Listening to the song “Rattle” by Brandon lake, I was reminded of our powerful 2020 hindsight following the cross and the finished work of Jesus that makes the dead come alive … just by touching …
The Story of the dead bones
The account in 2 Kings 13:20-21 is a curious one, often overlooked in the grand narrative of the Bible. It tells of a dead man, hastily thrown into Elisha's tomb, who, upon contact with the prophet's bones, is miraculously revived. “So Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they saw a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.” (2 Kings 13:20-21, KJV).
At first glance, this story might seem like a strange, almost macabre miracle, a testament to the lingering power of a prophet even in death. But through the lens of grace, and by delving into the original languages, we can see a profound foreshadowing of the finished work of Christ and the life we receive through Him.
The Power of Death Overcome
The dead man in the story represents humanity under the curse of sin, separated from God, and spiritually dead. The Hebrew word for “dead” here is muth (מות), which carries the meaning of death, to die, to be killed. It speaks of the finality of physical death, but also, in a broader sense, of the state of being cut off. Before Christ, humanity was muth – separated from God, unable to bridge the gap created by sin. Romans 5:12 tells us, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
Elisha, on the other hand, was a prophet of God, a vessel of His power. Even in death, his bones retained a life-giving force. This is not to glorify Elisha himself, but to point to the source of that power – God. Elisha was a type, a symbol, pointing forward to the ultimate source of life, Yah’shua (Jesus).
The Hebrew word for “touch” is nāḡaʿ or נָגַע, conveying the beautiful word picture “Life lifting up from beholding”
The Greek word for “revived” in the New Testament, often used to describe Christ's resurrection and our subsequent spiritual life, is zaó (ζάω). This word speaks of living, being alive, and having true life. When the dead man touched Elisha's bones, he zaó – he came to life. This is not simply a resuscitation, but a provision of new life, His Life!
Elisha as a Type of Jesus
Elisha (Yah is Salvation), in his role as a prophet, foreshadows several aspects of Jesus Christ:
The meaning of his name is mind-blowing, and undeniably so a foreshadow of Yah’shua Himself.
He was a Vessel of God's Power: Elisha performed many miracles, demonstrating the power of God working through him. This mirrors Jesus, who, as the Son of God, displayed divine power in His miracles, healings, and raising of the dead (e.g., John 11:43-44, the raising of Lazarus).
Anointed by God: Elisha was the successor to Elijah, receiving a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:9-14). This anointing symbolized God's special favor and empowerment, prefiguring Jesus' anointing by the Holy Spirit (e.g., Matthew 3:16-17).
Rejected and Persecuted: Though a prophet of God, Elisha faced opposition and rejection (e.g., 2 Kings 6:31). This foreshadows Jesus' rejection by His own people and His suffering at the hands of those He came to save (e.g., Isaiah 53:3).
His Death Leading to Life: Even in death, Elisha's bones brought life. This points to the ultimate paradox of the cross: Jesus' death, though seemingly a defeat, became the ultimate victory and the means of salvation and life for all who believe.
Elisha's Bones: A Type of Christ's Finished Work
Elisha's bones, lifeless in themselves, became the conduit for life. This is a powerful image of Christ's finished work on the cross. Jesus, though fully God, took on human flesh and experienced death. His death, seemingly the ultimate defeat, became the very means of our salvation and victory for all mankind.
Just as the dead man found life in touching (nāḡaʿ) what was left behind by Elisha, we find life in touching the finished work of Christ. The apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:13-14, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."
The "handwriting of requirements" represents the law, which condemned us to death. But Christ, on the cross, took upon Himself the full judgement of sin, thereby making the law obsolete, satisfying the demands of the law and removing its power over us. This is the finished work – the complete, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice that secured our salvation.
Salvation and Everlasting Life: A Gift of Grace
The dead man did nothing to earn his revival. He was simply thrown into the tomb and touched. His life was not a reward for good works, but a gift. This is the essence of grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
The Story of the dead bones
The account in 2 Kings 13:20-21 is a curious one, often overlooked in the grand narrative of the Bible. It tells of a dead man, hastily thrown into Elisha's tomb, who, upon contact with the prophet's bones, is miraculously revived. “So Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they saw a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.” (2 Kings 13:20-21, KJV).
At first glance, this story might seem like a strange, almost macabre miracle, a testament to the lingering power of a prophet even in death. But through the lens of grace, and by delving into the original languages, we can see a profound foreshadowing of the finished work of Christ and the life we receive through Him.
The Power of Death Overcome
The dead man in the story represents humanity under the curse of sin, separated from God, and spiritually dead. The Hebrew word for “dead” here is muth (מות), which carries the meaning of death, to die, to be killed. It speaks of the finality of physical death, but also, in a broader sense, of the state of being cut off. Before Christ, humanity was muth – separated from God, unable to bridge the gap created by sin. Romans 5:12 tells us, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
Elisha, on the other hand, was a prophet of God, a vessel of His power. Even in death, his bones retained a life-giving force. This is not to glorify Elisha himself, but to point to the source of that power – God. Elisha was a type, a symbol, pointing forward to the ultimate source of life, Yah’shua (Jesus).
The Hebrew word for “touch” is nāḡaʿ or נָגַע, conveying the beautiful word picture “Life lifting up from beholding”
The Greek word for “revived” in the New Testament, often used to describe Christ's resurrection and our subsequent spiritual life, is zaó (ζάω). This word speaks of living, being alive, and having true life. When the dead man touched Elisha's bones, he zaó – he came to life. This is not simply a resuscitation, but a provision of new life, His Life!
Elisha as a Type of Jesus
Elisha (Yah is Salvation), in his role as a prophet, foreshadows several aspects of Jesus Christ:
The meaning of his name is mind-blowing, and undeniably so a foreshadow of Yah’shua Himself.
He was a Vessel of God's Power: Elisha performed many miracles, demonstrating the power of God working through him. This mirrors Jesus, who, as the Son of God, displayed divine power in His miracles, healings, and raising of the dead (e.g., John 11:43-44, the raising of Lazarus).
Anointed by God: Elisha was the successor to Elijah, receiving a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:9-14). This anointing symbolized God's special favor and empowerment, prefiguring Jesus' anointing by the Holy Spirit (e.g., Matthew 3:16-17).
Rejected and Persecuted: Though a prophet of God, Elisha faced opposition and rejection (e.g., 2 Kings 6:31). This foreshadows Jesus' rejection by His own people and His suffering at the hands of those He came to save (e.g., Isaiah 53:3).
His Death Leading to Life: Even in death, Elisha's bones brought life. This points to the ultimate paradox of the cross: Jesus' death, though seemingly a defeat, became the ultimate victory and the means of salvation and life for all who believe.
Elisha's Bones: A Type of Christ's Finished Work
Elisha's bones, lifeless in themselves, became the conduit for life. This is a powerful image of Christ's finished work on the cross. Jesus, though fully God, took on human flesh and experienced death. His death, seemingly the ultimate defeat, became the very means of our salvation and victory for all mankind.
Just as the dead man found life in touching (nāḡaʿ) what was left behind by Elisha, we find life in touching the finished work of Christ. The apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:13-14, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."
The "handwriting of requirements" represents the law, which condemned us to death. But Christ, on the cross, took upon Himself the full judgement of sin, thereby making the law obsolete, satisfying the demands of the law and removing its power over us. This is the finished work – the complete, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice that secured our salvation.
Salvation and Everlasting Life: A Gift of Grace
The dead man did nothing to earn his revival. He was simply thrown into the tomb and touched. His life was not a reward for good works, but a gift. This is the essence of grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
The text telling the story of the man who touched the bones of Elisha says that the man revived. But the Hebrew word goes deeper. The word used for "revived" is actually "ḥāyâ" or "חָיָה", directly translated as "Life". They are the same letters used in the unpronounceable name of God, YHVH (יהוה).
The dead man's encounter with Elisha's bones is a picture of our encounter with Christ (Who is the Way, the Truth and Life). We were dead in our sins, unable to save ourselves. But as we, by faith, touch (behold) the finished work of Christ – His death, burial, and resurrection – we are made alive. We are given zoe, true life, not just a temporary reprieve, but everlasting life. John 3:16 proclaims, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
The miracle at Elisha's tomb was a signpost, pointing to the greater miracle that was to come. It was a glimpse of the power of God to raise the dead, a power that would be fully revealed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And it is in that resurrection, in that finished work, that we find our salvation, our zoe, our everlasting life. We, like the dead man, are given a new beginning, not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us. It is a gift of pure, unadulterated grace.
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