2 Kings 2:15-25

< Back to 2 Kings Index


TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Elisha's Early Ministry; Judgment on Some Who Mocked Him

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Salt is the solution to this world's problems.

  2. Blessing or cursing is determined by response to God's word.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let's be salt shakers, not just salt containers.

  2. Teach your child to respect the Lord's servants.

QUESTIONS

  1. Discuss "Elisha's Spring."

  2. Explain the significance of "salt" a. In ancient times b. In the same way today

  3. What does Jericho represent?

  4. What happens when there is bad water?

  5. How does the world try to solve its problems? Take, for example, the problem of Aids.

  6. How does "spiritual salt" solve problems? (Continue with the problem of Aids)

  7. What does the new bowl represent?

  8. How can Christians be salt shakers, and not just salt containers?

  9. Why would God send bears to kill little children?

  10. How is blessing or curse determined?

ANSWERS

  1. The modern city of Jericho, even to this day, receives part of its water supply from a spring known as "Elisha's Spring." There is good evidence that this is the same spring into which Elisha cast the salt.

  2. a. In ancient times, before modern refrigeration, salt was used as a preservative. It prevented the spread of decay in foods. b. In the same way, we as Christians are to prevent the spread of spiritual and moral decay in the world today. Salt is a symbol of the preserving and purifying power of truth which, as Christians, we possess in Christ.

  3. A picture of the world - a pleasant place, but with "bad water."

  4. People die, there is no life, the land is barren and unfruitful, and many more problems and complications result from bad water.

  5. The world tries everything to come up with a solution -- research, drugs, campaigns for safe sex, etc., but it refuses the true solution, the salt of biblical truth.

  6. The salt of biblical truth is that sex outside of monogamous marriages is wrong. Abstinence is biblical. Homosexuality is sin.

  7. Christians are the new bowl, containing the salt.

  8. By speaking the truth directly to the sinful heart of man.

  9. The Hebrew word used here is for teens and older. A negative response to God's word brings a curse on those who mock God.

  10. By a person's response to God's word.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Have you ever caused a delay in the ministry of the Lord by wanting to check out facts that are already obvious? (Like sending a search party for Elijah after he was taken up into heaven? Like withholding a gift for a Christian institution that is doing a good work for the Lord?)

  2. See Q/A 2b. Look up Matthew 5:13. List some of the problems in your neighborhood. As a bowl or salt shaker, how are you influencing the world in your little corner?

CHALLENGE

  1. How do you look at servants of God? What is your sphere of influence on children and youths regarding respect for the Lord's servants? Is it positive or negative? What kind of example should you be, and what kind of influence should you have, according to Scripture?

KEY VERSES

  • "...the city is pleasant, but the water is bad...Elisha went to the source of the water, and cast in the salt, and said, 'Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness." 2 Kings 2:18, 21

  • "...some youths came from the city and mocked him...he pronounced a curse on them." 2 Kings 2:23-24

2 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid2 KINGS 2:15-25