Elisha II: Chariots of Fire

II Kings 5-7

In Elisha, we definitely have the gift of miracles. He is even more prolific with them than his mentor (the healing of the water in 2:19-22; the miraculous provision of water in 3:15-19; multiplying oil in 4:1-7; the resurrection of the Shunammite’s son in 4:8-37; the cleansing of the toxic stew in 4:38-41; the multiplying of food in 4:42-44; the healing of Naaman in 5:1-27; the floating axhead in 6:1-7. There are two negative miracles in Elisha’s ministry – the commanding of the bears to maul the youth for calling him names in II Kings 2:23-25 and the blinding of the Arameans in 6:8ff).

Two stories stand out in this reading. The first is the healing of Naaman in chapter 5. Naaman had to learn to accept God’s healing on the prophet’s terms and not his own. Healing does happen in a variety of ways. We also are able to share the gift of healing in a variety of ways. Perhaps, if we had a larger perspective about what healing is, we would see the gift in greater operation. Some heal in an instant, while others are involved in healing people, relationships, situations, and organizations over months, years and even decades of time. Some people have connected St. Luke’s as a whole to the gift of healing. How do you see evidence of that? Poor old Gehazi. He wanted a cut of the action and thought Namaan had gotten off too easily. Why are we afraid to be merciful? Gehazi ended up being sick without the healing.

The second story is one that can get past us easily. In chapter 6, when the armies of the Arameans had surrounded the Israelites with their horses and chariots, the prophet exercises the gift of faith and encourages his servant. Elisha prays that the servant will truly see that with God they have the advantage. What does he see but horses and chariots of fire? Where have we had that image before? So the servant is enabled to really see, while the Arameans are blinded. John wrote in his first letter, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Isn’t it easy to forget to factor in God when we feel overwhelmed? We’ve all been there. I have said it before from the pulpit and I still believe it, “Faith can and often does create its own reality.” Unfortunately so does skepticism.