Elisha

 Elisha, the successor of Elijah, is renowned for performing numerous miracles that demonstrate God’s power and compassion. His actions not only addressed immediate needs but also affirmed his role as a prophet of Yahweh, providing a powerful witness to God’s presence among His people. 

1. Purifying the Waters of Jericho 

After picking up Elijah’s mantle, Elisha returned to Jericho and encountered unwholesome waters. The people of Jericho expressed their distress over the waters, which caused death and barrenness.

 “The people of the city said to Elisha, ‘Look, our Lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.’ Elisha said, ‘Bring me a new bowl and put salt in it.’ So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, ‘This is what the Lord says: I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’”
(2 Kings 2: 19- 22 )

 This miracle not only restored the water’s purity but also signified Elisha’s authority as a prophet. 

2. Relief from Drought and Victory Over Moab

During a severe drought affecting the allied armies of Judah, Israel, and Edom, Elisha intervened at their request. He predicted both relief from the drought and victory over the Moabites. 

“He said, ‘This is what the Lord says: Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.’” ( 2 Kings 3 : 16 – 17 ) 

The next day, the predictions were fulfilled, showcasing Elisha’s prophetic power.

This moment emphasizes the importance of faith and the reality of spiritual warfare, reminding believers that God’s protection is always present.

 3. Cursing the Youths from Bethel

 In a more controversial event, a group of boys from Bethel mocked Elisha’s baldness. In response, he cursed them in the name of Yahweh, leading to two bears coming out of the forest and mauling forty-two boys: 

” From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. ‘Get out of here, baldy!’ they said. ‘Get out of here, baldy!’ He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.”
( 2 Kings 2 : 23 –  24 ) 

This event illustrates the seriousness of respecting God’s appointed prophets. 

4. Miraculous Provision for the Widow

 Elisha performed another miracle for a widow of one of the prophets who was in debt. He instructed her to collect empty jars and miraculously multiplied her small amount of oil to fill them, allowing her to pay her debts and sustain her family: 

“Elisha replied, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’ ‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a small jar of olive oil.’ Elisha said, ‘Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.” 
( 2 Kings 4 : 2 – 7 ) 

This act not only saves her family but also highlights God’s provision in times of need, reinforcing Elisha’s role as a caretaker for the vulnerable. 

5. Resuscitating the Shunammite Woman’s Son 

Elisha’s compassion extended to a wealthy Shunammite woman who had provided for him. When her son died unexpectedly, Elisha returned to her home and raised the child back to life:

 “When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy.”
( 2 Kings 4 : 32 – 35 ) 

 This act illustrates Elisha’s authority as a prophet and God’s power over life and death.

 6. Feeding the Prophets 

During a famine, Elisha provided for the sons of the prophets by turning poisonous pottage into wholesome food. 

“Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, ‘Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets.”
( 2 Kings 4 : 38 – 41 ) 

Additionally, he fed a hundred men with twenty loaves of barley, leaving leftovers: 

“A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. ‘Give it to the people to eat,’ Elisha said.”
( 2 Kings 4 : 42 – 44) 

This foreshadows Jesus’ later miracles of feeding the multitudes, connecting Elisha’s work to a broader biblical theme of divine provision. 

7. Healing Naaman 

One of Elisha’s most well-known miracles was healing Naaman, a Syrian commander, of leprosy. Initially reluctant, Naaman followed Elisha’s instruction to wash in the Jordan seven times and was completely healed: 

“Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, ‘Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.’” ( 2 Kings 5 : 10 ) 

Naaman’s healing led him to declare faith in the God of Israel. 

“Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, ‘Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.’” ( 2 Kings 5 : 15 ) 

 This miracle emphasizes the theme of obedience and the universality of God’s mercy, as Naaman was not an Israelite. 

8. Saving King Jehoram

 Elisha consistently provided guidance to King Jehoram of Israel, foiling ambushes by the Syrian king Benhadad. His prophetic insights ensured the safety of the Israelite forces. 

“Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, ‘I will set up my camp in such and such a place.’ The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: ‘Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.’”
( 2 Kings 6 : 8 – 12 )