Elisha

June 14–Elisha

From the LCMS website:

Elisha, son of Shaphat of the tribe of Issachar, was the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C. Upon seeing his mentor Elijah taken up into heaven, Elisha assumed the prophetic office and took up the mantle of his predecessor. Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, such as curing the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-27) and restoring life to the son of a Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8-37). A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means “my God is salvation.”

The Jesse Tree–Day Sixteen

Today began our series of readings focused on the prophets. We started with Elijah, and the story of him being taken to Heaven in a chariot of fire, (thus the ornament of what Ladybug deemed a “carriage.”), and transitioned into Elisha, who was given a portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:1-14). I was always confused by these two prophets as a child–isn’t it funny how similar their names are, and how they came one right after the other in the Bible? So far my children seem to be smarter than I am, however, and knew as soon as they saw the chariot who the story would be about!