Seeing Jesus in All of Scripture: Insights from Elijah and Elisha

 

This is Spoken Scripture. We are dedicated to seeing Jesus in all of Scripture. In each episode, we explore what's occurring in a Biblical text and how it sheds light on Jesus and his gospel. Let's dive in.
 

The Evil of Ahab's Empire
 

The evil of Ahab's empire and his bloody war with Syria exist alongside Elijah and Elisha's prophetic ministries. As prophets, they are living signs of life and freedom in an age ruled by evil and oppression. Without exception, each of the miracles they perform—even a wonder involving a floating axe head—proclaims good news to Israel's oppressed while prosecuting Israel's oppressive kings.
 

Elisha's Miracles and Their Significance

 

While building a home for their prophetic community, one of Elisha's men loses a borrowed axe head in the river. Previously, in Elisha's ministry, a widow nearly sold her two children over a debt of oil. Losing an iron axe would almost certainly result in slavery, especially when the kings have allowed Israel's slave trade to flourish. So Elisha reverses gravity, and the axe floats to the surface. This is no petty miracle, but proof that God will dramatically reverse oppression and deliver from slavery.

 

Elisha's Battle Against Syria


 

But Elisha isn't just combating Ahab's dynastic cruelty within Israel; he's also fighting Syria's hostility against Israel. God gives Elisha some prophetic intel on Syria's battle strategies, which he provides to Israel. Constantly defeated, Syria's king recognizes that Elisha is the supernatural mole and sends an entire battalion to seize him. Yet God surrounds Syria's soldiers with an army of his own and blinds every last soldier.
 

A Feast for the Blind Soldiers

 

With no other choice, the blind army follows God's prophet to the king of Israel, who intends to massacre these prisoners of war. But God restores their sight, and Elisha demands the king of Israel set a feast for these soldiers and release the captives. Elisha is not just a mole; he embodies and establishes the salvation God wishes to give Israel by saving her enemies. God saves the blind Syrian army to indict Israel's king for his failure to see God's salvation and freedom in Elijah and Elisha. If only they had the eyes to see, Israel would be saved.
 

Wonders as Affirmations and Indictments

 

Wonders are both affirmations of good news to Israel and indictments of Israel. God is bringing freedom and redemption even to the Syrians. If Israel will listen to the voice of the prophet, their debts will be paid, their blind eyes will be opened, and they will be freed.

 

Jesus' Miracles and Their Deeper Meanings
 

Like Elisha's ministry and miracles, Jesus' ministry and miracles are much more than just demonstrations of power. They are proclamations of good news for the oppressed of Israel while simultaneously indicting those who have rejected God. Jesus' healing of a Roman centurion declares that healing power is available to all who have faith. Yet it's also a judgment on Israel's lack of faith. When prostitutes and tax collectors feast at Jesus' table, it's an invitation for us to admit our brokenness and sickness as much as it is an invitation to celebrate that God accepts the outsider.

 

Healing the Blind and Paying Debts

 

When Jesus heals a blind man, it's not just a powerful declaration of good news to the blind. It's also judgment on those who claim they can see. In a story very similar to the lost axe, Peter owes taxes, and Jesus says, "Find the money in a fish's mouth." Like the lost axe, the metal coins are drawn to the surface, and his debt is paid. This is not just a demonstration of Jesus' power, but evidence that God delivers us from the debts we owe if we are willing to listen and have eyes to see.

 

Recognizing the Prophetic Signs

 

Israel in Elisha's day, the spiritual leaders in Jesus' day, and many people today disregard God's prophet and his prophetic signs. We either limit them to displays of power or, even worse, dismiss their prophetic dimensions. Yet if we admit we are blind and follow the voice of God's prophet Jesus, our debts will be paid in full. Our blind eyes will be opened, we will be released from our captors, and we will enjoy a feast in the presence of our enemies.

 

Conclusion: Follow the Voice of Jesus


So follow the voice of Jesus and see for yourself. I ask that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes to see the God who has sent his prophet. May you see that none of Jesus' miracles are petty, but both affirmations of his good news and invitations to repent.

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