ELISHA’S MINISTRY FORESHADOWED THE MESSIAH’S
When the prophet Elisha was given an offering of bread, he instructed his servant, Gehazi, to feed the people with it. But Gehazi answered that there wasn’t enough to feed the one hundred men gathered there. But Elisha had heard from the Lord that there would not only be enough to feed everyone, but some leftover. So Elisha’s servant distributed the bread and it was just as the word of the Lord had said.
Does this story sound familiar? Surely this miraculous feeding foreshadowed the feeding of the 5,000 by Jesus (See Matt. 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15). Indeed, the ministry of Elisha as recorded in 2 Kings was a preparation for the coming Messiah, so that Israel would recognize Him when He appeared. For the Scripture recorded that Elisha raised a dead child to life, healed a leper and fed a multitude, which are all miracles that Jesus performed, yet in greater fashion.
Even Elisha’s name is similar (In Hebrew, “El” means “God” and “sha” is a shortened version of “shua,” which means “salvation.”). Compare this to the name of Jesus (In Hebrew it is “Yeshua.” The “Ye” is a shortened version of “Yahweh” or as some pronounce it “Yehovah.” This is the covenant name of the LORD God revealed to Moses, which is translated “I AM.” And “shua” means “salvation.”). Both the names Elisha and Jesus mean “God’s salvation,” however Jesus’ name uses God’s covenantal name, which makes it similar but superior. For as the apostle Peter said, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for preparing the way for Your Son, Jesus. We see the entire Old Testament and especially the ministry of Elisha as a preparation for the Messiah. Now help us to read the entire Bible through the lens of Your Son, Jesus. For He is the only One who saves and knowing Him is the only way to understand the Word of Life You have revealed to us through Your prophets and ultimately through Your Son. In His name, the wonderful name of Jesus, we pray, amen.