Salvation Story

Read: 2 Kings 2:1-18

When the group of prophets from Jericho saw from a distance what happened, they exclaimed, “Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha!” 2 Kings 2:15

IN WORD

Elijah’s name means “Yahweh is God,” which was exactly the message he preached. He was zealous for pure worship of the one true Lord, both in his own life and in the national culture of God’s people. He was outraged that the God of Israel, who had carefully chosen and powerfully delivered His people, was being brazenly rejected in favor of idols of wood and stone. He had a jealous spirit for God.

Elisha received the Spirit that was working in Elijah, but the message came out different. After Elijah preached uncompromising truth, Elisha demonstrated the mercy of God in the midst of a cursed land. Elijah declared the sins of the nation; Elisha remedied them. Elisha did things like heal lepers, bless cursed cities, promote reconciliation, feed a multitude, and raise the dead. (That should all sound familiar to anyone who has read the Gospels.) And Elisha’s name reflects the message of his life: “God saves.”

We see that dynamic often in Scripture. Moses, the prophet of the Law, took God’s people to the edge of the Promised Land; Joshua (whose name also means “God saves”) took them in. The captivity disciplined the nation; Joshua the high priest (same name, same meaning) led the worship of God’s people afterward. John the Baptist pointed out the sins of the nation; Jesus (whose name also means “God saves”) came to heal them. The Old Testament emphasizes why we need a Savior; the New Testament gives us one. In every case, uncompromising righteousness is followed by fulfillment.

IN DEED

Elijah and Elisha illustrate the heart of God. God never compromises His righteousness, but He is always willing to redeem and satisfy our lack of it. In fact, Elisha—the mercy emphasis in the prophetic duo—received a double portion of the Spirit. God’s mercy is always a higher priority to Him than judgment (James 2:13). God’s heart will always draw Him to those who need His grace.

ADDITIONAL READING: James 2:12-13

Among the attributes of God, although they are all equal, mercy shines with even more brilliance than justice.

MIGUEL DE CERVANTES