondary to Elijah. He is in no sense an originator,
either of fresh revelations or of new impulses to obedience. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gentleness succeeding strength.htm

The Spirit of Power
... gift, that strength comes to us by contact, not with Elisha, but with Elisha's Lord
and ... to Him, and in union with Him by faith and love and obedience, can have ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the spirit of power.htm

Naaman
... The proud spirit of Naaman rebelled against following the course outlined by
Elisha. ... Willing obedience alone would bring the desired result. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 20 naaman.htm

Naaman's Wrath
... through us all, according to the diagnosis of Christianity, and our Elisha deals
with ... souls which ought to stand in a living relation of glad obedience to our ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/naamans wrath.htm

Matt. Iv. 12
... home, and converse with our kinsfolk," but "they forsook all and followed," even
as Elisha did to Elijah." [574] Because such is the obedience which Christ ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xiv matt iv 12.htm