The prophet Elisha, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is renowned for the miracles he performed through the power of God. One of the notable miracles attributed to Elisha is the healing of the waters of Jericho, an event that underscores God's provision and the authority bestowed upon His prophets.

Context and Background

The account of Elisha healing the waters is found in 2 Kings 2:19-22. This event occurs shortly after Elisha succeeds Elijah as the leading prophet in Israel. Having witnessed Elijah's ascension into heaven and received a double portion of Elijah's spirit, Elisha embarks on his prophetic ministry, demonstrating God's power and presence among His people.

The Problem of the Waters

The men of Jericho approached Elisha with a pressing concern: "Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful" (2 Kings 2:19). Despite the city's favorable location, the contaminated water rendered the land barren, posing a significant threat to the inhabitants' livelihood and well-being.

The Miracle

In response to the plea of the men of Jericho, Elisha instructed them to bring him a new bowl with salt. He then went to the spring of water and cast the salt into it, declaring, "This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will there be death or unfruitfulness’" (2 Kings 2:21). The waters were healed, and the land became fruitful, demonstrating God's power to restore and bless.

Significance

The healing of the waters at Jericho is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it affirms Elisha's role as a true prophet of God, endowed with divine authority to perform miracles. Secondly, the use of salt, a common preservative and purifying agent, symbolizes the purifying power of God. The miracle serves as a testament to God's ability to transform and renew, turning barrenness into fruitfulness.

Furthermore, this event highlights the importance of faith and obedience. The men of Jericho sought Elisha's help, demonstrating their belief in God's power working through His prophet. Elisha's actions, guided by divine instruction, resulted in a miraculous transformation, emphasizing the necessity of following God's commands.

Theological Implications

The healing of the waters by Elisha reflects God's ongoing care and provision for His people. It illustrates the principle that God can bring life and restoration to situations of desolation and despair. This miracle also prefigures the ultimate healing and restoration brought about through Jesus Christ, who offers living water to all who believe in Him (John 4:10-14).

In summary, the miracle of the healed waters at Jericho is a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and the authority He grants to His servants. It serves as a reminder of God's ability to bring about physical and spiritual renewal, offering hope and assurance to those who trust in Him.2 Kings 2:21,22
And he went forth to the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus said the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from there any more death or barren land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Gentleness Succeeding Strength
... from remembering the divine wonders through His servants ... The miracle was wrought
partly for Elisha, and partly for ... His miracles are mostly works of mercy and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gentleness succeeding strength.htm

Naaman
... of her master; and, remembering the wonderful miracles of healing wrought through
Elisha, she said ... But it was only through following the specific directions ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 20 naaman.htm

Christ Teaching by Miracles
... thirty and forty of the mighty works wrought by our ... to the haven where they would
be." Other miracles might be ... passing, threw a dead raven in through the window ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by miracles.htm

Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning
... He wrought among them works which none other man did ... the wonder, that though he did
so many miracles before them ... the Spirit of God may speak with power through me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/israel and britain a note.htm

The Life of S. Hilarion.
... Once more he prepared for flight, and in thought ranged through solitary lands,
grieving that ... And yet in both places great miracles are wrought daily, but ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of s hilarion.htm

Jesus at the Well of Sychar
... of which she was capable, the Saviour now asked for her husband, in order that,
through the introduction of ... Apparently no miracles were wrought, but those ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii jesus at the.htm

Three Homilies. On Our Lord.
... that they might fear; and blessed miracles surrounded in ... He not have convinced him
also through the greatness ... For when pride had wrought divisions amongst the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/three homilies on our lord.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... lose not those things which we have wrought, but that ... through the lust of the flesh,
through much wantonness ... the earth by the means of those miracles which he ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... only despised his person, doctrine, and miracles, but that a ... to work upon, as will,
if wrought up to ... shines, when it worketh towards Christ, through the sides ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... not only despised his person, doctrine, and miracles, but that ... to work upon, as will,
if wrought up to ... shines, when it worketh towards Christ, through the sides ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

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