The Mission and Miracles of Elisha - Part Two

Extract

The Mission and Miracles of Elisha – Part Two
A. W. Pink

4. The Third Miracle
5. The Fourth Miracle
6. The Fifth Miracle
7. The Sixth Miracle

4. The Third Miracle

“And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up thou bald head, go up thou bald head. And he turned back and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood and tare forty and two children of them” (2 Kings 2:23, 24). In seeking to give an exposition of this miracle let us observe, first, its connection. It will be noted that our passage opens with the word “And” and as there is nothing meaningless in Scripture it should be duly pondered. Nor is its force difficult to perceive, for it evidently intimates that we should observe the relation between what we find here and that which immediately precedes. The context records the wonders which God wrought through Elisha at the Jordan and at Jericho. Thus the truth which is here pointed to by the conjunction is plain: when the servant has been used by his Master he must expect to encounter the opposition of the Enemy.

There is an important if unpalatable truth illustrated here, one which the minister of Christ does well to take to heart if he would be in some measure prepared for and fortified against bitter disappointment. After a season of blessing and success he must expect sore trials. After he has witnessed the power of God attending his efforts he may count upon experiencing something of the rage and power of Satan, for nothing infuriates Satan so much as beholding his victim delivered from spiritual death and …