BIBLE NUGGETS 0207/2010 [2 Kings 2:9-10, James 5:17-18 KJV]
DOUBLE MIRACLES
Elijah and Elisha were two outstanding prophets in the area of signs, wonders and miracles. In the public ministry of these two mighty men of God, their ministry was power-packed with one miracle after another. Counting individual miracles, Elijah had 21 miracles on record and Elisha 41 (in his lifetime). This does not add up mathematically [21×2=42] because Elisha was a servant of Elijah and he, Elisha, asked for a double portion of the spirit of Elijah before Elijah’s translation to heaven. Elijah said this is a hard thing for me to give you but if you see me go to heaven in a chariot of fire, then you will get the double portion. Elisha stuck fast to Elijah. He knew what he wanted and was not going to be discouraged by the fellow prophets. They all were witnesses to what God did through the life of Elijah and even knew from Elijah that it was his last day. He repeatedly told them, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. [2 Kings 2:9-10]
9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
The mighty miracles in Elijah’s ministry include: multiplying food like Jesus did with the case of 5 loaves & 2 fishes, feeding 5000 men excluding women and children, with baskets left over. In the case of Elisha, they [the sons of the prophet and Elisha], all heard of the miracles of their master Elijah such as the case of the widow of Zarephat [I King 17: 10-24] who had barrels and barrels of oil to sell and feed from because she believed the man of God who had asked from her a cruise of oil. Elijah also raised her dead son like Jesus did in the case of Lazarus. The 3 years drought resulting from the prayer of Elijah for his pronouncement as a result of the sins of King Ahab was also an outstanding miracle. Elijah and Elisha were men of like passion, having good hearts ready to be used of God. God honoured Elijah’s word because he spoke them by faith – unshakable and solid faith like a rock. After 3 years when He called back rain, it did not appear it would rain. He was not even moved, telling his servant Gehazi to go look 7 times before the servant saw rainy clouds in what appeared to be the hand of a man [1 King 18: 41-46]. Elijah had just completed the disgrace of 400 prophets of Baal, by calling down fire to consume their sacrifice. The triumph of his faith is recorded in the New Testament.
James 5:17-18
and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
God performed 41 miracles in the lifetime of Elisha. However, recall that he had received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit who performed 21 miracles. This seeming discrepancy was finally solved when Elisha had died, God empowering the dead bones of Elisha after his death to revive a man who died.
2 kings:13:20-21.
20And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. 21And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
The word of God is yea and amen and since it cannot return to God unfulfilled, he will bring to pass his promises and blessings upon your life in Jesus Name. Amen.
PRAYER OF FAITH
1. Oh Lord, fill me with a double portion of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Name.
2. Let your Holy Spirit rest upon me after the order of Elijah and Elisha in the mighty Name of Jesus.