The Prophet ElishaShembull

Healthy Water

“This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water.”’ [...] And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. (2 Kings 2:21-22)

Not only did the company of prophets accept Elisha as the new “man of God” but the people of Jericho did so as well, and they therefore turned to Elisha for help. The water from the city’s spring was “bad”, making the land unproductive. This was a serious problem which the people could not solve on their own. Therefore, they told Elisha about the situation, in the expectation that he could do a miracle. And so, he did. He asked for a new bowl with salt and threw it into the water. But it was not this “trick” that healed the water; it was the Lord God. The salt was just a symbol.

Centuries earlier, during Israel’s journey through the wilderness, God had made bitter water good to drink (see Exodus 15:24-25). Centuries later, Jesus Christ invited people: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38).

Healthy water is essential for us humans to survive. Living water is essential to inherit eternal life.

What are you thirsting for? Has your thirst been satisfied by Jesus?