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THE LEADERSHIP OF ELISHA

Text: 2 Kings 2
2 February 2010

(I) THE LEADERSHIP OF ELISHA

1. Not everybody easily accepted his position as the successor of Elijah

2. The Jericho sons of the prophets needed convincing that Elisha was indeed the successor (2 Kings 2:15-18)

3. The city of Jericho turned to Elijah with a huge problem

a) The city is pleasant (2 Kings 2:19a)

b) The water was bad and the ground barren (2 Kings 2:19b)

4. Elisha’s proof that he was a worthy successor of Elijah

a) He asked for a new bowl with some salt in it (2 Kings 2:20a)

b) The salt was cast into the source of the water supply (2 Kings 2:21a)

c) Powerful proclamation made

“Thus says the LORD: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ” 2 Kings 2:21b

d) Result of this proclamation

“So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.” 2 Kings 2:22

i) According to the word of Elisha

ii) A miracle had been performed

Elisha was being established by the Lord as the worthy successor of Elijah!

(II) RESISTANCE AT BETHEL

1. Resistance from some young hooligans

“Some youths came from the city and mocked him and said to him,

‘Go up, you bald-head! Go up, you bald-head!’ ” 2 Kings 2:23

a) Mockery

b) Rudeness

2. Elisha’s Response

“So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD.” 2 Kings 2:24a

a) Implied

Elisha’s life may have been in danger!

b) Pronouncing of a curse in the name of the LORD

i) Imprecatory declaration

ii) Laying on of a curse

iii) Invocation of the Lord’s name

3. Vindication and Protection of Elisha

a) Two female bears came out of the woods

b) They mauled the 42 young hooligans

c) Significance

i) Vindication of Elisha as the approved and anointed prophet of God

ii) Protection of the Lord’s servants (through the female-bears)

(III) MINISTRY OF ELISHA

1. Mount Carmel (2 Kings 2:25a)

2. Samaria (capital of Israel) (2 Kings 2:25b)