BUT … God!

II Kings 4: 8 - 37

Elisha’s Story: I Kings 19

• The Nation of Israel divided into 2 separate Nations – King

Solomon’s son – Rehoboam – arrogance!

• 900 bc: Nation of Judah = “State” of Benjamin and “State” of

Judah…the other 10 became the Nation of Israel.

• I & II Kings – historical perspective

• I & II Chronicles – priestly perspective

• Same time period, same stories, different purpose for telling

Confusing!!! YES!

• The OT big rocks: Adam to Noah to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

(Patriarchs) to Moses’ time to Joshua (conquering Promise Land)

to 14 different Judges to Country ruled by Kings (King Saul 1

)

• David (2

King) to Solomon to Rehoboam to a big big mess!!!

Babylonian captivity and Assyrian captivity and Medes and Persian

captivity.

• God sends the prophets to bring Israel back. 4 Major prophets =

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. 12 Minor… look them up!

That takes us back to Elisha’s Story:

• At each point of Israel’s history – God intervened!

• BUT … God!!!

Elisha’s Story begins in I Kings 19: 16 - 21

• Elijah’s low after the victory over the 400 prophets of Baal

• V. 16 … “anoint Elisha…to succeed you as prophet…”

• Vv. 19 – 21 Elijah searched and found Elisha

• Elisha was working! (MYOBing) Plowing the family fields

• Elijah places his mantel (cloak or coat) on Elisha and leaves

• Elisha wants to say goodbye

• Elijah responds, “What have I done to you?”

• Elisha breaks the yoke, kills the 24 oxen, feeds everyone then

says goodbye to his family and follows Elijah

Elijah’s God becomes Elisha’s God…

• II Kings 2 – Elijah asks Elisha “What do you want”… Elisha

responds a double blessing (Elijah = 14 miracles; Elisha – 28

miracles)

• Elijah and the chariots of fire

• Elijah’s mantel falls…Elisha picks it up … now, time to cross

over the Jordan again…

• V14 “where now is the God of Elijah?” Struck the water and it

parted

• Group of Elijah’s students saw and stated Elijah’s anointing is

now on Elisha…

One of the 28 = the Shunammite’s Son

• II Kings 4: 8 – 37 and 8: 1- 6

Shunem– a little town in Israel

Shunem means “she knows” or

“to rest”

A wealthy woman or a wealthy

Shunammite woman…

II Kings 4: 8 - 37

• Loved the Lord and the prophet, built a special room for Elisha

• Granted her the desire of her heart – a child ( a son)

• Years later (approximately 10 – 12 years) the son died… she put the

boy on Elisha’s bed.

• Donkeyed a long distance to find Elisha, fell at his feet…

• “I told you not to tease my heart…I did not ask you for a child…

and now he is dead…”

• Elisha sent his servant to run and place his staff on the boy’s

body

• Then he and the mother followed, the boy still did not move

• Elisha sent everyone out and began to pray, again and again…laid

down on top of the boy…twice…then GOD… the boy sneezed and

lived again…

Off point! Apply to us HOW???

• I didn’t ask for this! You God gave this to me!

• Finish, don’t tease me, Lord!

• We’re left with confusion and broken hearts!

• Remember, You promised!

But God!

• Is He the same yesterday, today and forever?

• Did Jesus die and rise again to forgive my/your sins?

• Can He heal your heart and forgive our sins?

But God!