A DEAD MAN WITH INFLUENCE -- Monday:
"And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet." (2 Kings 13:21)
Occasionally, remarkable incidents are mentioned in Scripture with very little explanation or extended comment. This particular text is one of them. The Spirit testifies that the mighty prophet Elisha had just died–a remarkable occurrence of itself. Although he had a double portion of Elijah's spirit, with twice the number of miracles recorded as those of Elijah (12 to 6), yet he died while Elijah did not (2 Kgs 2:1-2). Something of the manner of kingdom of God may be seen in that circumstance, for those wishing to pursue it. We are told that Elisha became "sick with the illness of which he would die" (2 Kgs 13:14)–a devastating fact to those who claim sickness is a sign of unbelief. At any rate, Elisha became sick, eventually died, and, unlike Elijah, "they buried him" (v 20).
The following year, in the Spring, "raiding bands from Moab invaded the land." During one of the raids, some men were burying "a man," we know not who. During the process of the burial these men "saw a band of raiders." They hastily put the body in the sepulcher, or tomb, in which Elisha was buried. A sepulcher, or tomb, is much like a vault. As the body was lowered into this vault, the Scriptures say it "touched the bones of Elisha." As soon as that occurred, the dead man "revived, and stood up on his feet." This is all we know of this remarkable incident. It is no doubt recorded to speak to the hearts of those living "by every word of God" (Lk 4:4). The absence of any elaboration instructs us to avoid carnal curiosity, and things that do not make for edification.
The thought of "the bones of Elijah" having influence is arresting. It is a fitting demonstration of the principle declared in connection with in Abel: "he being dead yet speaketh" (Heb 11:4). In this incident, it is confirmed that Elisha did not work miracles in his own energy, but by the power of God. Also, in this occurrence, God honored the prophet by granting a benefit to someone through his bones. It is better, so to speak, to touch the bones of a departed righteous person, than to sit with an earthly king!
Although Elisha had died, in another sense, he was not dead. He lived on in another realm, for God "is not the God of the dead" (Matt 22:32). He does not give honor and power to the dead, but to the living. It was not the "bones" that brought such honor from God, but the person once residing in their frame.
There are countless examples of godly men and women who continue to exert lively influence, even though they have departed the realm we now occupy. Moses, the Prophets, John the Baptist, and the Apostles, are cases in point. Throughout history, there has been a trail of holy personalities who still have power in their "bones." It only takes a touch of their literary remains to confirm this to be the case. How often I have been refreshed by the expressions of those who have completed their course, but left behind something tangible that can be touched. It appears to me that it is a noble intention to leave something of profit behind–some "bones," so to speak, that can have a godly affect upon those who touch them. Your words, deeds, and writings can have that kind of power. Believe it!
PRAYER POINT: Father, if I depart from this life before the coming of the Lord Jesus, grant me grace through Him to leave something behind that will bring real benefit to those who remain.