Still Faithful pt7
When God releases us to a ministry He is unconcerened about our adequacy. He makes us into what we need to be and goes before us to demonstrate how His calling is true.
Fifty prophets serve as witnesses as Elijah and Elisha stop at the Jordan. Elijah strikes the Jordan, the river parts, and the two men walk over on dry land. The fact that this group of prophets has seen this miracle becomes important later, for Elisha’s repetition of the act will confirm in their minds that Elisha is truly Elijah’s successor
Only Elijah’s cloak remains. Elisha takes it back to the Jordan and asks where Elijah’s God is—the God who caused drought, brought fire from the sky, raised the dead, and took Elijah to heaven. When Elisha strikes the water with the cloak, he discovers that while Elijah is gone the Lord is not, for the water parts again. The prophets who witness the whole scene understand that Elijah’s spirit, the spirit of zeal and power, now rests on Elisha
Still, they seek for Elijah for three days, then return to the new master prophet. Apparently there was still some doubt about whether Elisha could really replace Elijah, though it seems that he has at least laid claim to the status once reserved for Elijah among the company of the prophets
A second miracle reveals Elisha’s prominence to the men of Jericho. The city’s water supply is bad, which renders the land as “unproductive” as a couple without children or robbed of children. Elisha purifies the water while performing a ritual involving salt. Gray notes that this use of salt most likely symbolized a break with the past, such as was declared when offerings were made holy by the rubbing of salt
Elisha pronounces a swift curse on the group, and bears maul forty-two of the boys. This punishment comes as a punishment of the Lord, in whose name the curse was offered (cf. Lev 26:21–22). The youths were typical of a nation that “mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets” (2 Chr 36:16). Some commentators think this story was originally meant “to frighten the young into respect for their reverend elders,” while others believe the account is legendary and represents the worst notions of certain prophetic circles.28 Cogan and Tadmor are more in touch with the story itself, for they argue that the account demonstrates Elisha’s “effective use of the name of YHWH” and his role as new “father” of the prophets. It is also true that the scornful have discovered Elisha is no more to be trifled with than Elijah was. Three groups of characters are now aware of Elisha’s prominence. Others have yet to learn this fact, however, so further miracles may be required.