Elisha the Prophet

Elisha was a prophet in the Old Testament. He lived in the northern kingdom of Israel about 800 years before Jesus. He was chosen by God to speak to the people and lead them back to the truth. Elisha followed the prophet Elijah and took his place when Elijah was taken up to heaven.

Elisha’s story is found in the Second Book of Kings. He is known for doing many miracles. Some of them are small and helpful. Others are big and amazing. His life shows God’s care for people, even during hard times.

Elisha worked during a time when many people were turning away from God. Kings and leaders worshiped false gods. Many people did not follow God’s laws. Elisha was not afraid. He spoke the truth, even when it was hard.

He helped the poor and healed the sick. He gave hope to widows and fed the hungry. He reminded the people that God had not left them. God was still watching over them and helping them through His prophet.

Even today, many people know the name Elisha. He was faithful and strong. He showed what it means to trust God. His story is important for both Jews and Christians.

Elisha was chosen by God through the prophet Elijah. One day, Elijah found Elisha working in a field. Elisha was plowing with oxen. Elijah walked by and threw his cloak over Elisha. This was a sign that Elisha would take his place.

Elisha left everything. He said goodbye to his family. He burned his plow and cooked his oxen. Then he followed Elijah. This showed that he was ready to serve God and would not turn back.

Elijah trained Elisha. They traveled together. Elisha watched and listened. He saw how Elijah spoke to kings, called people to repent, and trusted God. He learned what it meant to be a prophet.

Before Elijah was taken up to heaven, he asked Elisha what he wanted. Elisha asked for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit. This meant he wanted to carry on Elijah’s mission with strength and faith.

As Elijah was taken up in a chariot of fire, his cloak fell to the ground. Elisha picked it up. He struck the river with it, and the water parted. This showed that the spirit of Elijah was now with Elisha.

The people watching said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” God had chosen Elisha to be His prophet. The work would be hard, but God would be with him.

Elisha did many miracles. Some helped just one person. Others helped a whole city. All showed that God was near and cared about people’s lives.

One day, a poor widow came to Elisha. She had no money and was about to lose her sons. Elisha told her to collect jars. Then he told her to pour the little oil she had into the jars. The oil kept flowing until every jar was full. She sold the oil and saved her sons.

Another time, a woman in Shunem gave Elisha food and a place to stay. Later, her son died. She ran to Elisha. He came and prayed. The boy came back to life. This showed that God brings life, even in the darkest times.

Elisha also helped heal a man named Naaman. Naaman was a commander from another country. He had leprosy. Elisha told him to wash in the Jordan River. At first, Naaman was angry. But he did it, and he was healed. He came to believe in the God of Israel.

Elisha also helped during a famine. He made a pot of stew safe to eat. He fed one hundred men with just a little bread and grain. These stories show God’s care for the hungry and sick.

Elisha’s miracles were not just for show. They helped real people. They gave hope. They reminded people that God was still working, even when times were hard.

Elisha lived in a time when Israel was not faithful to God. Many kings were wicked. They followed false gods like Baal. They led the people away from the truth. Elisha stood up against this, even when it was dangerous.

He often spoke to kings. He told them when they were wrong. He warned them of what would happen if they did not change. Some listened. Others did not. Elisha was brave and did not back down.

He once helped the king of Israel win a battle by telling him where the enemy would attack. But he also told that same king to stop worshiping idols. Elisha was not on anyone’s side. He was on God’s side.

Elisha’s words were not always easy to hear. Once, some boys made fun of him. They called him “baldhead.” He warned them to stop mocking God’s prophet. Two bears came out of the woods and attacked them. This strange story shows how serious his role was.

Even near the end of his life, kings came to him for help. When he was dying, the king of Israel wept. Elisha told him how to defeat his enemies. He gave him a sign with arrows. Elisha was faithful to the end.

Elisha never stopped doing God’s work. He spoke the truth with courage. He helped the people turn back to God. He showed that being a prophet meant standing firm, no matter what others said.

Christians believe that Elisha’s life points forward to Jesus. Some of Elisha’s miracles are like Jesus’ miracles. Elisha fed the hungry, healed the sick, and raised the dead. Jesus did these things too, but in a fuller way.

The story of Naaman the leper is like baptism. Naaman washed in the Jordan River and was made clean. In the same river, Jesus was baptized. In baptism, we are made new and washed clean from sin.

Elisha’s life was not about himself. It was about God’s work in the world. He listened, obeyed, and trusted. This is the path of all believers. Jesus calls us to follow this same path, to listen and obey.

Some Church Fathers saw Elisha as a sign of hope. He did not just speak about God’s power. He showed it in actions. He helped people in need. He reminded them that God had not forgotten them.

Elisha also shows us what it means to be a disciple. He left everything when Elijah called him. He followed without knowing what would happen next. This is what Jesus asks of His followers too.

Elisha’s story teaches us to trust God in every season. Whether in joy, sorrow, health, or pain, God is near. Like Elisha, we are called to serve, speak the truth, and bring hope to others.

Elisha is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church. His feast day is June 14 in the Roman Martyrology. This means the Church remembers him and gives thanks for his life.

He is not just a figure from the past. He is part of the Church’s memory. We look to him as someone who followed God with courage. His story still speaks to us today.

Elisha reminds us that miracles are not just about wonder. They are signs of God’s care. God sees the poor, the sick, the forgotten. He lifts them up. He uses people like Elisha to do His work.

His boldness gives us strength. He did not stay silent when others turned from God. He spoke up. He trusted that God would protect him, even when things were hard.

Elisha is also a reminder that holiness is not always quiet or gentle. Sometimes, it means speaking hard truths. Sometimes, it means standing alone. But it always means trusting God.

When we celebrate Elisha, we remember that God still calls people today. We remember that God still works through simple acts, kind words, and strong faith. Like Elisha, we are called to live with trust and courage.

Elisha was a prophet in the Old Testament. He followed Elijah, who went to heaven in a fiery chariot. Hard act to follow!

He got Elijah’s cloak when Elijah went up to heaven. Instant prophet upgrade. It was like getting the prophet starter kit.

He asked for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit. That means he wanted double the prophetic power. Go big or go home!

Right after that, he hit a river with Elijah’s cloak—and the water split. Ta-da! First miracle, done.

He helped a poor widow by filling tons of jars with oil. Her kitchen probably looked like an ancient oil store.

He once brought a dead boy back to life by laying on him. Like a holy CPR moment. And it worked!

He made poisoned stew safe to eat. Just tossed in some flour. Boom—prophet chef saves dinner.

He multiplied bread to feed a crowd. Long before Jesus did it. Elisha was ahead of the game.

He told a general named Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times to get rid of leprosy. Naaman rolled his eyes—but it worked.

Naaman offered him money. Elisha said, “Nope.” But Elisha’s servant secretly took the money and got leprosy. Moral: don’t sneak gold from holy people.

One time, Elisha made an ax head float. Yes, float. The iron ax head dropped into a river, and Elisha made it bob up like a rubber duck.

Elisha gave prophecies to kings. He had zero fear. “You want the truth? Here it is!”

He could hear what enemy kings said in their tents—without being there. It was like ancient holy spying.

One time, an enemy army came to arrest him. He calmly prayed, and suddenly that whole army went blind. Surprise!

Then he led them into town, gave them food, and let them go. Prophet with style and mercy.

He was bald. Once, a group of boys made fun of him for it. Bad move. He called down a curse, and two bears came out and chased them. Don’t tease bald prophets.

He kept doing miracles right up until he died. Even after he died—one man was thrown into Elisha’s tomb, touched his bones, and came back to life. His bones worked miracles!

His symbol is Elijah’s cloak, since that’s what started his mission, and maybe a jar of oil or an ax head—because why not?

He’s a great one to call on when you need bold faith, or maybe a miracle… or help finding a lost tool.