2Ki 2:4 | KingComments | STEP | Also in Bethel, Elisha is tested to stay there. But he went along to Jericho, the third place. When they arrived at Jericho, Elisha should have seen ruins, for that is the judgment God pronounced on that city. However, Jericho was rebuilt against God’s command, and by someone from Bethel, no less ( ). The power of the world, of which Jericho is a picture, still has great attraction for those who do not see the world as God sees it. The eyes must be open for it, because it seems as if Jericho was a flourishing city. In the same way, Christianity, i.e. the professing church, seems to be a flourishing city, but faith sees that this is only a pretense. The power of godliness is denied there ( ). There was also a school of prophets in Jericho, with students who had a certain knowledge of future events. They also thought they should inform Elisha about this. But that was all they proffered. They didn’t go with Elisha. The truth they knew had no effect on them. They thought they were telling something Elisha didn’t know yet. However, these truths are not primarily taught at theological colleges or bible schools, but by the Spirit of God. Pupil-prophets are at a distance. They are not idolaters, yet they do not know the true intentions of God.

‏ 2 Kings 2:4

The Lesson of Jericho

Also in Bethel, Elisha is tested to stay there. But he went along to Jericho, the third place. When they arrived at Jericho, Elisha should have seen ruins, for that is the judgment God pronounced on that city. However, Jericho was rebuilt against God’s command, and by someone from Bethel, no less (1Kgs 16:34). The power of the world, of which Jericho is a picture, still has great attraction for those who do not see the world as God sees it. The eyes must be open for it, because it seems as if Jericho was a flourishing city. In the same way, Christianity, i.e. the professing church, seems to be a flourishing city, but faith sees that this is only a pretense. The power of godliness is denied there (2Tim 3:5a).

There was also a school of prophets in Jericho, with students who had a certain knowledge of future events. They also thought they should inform Elisha about this. But that was all they proffered. They didn’t go with Elisha. The truth they knew had no effect on them.

They thought they were telling something Elisha didn’t know yet. However, these truths are not primarily taught at theological colleges or bible schools, but by the Spirit of God. Pupil-prophets are at a distance. They are not idolaters, yet they do not know the true intentions of God.