8. Elisha: A Type of Christ.

1. Their names:

 “Elisha” and “Jesus” have nearly the same meaning. “Elisha” means, “my God is salvation.” “Jesus” is the Greek form of Joshua’s name, which means, “Jahweh is salvation.”

2. Both started their ministry at River Jordan.

2 Kings 2:13-14 “He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. Jesus started His ministry from River Jordan. Matthew 3:5, “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. Verse 16 says, “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.” John 1:28, “These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

3. Both Received the Spirit at the other side of Jordan.

The Spirit came in the form of a mantle to Elisha. 2 Kings 2:13, “He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Verse 15, “Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. Matthew 3:16, “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.”

B) Elisha was anointed. 1 Kings 19:16 “Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah, you shall anoint as prophet in your place.” Jesus was anointed. Acts 10:38 says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

4. Reversal of deaths.

Elisha raised a male child from the dead. 2 Kings 4:32-37, “When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. He went in, therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself out on the child, and the flesh of the child became warm. He returned and walked back and forth in the house and again went up and stretched himself out on him; then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite woman.” So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” So she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; then she picked up her son and went out.” Jesus also raised a young man from the dead. Luke 7:14-15, “Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So, he, who was dead, sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.”

5. Miraculous Supply Of Bread.

Elisha fed a multitude with an insufficient amount of bread and had leftovers. 2 Kings 4:42-44, “Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, “Give it to the people, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?” He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the Lord: ‘They shall eat and have some leftover.’ ” So he set it before them, and they ate and had some leftover, according to the word of the Lord. On two occasions, Jesus fed thousands with only a few loaves of bread and had leftovers. He first fed 5,000 men besides women and children with five loaves and two fish. (Matt 14:17-20). Then in Matthew 15:36-38, He fed 4,000 with seven loaves of bread. This time, they had seven large baskets full of the left fragments. That was a supernatural provision.

6). Healed Lepers.

Naaman, the leper, was cleansed after he obeyed the command of Elisha. 2 Kings 5:14, “So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” Naaman got healed because he obeyed the word of Elisha. In Luke 17:12-14, ten lepers were cleansed because of their obedience to the command of Jesus.

7). Both Healed the Blind.

2 Kings 6:20, “So it was when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!

Jesus healed the blind

a) Matthew 9:27-31. “When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith, let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.

b) Mark 8:22-26. Jesus gave sight to a blind man in Bethsaida by spitting on his eyes.

c). Matthew 12:22-23. Jesus gave sight to a demon-possessed man, blind and mute.

d). Luke 18:35-43. Jesus gave sight to a blind man while coming into Jericho.

e). John 9:1-41. Jesus gave sight to a blind man by putting clay on his eyes and then having him wash it off in the Pool of Siloam.

8. Miracle With Liquid.

Elisha turned a small amount of oil into an abundance (2 Kings 4:1-7). Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1-10).

9). Both suspended gravities.

 2 Kings 6:5-7, “But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.” So, the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So, he cut off a stick and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore, he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So, he reached out his hand and took it.” Jesus walks on water in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:16-21.