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which he established his prophetic authority – very significantly in an act of blessing.
The men of Jericho interceded with Elisha - probably through their representatives -
on behalf of their city. Every one might see how pleasant was its site: the very
Paradise of Palestine, its rich soil basking under a tropical sun, yet shaded by palm,
mulberry, and fig-trees, while the air was refreshed by perennial springs of bright
water, and perfumed by the precious balsam-plants, the scent of which the wind
would sometimes carry as far as out to sea. But all this luxuriance was marred by the
character of the water. At a distance of about a mile from the ancient site of Jericho
(not from the modern village which represents the ancient town), "there is a large and
beautiful fountain of sweet and pleasant water,"^136 the so-called Ain-es-Sultan.
From its situation this must have furnished the water-supply for ancient Jericho, and
hence have been the spring which Elisha healed, of which there is this farther
confirmation that the other springs in the neighborhood are to this day mostly
brackish. To this character of the water the inhabitants ascribed, and as it appears not
without reason, the circumstance of the frequent miscarriages which alike diminished
the population and the flocks.^137
Remembering the symbolic import of the mission of Elisha, as before explained, we
should expect the prophet to give heed to so humble a complaint - for such it was,
rather than a request. The means used were in accordance with the symbolic
character of all else. The healing of the waters, although performed through the
prophet, was the direct act of Jehovah (v. 21). Accordingly, as everything connected
with the service of the LORD, the cruse to be used must be "new" (Numbers 19:2),
dedicated to God alone. And the direct means of the "healing" was "salt," borne in
this new cruse. Salt was added to everything offered, as being the emblem of
incorruption, and hence of purification. And so they went up to the very spring of the
waters, and there, not as of himself, but in the name of the LORD, Elisha "healed"
the waters by a symbolic action, resembling that of Moses of old (Exodus 15:25).
Many lessons of deep significance are suggested by this miracle: most notably, how
the salt borne in the new cruse when applied to the spring of the waters healed them -
hence-forth, completely, and for ever; and again, how in the healing three things
were combined - the use of means (in themselves ineffectual), the word of the
prophet, and the power of Jehovah. But most of all, does it help us to realize how
God is a present help in time of trouble - if only we seek Him in the manner which
He appoints.
- Yet another attestation of Elisha's prophetic authority was needed. This time not in
blessing, but in judgment - stern,
quick, unrelenting. Those who despised his commission, or rather defied the power
that was behind it, must learn in terrible experience its reality. And that this judgment
(^)