ELISHA THE PROPHET

Today, Thursday, June 27, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Elisha the Prophet, whose life and works are recorded in 1 and 2 Kings. Elisha (“God is Salvation”) was a disciple of the Prophet Elijah, who at God’s command anointed Elisha, a simple farmer, to be his successor much like Jesus later did in calling his disciples in Galilee. Elisha performs miracles, healing the sick and reviving the dead, a harbinger of the Gospel miracles. His message to his followers was that they should return to traditional religious practices and acknowledge God’s sovereignty over all aspects of life. When he healed the sick, it was to demonstrate God’s power over life and death: when he helped in battle, it was to demonstrate God’s power over nations.