The War Against Moab The War Against Moab and the Miracles of Elishaand the Miracles of Elisha

2 Kings, Chapters 3:1 – 6:23 2 Kings, Chapters 3:1 – 6:23

• Joram/Jehoram, the next king of Israel, is not as bad Joram/Jehoram, the next king of Israel, is not as bad as his father, Ahab but he is still an evil king. as his father, Ahab but he is still an evil king. • King David had previously conquered the nation of King David had previously conquered the nation of Moab. Because of this Moab paid taxes to Israel in the Moab. Because of this Moab paid taxes to Israel in the form of lambs and wool (100,000 of each)…but after form of lambs and wool (100,000 of each)…but after Ahab dies, Moab rebels.Ahab dies, Moab rebels.• Israel and Judah join forces against Moab. The kings Israel and Judah join forces against Moab. The kings of Judah (Jehoshaphat), Israel (Jehoram), and Edom of Judah (Jehoshaphat), Israel (Jehoram), and Edom run out of water for their troops.run out of water for their troops.• The prophet Elisha reluctantly agrees to help. Elisha The prophet Elisha reluctantly agrees to help. Elisha predicts a flash flood and tells the kings to dig ditches predicts a flash flood and tells the kings to dig ditches in the valley to catch the water. Elisha also predicts in the valley to catch the water. Elisha also predicts victory over Moab.victory over Moab.

The War Against MoabThe War Against Moab

• The Israelites prepare and the water comes forth as The Israelites prepare and the water comes forth as predicted. The Moabites rally their forces. When they predicted. The Moabites rally their forces. When they see all the water in the valley, it looked like blood so see all the water in the valley, it looked like blood so they believe that the three kings and their armies they believe that the three kings and their armies fought and killed each other. So they attack Israel...fought and killed each other. So they attack Israel...

• The size and force of the Israelites surprises the The size and force of the Israelites surprises the Moabites. Israel invades Moab and destroy everything.Moabites. Israel invades Moab and destroy everything.

• In an act of desperation, the king of Moab (Mesha) In an act of desperation, the king of Moab (Mesha) sacrifices his son on the city wall.sacrifices his son on the city wall.

• The Israelites are so offended by this act—they The Israelites are so offended by this act—they withdraw and go back to their own land. withdraw and go back to their own land.

The War Against MoabThe War Against Moab

• King Jehoram (Israel) and King Jehoshaphat (Judah) King Jehoram (Israel) and King Jehoshaphat (Judah) pushed things to the extreme when they attacked pushed things to the extreme when they attacked Moab. They engaged in the type of warfare forbidden Moab. They engaged in the type of warfare forbidden by God in Deuteronomy, chapters 2 and 20.by God in Deuteronomy, chapters 2 and 20.• In Deuteronomy, chapter 2, Israel is told to respect In Deuteronomy, chapter 2, Israel is told to respect the territory of Edom, Moab and Ammon because they the territory of Edom, Moab and Ammon because they were related to the Israelites. were related to the Israelites. Who were the Edomites were descendants of?Who were the Edomites were descendants of?Who were the Moabites & Ammonites descendants Who were the Moabites & Ammonites descendants of?of?• In Deuteronomy 20:19 – 20, the Israelites are told to In Deuteronomy 20:19 – 20, the Israelites are told to spare the trees of the cities they were fighting in spare the trees of the cities they were fighting in except when they needed the trees to lay siege to the except when they needed the trees to lay siege to the city. The devastation of all the trees by Israel and city. The devastation of all the trees by Israel and Judah was a violation of God’s instructions.Judah was a violation of God’s instructions.

Pushing Things Too Far…Pushing Things Too Far…

• Miracles are events—things that happen—that are Miracles are events—things that happen—that are contrary to nature. They come from God, who created the contrary to nature. They come from God, who created the laws of nature. Miracles are not works of laws of nature. Miracles are not works of providence. providence. Acts Acts of providence (sunset, birth of a child, etc.) are works of of providence (sunset, birth of a child, etc.) are works of God that are part of the natural order.God that are part of the natural order.• Miracles affirm God’s redemptive power and saving Miracles affirm God’s redemptive power and saving faithfulness. They all point ahead or point back to the faithfulness. They all point ahead or point back to the ultimate gift of God—the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ.ultimate gift of God—the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ.• Miracles in the Bible serve two functions:Miracles in the Bible serve two functions:1.1.To show that the miracle worker is sent from God,To show that the miracle worker is sent from God,2.2.To encourage the faith of those who witness them.To encourage the faith of those who witness them.•Miracles are NOT magicMiracles are NOT magic. Magic depends on the . Magic depends on the knowledge, power or skill of the performer. Miracles knowledge, power or skill of the performer. Miracles depend entirely on God. God works through a person. depend entirely on God. God works through a person.

What is a Miracle?What is a Miracle?

• The wife of a prophet cries out to Elisha because her The wife of a prophet cries out to Elisha because her husband has died and he has left debts that she husband has died and he has left debts that she cannot repay. cannot repay.

• All the widow has is a little oil. Her two boys are All the widow has is a little oil. Her two boys are about to be sold into slavery to repay the debt.about to be sold into slavery to repay the debt.

• Elisha tells her to go ask her neighbors for empty Elisha tells her to go ask her neighbors for empty jars. He tells her to take the empty jars and to pour jars. He tells her to take the empty jars and to pour the oil that she has into each one.the oil that she has into each one.• Miraculously, the widow fills all of the jars! Elisha Miraculously, the widow fills all of the jars! Elisha tells her to sell the oil and pay her debts. Elisha tells her to sell the oil and pay her debts. Elisha assures her that she and her sons will be able to assures her that she and her sons will be able to live on what’s left over.live on what’s left over.

Elisha and the WidowElisha and the Widow

• A wealthy couple in Shunem offer Elisha regular A wealthy couple in Shunem offer Elisha regular food and a room to stay in. Elisha learns from his food and a room to stay in. Elisha learns from his servant Gehazi, that the couple do not have a son.servant Gehazi, that the couple do not have a son.

• Elisha promises the woman that she will have a son Elisha promises the woman that she will have a son within a year. Sure enough, the Shunammite within a year. Sure enough, the Shunammite becomes pregnant and has a son a year later. becomes pregnant and has a son a year later.

• After a few years, her son dies unexpectedly. After a few years, her son dies unexpectedly. The woman searches and finds Elisha at Mt. Carmel.The woman searches and finds Elisha at Mt. Carmel.

• The Shunammite questions Elisha about her son’s The Shunammite questions Elisha about her son’s death. death. “Did I ask you for a son?” “Did I ask you for a son?”

“ “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”

Elisha and the ShunammiteElisha and the Shunammite

• The woman convinces Elisha to see her son. He The woman convinces Elisha to see her son. He sends Gehazi ahead to help the boy. Gehazi is told to sends Gehazi ahead to help the boy. Gehazi is told to lay Elisha’s staff on the boy’s face...nothing happens.lay Elisha’s staff on the boy’s face...nothing happens.

• Elisha and Gehazi pray over the boy and then Elisha Elisha and Gehazi pray over the boy and then Elisha brings the woman’s son back to life. Based on the brings the woman’s son back to life. Based on the description, it sounds like mouth-to-mouth description, it sounds like mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. resuscitation.

• Elisha returns the boy to his mother... Elisha returns the boy to his mother...

Elisha Brings the Elisha Brings the Shunammite’s Son Back To LifeShunammite’s Son Back To Life

• In the midst of a famine, Elisha has his servant, In the midst of a famine, Elisha has his servant, Gehazi, set out a large pot for food for some men.Gehazi, set out a large pot for food for some men.• Someone adds something funky to the stew and Someone adds something funky to the stew and the men cry out that the stew is poisonous---they the men cry out that the stew is poisonous---they cannot eat it. Elisha adds a little flour and all is well!cannot eat it. Elisha adds a little flour and all is well!• Another man from another place comes to Elisha Another man from another place comes to Elisha with 20 loaves of bread and some grain. Elisha tells with 20 loaves of bread and some grain. Elisha tells him to serve the bread but the man asks, him to serve the bread but the man asks, “How can “How can this feed 100 men?this feed 100 men?””• Elisha says God will provide enough for everyone. Elisha says God will provide enough for everyone. The bread is served and one hundred men are fed. The bread is served and one hundred men are fed. There are even leftovers!! There are even leftovers!!

Elisha, the Miracle Chef...Elisha, the Miracle Chef...

• The story of the feeding of the 100 men, starts by The story of the feeding of the 100 men, starts by telling us that “A man came from Baal Shalishah, telling us that “A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the “bread baked from the “firstfruitsfirstfruits.” .” • God required his people to give him an offering God required his people to give him an offering from what He had provided to them. This offering from what He had provided to them. This offering was to be the first and best of the harvest—or the was to be the first and best of the harvest—or the firstfruits. Sometimes the offering was honey, firstfruits. Sometimes the offering was honey, livestock, grapes or bread.livestock, grapes or bread.• Part of the firstfruits offered to God were burned Part of the firstfruits offered to God were burned as a sacrifice and the rest was given to the priests.as a sacrifice and the rest was given to the priests.Remember that the priests of Israel did not receive Remember that the priests of Israel did not receive money so they relied on the offerings of the people. money so they relied on the offerings of the people.

What Are Firstfruits?What Are Firstfruits?

• Naaman, the commander of the army of the king Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, suffers from a leprosy. An Israelite girl of Aram, suffers from a leprosy. An Israelite girl tells Naaman’s wife about Elisha. tells Naaman’s wife about Elisha.

• The king of Aram sends a letter and payment The king of Aram sends a letter and payment with Naaman. The letter demands that the king of with Naaman. The letter demands that the king of Israel cure Naaman. Israel cure Naaman. • The king of Israel freaks out because he thinks The king of Israel freaks out because he thinks the king of Aram is trying to pick a fight. Elisha the king of Aram is trying to pick a fight. Elisha tells him to calm down and summons Naaman.tells him to calm down and summons Naaman.• Elisha tells Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River Elisha tells Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River seven times in order to be cleansed of his leprosy.seven times in order to be cleansed of his leprosy.

Elisha and NaamanElisha and Naaman

• Naaman is angered by Elisha’s response. He Naaman is angered by Elisha’s response. He expected an instant cure. In his frustration, He expected an instant cure. In his frustration, He mocks Elisha’s instructions.mocks Elisha’s instructions.

• Naaman’s servants tell him to listen to Elisha. So Naaman’s servants tell him to listen to Elisha. So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times. He was healed instantly! Jordan seven times. He was healed instantly!

• In response, Naaman praises the Lord and In response, Naaman praises the Lord and promises not to worship false gods anymore. promises not to worship false gods anymore.

• Naaman also offers Elisha a gift but Elisha Naaman also offers Elisha a gift but Elisha refuses.refuses.

Naaman’s Response Naaman’s Response

• Gehazi thinks Elisha was wrong in not accepting a Gehazi thinks Elisha was wrong in not accepting a gift from Naaman. He goes after Naaman and asks gift from Naaman. He goes after Naaman and asks for money and clothes in Elisha’s name.for money and clothes in Elisha’s name.

• When Elisha questions Gehazi, Gehazi lies about When Elisha questions Gehazi, Gehazi lies about where he has been. Elisha knows the truth and where he has been. Elisha knows the truth and rebukes his servant.rebukes his servant.

• Elisha transfers Naaman’s leprosy onto Gehazi and Elisha transfers Naaman’s leprosy onto Gehazi and his descendants forever. As Gehazi leaves Elisha his his descendants forever. As Gehazi leaves Elisha his skin becomes leprous.skin becomes leprous.

Gehazi’s Deception and Punishment Gehazi’s Deception and Punishment

• A group of prophets were meeting with Elisha. It A group of prophets were meeting with Elisha. It seems they had outgrown the place where they seems they had outgrown the place where they would normally meet. would normally meet. • So, they asked Elisha if they could go to a different So, they asked Elisha if they could go to a different place. There, they would build a bigger place to live place. There, they would build a bigger place to live and meet. Elisha agrees and goes with them.and meet. Elisha agrees and goes with them.• As they went and began to cut down trees, one of As they went and began to cut down trees, one of the prophets was cutting down a tree and the head the prophets was cutting down a tree and the head came off an ax that he had borrowed. The axhead came off an ax that he had borrowed. The axhead fell into the water and sank.fell into the water and sank.• An iron ax was a rare and very expensive tool. An iron ax was a rare and very expensive tool. Using a stick, Elisha makes the iron axhead float to Using a stick, Elisha makes the iron axhead float to the surface!the surface!

Elisha and the Floating AxheadElisha and the Floating Axhead

• The king of Aram planned a sneak attack against The king of Aram planned a sneak attack against Israel. But God gave Elisha the ability to see those Israel. But God gave Elisha the ability to see those plans and he warned the king of Israel. plans and he warned the king of Israel. • Frustrated, the king of Aram sends troops to Frustrated, the king of Aram sends troops to capture Elisha but the Lord sent His army to protect capture Elisha but the Lord sent His army to protect Elisha. Elisha prayed to the Lord and the Lord Elisha. Elisha prayed to the Lord and the Lord blinded the whole army of Aram with light.blinded the whole army of Aram with light.• Blinded, the men follow Elisha to Samaria. God Blinded, the men follow Elisha to Samaria. God opens up their eyes and the king of Israel wants to opens up their eyes and the king of Israel wants to kill them. kill them. • Instead, Elisha tells the king to provide a great feast Instead, Elisha tells the king to provide a great feast for all the soldiers fed a lavish banquet and then for all the soldiers fed a lavish banquet and then send them home. After the meal, the Arameans go send them home. After the meal, the Arameans go home and stop invading Israel.home and stop invading Israel.

Elisha Ruins the Plan of the King of AramElisha Ruins the Plan of the King of Aram