Elijah has served God well during difficult days, but now the time had come to pass the prophetic mantle to his successor. There is a time when leadership must be passed on to the next generation. We see this in our society with politicians, football coaches, and spiritual leaders. The next generation of leadership is coming along behind us. We can either be helpful to facilitate a smooth transition or we can be a stumbling block trying to stop the inevitable. It is up to God’s people to put aside pride and seek His wisdom so we may follow His timetable. This week we will hopefully identify some helpful principles to identify new leaders and work together to mentor the next generation of leadership.
Verses 19-21 - Recall from last week that Elijah was instructed by God to leave the cave and go to anoint three men – Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha. Elisha was part of stamping out the remainder of those who during Ahab’s reign had followed the false god, Baal. We see in verse 19 that Elijah approaches Elisha as he is working the field to the rear of twelve teams of oxen. Though Elisha came from a family of means he was still willing to take part in the hard labor of the family business. Elisha demonstrates a quality of leadership in that he is working alongside his laborers. Without a word Elijah places his cloak over the shoulders of Elisha signifying his successor had been chosen. While it appears, Elisha understood and accepted his call, he had one request to go back and say goodbye to his parents. Elijah gives permission to go back, but before Elisha goes Elijah asks a question: “What have I done to you?” Elijah needs Elisha to clarify that this calling comes from God and that he understood the consequences of his choice. In an act that is both symbolic and practical Elisha goes home where he sacrifices the plowing oxen and burns the plows. Elisha will not turn back or away from God’s call. He is never returning to his old way of life again. The oxen and plows are no more. Jesus said something like this in Luke 9:62. There Jesus says that no one who puts their hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for service to the kingdom.
II Kings 2:6-11 – By this time, the Lord had made clear that Elijah’s time on earth was short. Elisha would not leave the presence of his mentor. Elisha was loyal and wanted to spend as much time as possible with Elijah. Each time Elijah told Elisha to stay back while he went on ahead Elisha answered: “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” The next few verses paint the vivid scene of the events leading to Elijah’s ascension into heaven. Elijah and Elisha separated themselves from the company of prophets about 50 in all. They stood by the bank of the Jordan River and Elijah takes off his mantle and strikes the water causing the waters to part. They cross the river together on dry ground and here Elisha asks for a double portion of his spirit. Soon after a horse drawn chariot of fire comes and Elijah is taken up into heaven in a whirlwind. Regarding Elisha’s request, this follows the OT precedent set out in Deuteronomy 21:17. Elisha was not asking to be greater than Elijah, but the firstborn son was customarily given twice as much as the younger sons when the family passed down property. Elisha is accepting the responsibility of his new and demanding role as the one who will inherit the prophetic office Elijah had filled so faithfully. He was asking to be considered as the firstborn son of the prophet.
Verses 12-14 – Elisha served Elijah for as many as six years before Elijah’s departure. Their relationship was much like father and son. In the New Testament we see this kind of relationship between Paul and Timothy. Paul makes it clear that the mature in faith are to teach and entrust others to lead those who are to come. Elisha was grieved to lose his father figure and mentor to the point of tearing his clothes. This was a common biblical custom signifying great sorrow or distress over a loss. With great symbolism Elisha picks up the mantle left behind by Elijah. It’s also worth noting that the first miraculous sign Elisha performed was also the last one performed by Elijah. By literally picking up the mantle and parting the waters of the Jordan established him in the eyes of those who were watching as the new prophet of Israel. Verse 15 continues telling us that the company of prophets from Jericho recognized that the spirit of Elijah was resting now upon Elisha, and they bowed down before him.
What do we learn from this week’s lesson? The lesson truth directs us to lead others to service. I believe there a few truths we can learn from both Elijah and Elisha to apply where we are.
· Elisha served faithfully in the task he was given until it was time to assume the mantle of leadership. Elisha practiced patience. He did not hurry the process.
· Elisha was willing to learn by watching and working alongside Elijah over a period of several years. Elisha was humble and teachable.
· Elijah was willing to teach and develop Elisha, so he was equipped to do the work God had called him to. Elijah served others
· Elijah did not attempt to hold onto the reins of authority longer than was necessary. He did not view Elisha as a threat to his position. Elijah was not arrogant.
I’ve hit my word limit for this lesson. I hope you’ve found these lessons from Elijah as helpful as I have.
Thanks again for reading and I hope to see you Sunday.
Chris Larsen
