RSM: Elisha's Bones Bring Life

Title: Life from Dead Bones: The Power of God Beyond the Grave

Text: 2 Kings 13:20–21

Introduction

Turn to 2 Kings chapter 13. We’re going to read through verses 14-25

Last week we discussed = Beginning of Elisha’s ministry, two bears.

This week = 2 events: one before Elishas death and one after death.

Elisha’s deathbed w/ Jehoash (joash) lost opportunity

Elisha’s death and his bones bringing man back to life.

SETTING OF THIS STORY v.14-19:

This FIRST STORY is about Elisha meeting the King of Israel on Elisha's death bed.

SETTING:

This story takes place during the reign of King Jehoash (or Joash) of Israel, a king who—like nearly every king in the northern kingdom, was doing evil the the sight of the Lord.

READ VERSE 2 KINGS 13:11

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 13

11 He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin, but he walked in them

QUESTION: What were the sins of Jeroboam? What did Jeroboam do that he is most known for?

= Setting up golden calves for the Israelites in the northern Kingdom to worship

Joash continued in this sin.

Israel at this point in Biblical history is in a very dangerous place, they are not doing well, they are in decay, much resembling America and our culture today:

Politically weak, being led by godless men

Spiritually compromised, they are idolators, adopting religious practices of foreigners

Surrounded by enemies, and fearful because of it

Under God’s judgment, for rejecting him and his prophets

Generation after generation, the people refuse to repent, and continued falling away from the Father.

And yet—despite their wickedness—God keeps sending prophets. God does not forget them.

Not because Israel deserves it. Not because they’re faithful. But because God is faithful to His covenant promise.

Now we start in verse 14

Elisha is on his deathbed and gets visited by King Joash

Jehoash’s Lost Opportunity v. 14-19

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 13

14 When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

15 Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows.

16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands.

17 He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.”

18 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped.

19 So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.”

OVERVIEW: 14-19

READ v. 14

14 When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

Q1: Why would an evil King be weeping over Gods prophet?

Joash weeps because he knows the prophet Elisha matters, not because he is faithful.

He honors the prophet because he fears losing protection.

He wants victory, and Israel has many enemies

He know that the strength of his armies is not what protects Israel, and that he needs God on his side.

Elisha’s ministry is marked by God’s power overcoming human inability.

And Joash knew that, he had seen that God was with Elisha.

The prophet Elisha was a man who:

Purified poisoned water (2 Kings 2:21) We discussed this

Raised a child from the dead (2 Kings 4:32–35)

Fed a hundred men with little bread (2 Kings 4:42–44)

Healed a Syrian with leprosy (2 Kings 5)

Elisha was a man clearly walking with God and was being empowered by him to do these signs and miracles, so losing him would have been frightening for the King.

Q2: Why did the King mention the “the chariots of Israel and its horseman.”

What is the king referencing there? Where does that come from?

Referring back to Elijah’s ascension

Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

Verses 15-19

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 13

15 Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows.

16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands.

17 He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.”

18 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped.

19 So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.”

Q1: Why do you think the prophet Elisha was angry with King Joash?

Elisha gave the King Joash a golden opportunity to defeat Aram (Syria) once and for all, but he failed to use his opportunity.

Elisha is working as a prophet, giving the King instruction from the Lord.

He tells him to strike the ground, but instead of using all the opportunity the Lord had provided him, he only strikes 3 times. And as a result will no longer be able to destroy Aram.

LATER IN VERSE 25 its tells us the King only wins 3 battles, the result from him not fully carrying out the will of God in this story.

Think about how tragic it is to fail to take advantage of the great opportunities the Lord puts before you..…

Not carrying out the tasks that God puts before you will carry consequences into your future, much like not taking advantage of this opportunity caused defeat later for Joash.

GOD GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAVE MY COMPANY

Had I not taken it, and had I not followed the opportunity God gave me, I could have lost what mattered in life, and lost God in pursuit of my own selfish ambition.

This winded up with me being here… so far taking the opportunities the Lord has provided me has always worked out.

Elisha’s Death v. 20

So, at the end of verse 19 Elisha is angry with the King.

Then here in verse 20 Elisha gets the most boring death in all the bible.

20 Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year.

Elisha died. They buried him. Thats it.

No chariots from Heaven, no horses of fire. Just dead and in the hole.

Now what does Israel do without the prophet?

The prophet just dies. And Israel keeps sinning and falling further away from God.

This would have been a time of despair for the people of the Northern Tribes of Israel.

He dies, and immediately the text tells us:

“Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year.”

In other words: The nation is still under threat. The enemies are still coming. The problems are not gone.

This is what happens when a nation ignores God’s direction:

Judgment continues

Chaos remains

Enemies advance

This should sound familiar to us as Americans.

America does not need more Christian celebrities. We need repentance, and true repentance that only comes through a changed life devoted to Christ.

These bands of Moabites were not large armies. But small roving predatory invaders taking advantage of Israels weakness.

It says they would come around in the spring of the year?

QUESTION: Why do you think they would come in the spring?

Food crop is in season. Lots of resources. Easy to feed yourself as you go.

This is how militaries throughout history would operate as well. Everything would grind to a halt in the winter months due to lack of food for the armies, same situation here at a smaller scale.

So if you are going to go out robbing do it somewhere you can get resources. ;)

Verse 21

21 As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet. — 2 Kings 13:20–21

So we have: Dead man being carried by his Pallbearers, who are looking to bury him.

Then they see a marauding band, NOT a mariachi band, easy to get those confused. They panic to get away from the attackers, and dump their friends body in a nearby grave that happens to contain the remains of Elisha.

Then comes the moment that sparks hope for a nation in distress.

It says: when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet. .

Who do you think was more shocked, the formerly dead man or his friends?

This seems like a hectic story, but it has a lot of meaning for the nation of Israel.

Here is the central truth:

The prophet is dead—but the word of God is not.

Isaiah 40:8 says:

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

Elisha’s voice is silent. His body is buried. But God’s promise to Israel remains.

Though Israel had rejected Elisha while he was living, even in his death God is still speaking through him, using the only part of him that is left on earth, his bones.

This miracle is a sign of both grace and judgment.

Grace—because it is a sign to Israel that God has not abandoned them. However, it is a warning of Judgment also—because Israel still refuses to repent.

John 12:37 says:

“Though He had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in Him.”

All of the prophets signs and miracles could not replace internal repentance.

A Picture of Resurrection Power

This miracle is also a shadow—a preview—of something greater to come.

This points us forward.

Ezekiel 37 speaks of dry bones coming to life by the word of God. Daniel 12 promises resurrection. And then—centuries later—a tomb outside Jerusalem stands empty.

Jesus Christ brings life by laying down His own.

Romans 8:11 says:

“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.”

The same God who gave the nation of Israel hope by raising a man through Elisha’s bones is the God who raised Christ from the grave and will raise you on the last day.

But until that last day, Faithful men will die. Generations will pass. But God’s truth remains alive, and the promise of a resurrected life through Christ is the hope for all mankind.

Application for the Us Today

1. Do Not Despise God’s Word While You Have It

Israel ignored Elisha while he preached and witnessed to them. They only marveled at Elisha and the power of God after he died.

Do not wait to repent and submit yourself to God now.

Hebrews 3:15 says:

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Every time you reject God’s call in your life, you are hardening your heart to him.

2. God Is Not Limited by Death, Decline, or Darkness

Today our nation may look may look weak. Culture may look hostile to God and evil. Things may get worse, and we may see many faithful men may fall.

But God is still going win. His word is still the truth and can never fail us.

Matthew 16:18

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

With all the evil around us, it can be easy to get distressed.

Always remember that Christ has already won.

3. Resurrection Power Is Found Only in Christ

You will not be saved by tradition, or a political figure, or your own success.

Only union with Christ brings life.

Christ says in John 11:25:

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

Conclusion

Church, this is a strange story—its a short one but it tells a clear truth.

God’s power does not die with His servants. God’s word does not fade with the generations. God’s ability to give life is not hindered by death.

And one day, every grave will open—not because of a prophet’s bones—but because the King of Kings walked out of His own tomb.