Many of the miracles that Jesus performed were directly motivated by being moved with compassion (see Mat 9:36, 14:14, John 11:35). And it is also true that as Elisha was moved to compassion, miracles followed.

In the first part of this passage we can see Elisha must have had a great following, perhaps likened to a prophetic training centre. But the accommodations had become too small. So, the sons of the prophets ask Elisha if they could build additional dwellings close to the Jordan. Elisha agrees and goes with them. Maybe he is helping in the building work or just wants to reassure them that they have his support. This reminds me of when Jesus was teaching his disciples about who shall be the greatest, he says in Mat 20:28 “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve”. This same servant-heart can be seen in Elisha as he is helping these young prophets. So, when one of them drops a borrowed axe head into the water, Elisha is moved with compassion. We read that “He cut off a stick and threw it in there; and he made the iron float” (v. 6). Oh, the power of Love to make iron float, to lift the weary soul, and to even move mountains hindering salvation.

In the next section, the king of Syria was making war against Israel. But being a man of God, Elisha was able to send warning to the king of Israel as to the strategies of the enemy. So, when the king of Syria was told about these things, he was greatly troubled. ‘Therefore, he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city’ (v. 14). And when Elisha’s servant saw this, he was afraid. Elisha did not react to the fear, but rather, he was moved by such compassion for his servant.

The greatest kindness we can do for those who are fearful is to pray for them. In the dark we are most apt to be frightened. The clearer sight we have of the sovereignty and power of heaven the less we shall fear the calamities of this earth. And so, the miracles follow. Elisha’s servant sees the heavenly help at hand. Elisha prays for the enemy to be struck with blindness, so to lead them straight into the hands of Israel’s army. The compassion does not end but extended to feeding the enemy! And the miracle, “The bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel” (v. 23).

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Father God, please fill me with Your compassion, even to see Your Love working miracles for all those around me. Amen.