2 Kings 13:10-25
Elisha, whose name means "my God is salvation", remains as the prophet of grace right up to the end of his long ministry. Here he announces deliverance to Jehoash, the new king of Israel, who is visiting him. Where shall we find grace and salvation today, if not with the Christ who died for us?
Jehoash, unfortunately, is not in a state to profit by all the grace offered to him. He lacks faith. Are we not often like him? God has rich blessings in reserve. He is ready to give them to us. But we ask for them from Him timidly, as if He were poor, or as if it were not His desire to pour them out on us. That is a very imperfect knowledge of our Father. The limitations never come from Him, but from our lack of faith. "Ye have not because ye ask not" (James 4:2).
Elisha dies. But that very death becomes a source of life for others. Thus even in the tomb this remarkable prophet is also a type of Christ (see Matthew 27:52).
The end of the chapter shows us that the LORD, compelled to chastise His people, is at the same time moved with compassion towards them (see Hebrews 12:6).