Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that this was a supernatural posthumous validation by God of Elisha's status as a true prophet, and particularly with regard to the prophecy that Elisha had made on his deathbed to Joash (also called Jehoash), the king of the northern ten tribes of Israel (as recounted in 2 Kings 13), concerning Israel's future success (but short of complete victory) in its ongoing conflict with Syria, as described starting at 2 Kings 12:17. Perhaps it was done to give the king and, by extension, the nation the needed courage and resolution to prevail over the Syrians.

(Also, perhaps, it was to elevate Elisha in the eyes of the people by having an event associated with him (although he had died) that could be seen in the same light as Elisha's predecessor Elijah being taken directly into heaven without dying (2 Kings 2:11).)

(This also might have been the final part of the fulfillment of Elisha's request of Elijah (just before Elijah was taken to heaven) that Elisha be granted a double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 1:9-12). (Elijah told Elisha that, if Elisha saw Elijah as Elijah was being taken to heaven -- which Elisha did -- then Elisha would receive what he had asked for.) Elijah raised people from the dead while he was on earth (as in 1 Kings 17:8-24), but (as illustrated in the passage cited in the question) Elisha was capable of doing so even after he had died, as a final evidence that his request of Elijah had been fully granted.)

May 26 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho

We have only two verses in (2 Kings 13:20-21) for the death and the burial tomb of Elisha. What astounds us today is the lack of faith, we are more of a spectator waiting to see IF a miracle will take place. In the book of (Acts 19:11-12, Acts 5:15) those who believed brought unto the sick anything that Paul touched, handkerchief or aprons and they were healed and delivered and it still happens today. 

I believe the anointing Elisha received just by Elijah passing by him and casting his mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19) and the double portion he received for having the grace to see him being taken away in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:12) had a significant effect even after his death as the men who was being buried was actually hurriedly let down in the tomb as the Moabites were invading the land. 

The revival of the men in the tomb and the witness of the people who were burying in fear as they spied a band of their enemies approaching should have given them the understanding to believe the God of Abraham was just not a mere word of promise but His presence was with men at all times.

The anointing Paul carried was of his encounter and his faith in Christ. The presence of the Lord’s Spirit over shadowed him where ever he would go as was with Peter (Acts 5:15). Elisha even after his physical death and his bones lying in the tomb was overshadowed by the presence of the Lord Spirit.

May 29 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report