He told them to not go because the LORD had taken Elijah to heaven. The unexpectedness of such events throws us into confusion!

Transcription

1 2 Kings 2:19-25 Introduction We have previously considered 2 Kings 2:16-18 when the sons of the prophets went looking for Elijah. He told them to not go because the LORD had taken Elijah to heaven. So it is when the LORD intervenes in the lives of men! The unexpectedness of such events throws us into confusion! So in this lesson we want to consider Elisha s first miracle. I. The Waters of Jericho Purified. 19 The men of the city said to Elisha, Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive. 20 Bring me a new bowl, he said, and put salt in it. So they brought it to him. (2 Kings 2:19-20)

2 2 21 Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, This is what the LORD says: I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive. 22 And the water has remained wholesome to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. (2 Kings 2:21-22) 1. This passage illustrates spiritual truth found elsewhere in the Scriptures. 2. The key to understanding its application for us today is to recognize the symbolism. 3. There are 3 symbols we must consider: a) The city is Jericho. b) The bad water. c) The jar of salt. B.Historical Background. 1. The city of Jericho was controlled by Israel and was home to one of the schools of the Prophets. 2. But the water of the city was bad and caused unfruitfulness in the land.

3 3 3. At first glance, things looked prosperous in the city. 4. In other words, all the so-called natural advantages are present. Apparently the situation of this city is pleasant BUT unfruitfulness plagues the residents of Jericho. a. There were beautiful buildings, trees, gardens, and much activity but no actual fruitfulness. b. Things grew, but before they produced fruit, the fruit would drop off or the plants would wither. c. Who would provide hope? Who would change the situation non-naturally? Certainly they have tried horticulture and every trick known in agronomy. d. Enter stage right Elisha.

4 4 5. The men recognized the authenticity of Elisha as a prophet of God. a. They came to Elisha and requested help for their problem. b. Elisha then requested a new jar filled with salt, and casts it into the spring. 6. By a miracle of God the water was purified with permanent results. b. The spring to this day is okay. c. Notice Elisha is careful to give God the credit. d. It wasn t Elisha and it wasn t the salt it was God. e. Elisha was only a representative agent of God and the salt a symbol. C.The Symbols Used.

5 5 Now let s look at the symbols used to teach an eternal truth. 1. The City a. Jericho had originally stood as a fortified city against the occupation of the land of Canaan by the people of God. b. The destruction of Jericho stood as a kind of first-fruits of promise for the occupation of the rest of the land. c. According to Joshua 6:26, the city was cursed. 26 At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates. (Joshua 6:26) d. Jericho portrays the world, which is under the curse of God.

6 6 e. This is a curse, which only God can lift. f. That s why this symbol is so significant. g. This world may at first look good or pleasant, but in reality it is barren and and empty. h. Only God can remove the curse of sin and its destructiveness in our lives. 2. The Bad Water a. Water is often used as a symbol of the Word of God, the Holy Spirit of God, and the cleansing that comes from both. b. Water which is bad naturally portrays the opposite. (1) It s that which defiles and wreaks havoc in the human psyche.

7 7 (2) The natural man says it s normal but it brings death. (3) To the spiritual man it s a red flag of warning. c. In this world the bad water takes the place of God s Word: so we have humanism, and man s philosophies and doctrines. d. In place of the Holy Spirit, there are evil spirits who promote these doctrines. e. In place of cleansing, refreshment, and life there is pollution, weariness and death. f. Therefore, Elisha teaches us to beware of bad water. 3. The Jar of Salt a. As believers, we are vessels. b. We contain the treasure of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

8 8 6 For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this allsurpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Cor 4:6-7) c. Elisha requested not just a jar, but a new jar. (1) In 2 Cor 5:17, Paul wrote, 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor 5:17) (2) In Matt 9:17 Jesus says, 17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved. (Matt 9:17) d. So this jar was to be new, and it was to be filled with salt. e. That explains why the gospel is not an add-on. f. Rather a person dies to him or herself (at baptism) to be made new in the image of God.

9 9 Conclusion (3) In Matt 5:13, Jesus said that we were to be the salt of the earth. A. This speaks of our influence upon the world. 2. Salt has several characteristics. a) It is white, enhances flavor and preserves. b) Based on the context in Matthew 9, Jesus is probably referring to salt s ability to enhance flavor. (1) Salt has the ability to give flavor to that which is otherwise bland. (2) Job mentioned this ability in Job 6:6. 6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg? (Job 6:6) B. Through the metaphor of salt...

10 10 1. Jesus depicts the relationship of Christians to the world as one of: (a) (b) (c) Making the world palatable to God, and possibly to others as well. Perhaps making it possible for God to continue to bear with this world and its distasteful wickedness. Also the idea that the righteous few can make it easier for God to bear with the wicked is illustrated: (1) In Abraham s conversation with God over Sodom (Genesis 18:20-32). (2) In God s dealing with Jerusalem (Jeremiah 5:1). (3) So from God s point of Christians give the world what good flavor it has. God can use us, if we are usable, to have a lasting influence on the sin-cursed world around us.

11 11 We can make a difference in the lives of others. We must be willing to be vessels in the service of our Lord. Invitation