ELISHA SERIES: MOVING INTO THE NEXT

Previously, I did a blog on Elijah’s translation, and if you are interested in reading it, you can find it in the archive of theteacherspick.com. titled “ELIJAH SERIES: ELIJAH’S TRANSLATION.” In that blog, I focused on Elijah; in this blog, my focus will be on Elisha, who will be sadly closing one assignment and moving into his next one.

Years have passed since Elijah cast his mantle on Elisha, and during that time, Elisha served Elijah as a servant and mentee. Whether this time of serving and training was rewarding or taxing, the scriptures did not say; in this second time, we see Elijah and Elisha together 2 King 2 reveals a bond has taken place, and Elisha is having difficulty with Elijah’s pending departure.

Elijah and Elisha’s last day together started in the town of Gilgal. Then they traveled to Bethel and on to Jericho. In these places, the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? Elisha confirmed that he knew what would happen and told them to stop talking. Also, while in these various areas, Elijah told Elisha to remain; however, Elisha responded, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.”                      

From Jericho, they went to the Jordan River, which was divided for them when Elijah took his mantle and smote the waters, and they went over to the other side. Then Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before he left him, and Elisha answered, “I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” Elijah informed Elisha his request was difficult; nevertheless, if Elisha saw his translation, his request would be granted.

While they journeyed on, a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated them, and a whirlwind took Elijah up into heaven. Seeing this, Elisha cried, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof,” and in grief, he tore his clothes into two pieces. Then he picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him as he ascended into heaven.

Now alone, Elisha returned to the Jordan River and smote the waters with Elijah’s mantle, saying, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” As it did previously, the waters parted, and Elisha crossed over to the other side, where he met the sons of the prophets who had been watching from that side of the Jordan River. Saying, “The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha,” they came and bowed themselves to the ground before him. Additionally, they requested permission to send fifty servants to search for the body of Elijah. At first, Elisha told them not to do so, but then he yielded to the pressure they placed on him to send out a search party. When the servants returned empty-handed, he said, “Did I not say unto you, Go not?”

The second miracle performed by Elisha occurred when the men of the city said to him, “Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.” Elisha had the men bring him a jar with salt in it which he poured into the waters, followed by a word from the Lord declaring the waters healed, and there would be no more death or barren land.

Thereafter while traveling to Bethel, Elisha encountered a group of youth who foolishly mocked his assignment and appearance. Elisha responded by cursing them in the Lord’s name; consequently, two she-bears came out of the wood and mauled forty-two of them. Elisha continued on his journey to Mount Carmel, and from there, he returned to Samaria.

Here are some conclusions and nuggets that I gained from this chapter:

• Elijah and Elisha were from different generations and shared a camaraderie and love for each other.
• For years Elisha was a companion of Elijah, so he knew his spirit and desired to be like him.
• Despite discouraging words from the sons of the prophets, Elisha continued his assignment with unwavering fidelity. Don’t allow negative statements to deter you. Shut negative comments and opinions down.
• Some truths are difficult to hear.
• Listen to the leading of God and not men.
• As you journey through life, your commitment will be tested.
• A double portion in Israel is known as the firstborn’s blessing, which enabled this individual to receive more than his siblings. Elisha was not Elijah’s natural son; he was spiritually connected to him. Elisha understood he needed a double portion to carry on the work, and thus he requested it. He did not seek the wealth or prestige that he previously had.
• To acquire his request, Elisha could not be distracted; he had to remain focused on Elijah.
• You must remain to the end to receive all that can be obtained.
• A positive reward comes when you are in the right place.
• Experiencing the departure of a loved one can be grievous. Elisha continued doing the work though he was grieving for his mentor.
• In smiting the water as Elijah did, Elisha followed a pattern that worked previously.
• There are always spectators waiting to see what is going to happen. Some speculate while others participate.
• When people are unaware of how events occurred, they seek answers.
• Jericho was under a curse from the time of Joshua. The city was to remain torn down; however, it was rebuilt during the reign of King Ahab (Joshua 6:26, 1 Kings 16:34). This was probably why the water was distasteful and the land barren.
• Salt is known to purify, preserve, season, prevent putrefaction and is an emblem of grace and divine holiness. In this chapter, salt, accompanied by the Lord’s Word, healed the spring of waters and barren land.
• As God was with Elijah, so was, He with Elisha.
• Children are to be taught respect for their elders.
• God will even use wild animals to execute judgment on the unbelieving.
• Leaving the past is necessary to enter into the future.

Finally, I invite you to come back next week and read the next posting of this series as we continue to share the life of Elisha.