Bible Study - Elijah (6) - Lead Others to Serve - 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:6-14 August 29, 2021

 

Bible Study – Elijah (6) – Lead Others to Serve – August 29, 2021

This is our sixth and final lesson in this series of study, “Elijah: Living Outside the Comfort Zone.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:6-14.

Lead others to serve GOD.

GOD calls and gives opportunity for those who know the truth to have a part in leading others to serve GOD. GOD had to give Elijah on-the-job training. Elijah had the opportunity to pass his experience on to Elisha.

Let’s consider their names:

Elijah – means “Yahweh is my GOD”

Elisha – means “Yahweh is salvation”

Under the leadership of GOD, Elijah revealed The One True GOD of the Israelites to both the Israelites and those who worshipped the false god Baal. GOD then called Elisha to lead Israel back into worshipping The One True GOD of Israel, Yahweh.

It is one thing to be aware that GOD exists but quite another to know HE cares enough about you to be your eternal Savior.

We will see in our study that GOD still had work for Elijah to do before HE removed him from earth in a spectacular way. Let’s explore!

The transfer of Spiritual power can be symbolic. In this study, we see that Elijah’s mantle was a symbol of GOD’S presence. Many prophets of GOD wore a robe, cape or loose-fitting tunic referred to as a mantle or cloak. The passing of this physical object signified the transfer of prophetic responsibility and GOD’S accompanying power.

I believe Spiritual mantles are still transferred today, which I will not get into. The Holy Spirit unites with the human spirit the instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins and for JESUS to come into his or her life. We are born first physically. When we ask JESUS into our hearts, believing that He gave HIS sinless life to pay in full for all of our sins, we are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, never to be Spiritually unborn. JESUS did this just for you and me that we might have eternal life. At the instant of our salvation, HE gives us HIS Holy Spirit to confirm and assure us that we belong to HIM.

How do we as Spirit-born Christians know this. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans Chapter 8 verse ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 

The Holy Spirit confirms and assures every child of GOD of his or her salvation from eternal death and has received eternal life and citizenship in Heaven.

Back to our study ----

GOD led Elijah to locate Elisha and Elijah goes as he was directed by GOD ----

Let’s read 1 Kings 19:19-21:

Elisha’s Appointment as Elijah’s Successor

¹⁹ Elijah left there and found Elisha, son of Shaphat as he was plowing. Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him. ²⁰ Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.”

“Go on back,” he replied, “for what have I done to you?”

Elijah told Elisha to go do what he needed to do to respond to the calling of GOD for him to be a prophet called by GOD.

²¹ So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered^[b] them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.

When Elisha made his commitment to GOD, he meant business. His family was obviously wealthy since he was plowing behind the twelve team of oxen. All this material wealthy would likely be his one day but Elisha responded to the call of GOD.

The Prophet Elijah threw his mantle over Elisha and that was the moment the call was made from GOD to Elisha. Elisha made his decision to accept his call from GOD at that instant.

Elijah instructed Elisha to “Go on back,” he replied, “for what have I done to you?” Elisha, you need to ponder the call that GOD has issued to you. GOD wants you to be fully committed to HIM and not being compromised with your call and thinking “I should have stayed home.”

This is a very different response than the call JESUS made to the young man HE called to follow HIM. The young man told JESUS that he needed to first bury his father. That seemed like a reasonable request except that his father was alive and well. JESUS knew this young man’s heart. GOD knew the heart of Elisha. Elisha responded and was eager to learn from Elijah all he needed to be GOD’S prophet.

Time passes and it was time for Elijah to be taken up to Heaven.

Let’s read 2 Kings 2:1-14:

Elijah in the Whirlwind

2 The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal, ² and Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me on to Bethel.”

but Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So, they went down to Bethel.

It was about eight miles from Gilgal to Bethel. Elisha said no, I want to be with you every step of the way while you are upon earth.

³ Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?”

He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

⁴ Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; the Lord is sending me to Jericho.”

The next leg of the trip from Bethel to Jericho was 14 miles. Elijah gave permission to Elisha to stay behind but Elisha said no. How often do we stay behind and realize that by doing so, we missed a blessing?

I think Elijah was testing Elisha. Was he ready to assume the responsibility of being Israel’s prophet?? Did he want to learn and experience all that Elijah and GOD needed to teach him before the departure of Elijah? What was Elisha’s decision?

But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So, they went to Jericho.

⁵ Then the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?”

He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

Who were the “sons of the prophets?” Bible scholars think they were a gild of prophets in training. We know the rest of this story and a prophet had to be 100% correct with the prophecy passed on. Both of these gilds were spot on their relationship with GOD. When GOD confirms HIS message through us it is exciting because it is truth from HIM and not some notion from our own minds.

⁶ Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me to the Jordan.”

But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So, the two of them went on.

⁷ Fifty men from the sons of the prophets came and stood observing them at a distance while the two of them stood by the Jordan. ⁸ Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water, which parted to the right and left. Then the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ⁹ When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you.”

So, Elisha answered, “Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit.”

Was Elisha being greedy? No! Notice in verse 12, Elisha cried our “My father, my father. Elijah was Elisha’s Spiritual father. According to Jewish law at the death of the father the son left to carry on the household received? If you said, “A double portion.” You would be correct.

According to Bible scholars, there have been 8 miracles attributed to Elijah and 16 miracles attributed to Elisha. The point? Elisha received what he requested, a double portion! GOD is so good.

¹⁰ Elijah replied, “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me being taken from you, you will have it. If not, you won’t.”

Why was it difficult for Elijah to grant Elisha’s request? Elisha had to remain faithful to GOD. GOD would allow him to witness something unusual. Would he run, cover his head and face or stay to the end? As we read on, we see that Elisha remained witnessing what was taking place to the very end.

¹¹ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind. ¹² As Elisha watched, he kept crying out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

Why was Elijah taken up in such a manner? Many of us try to figure out this phenomenon but speculation can be misleading. GOD did it and we read later in Matthew 17 that Moses and Elijah reappear at the transfiguration of JESUS or testing of JESUS.

GOD still had plans for Elijah and Moses and maybe Enoch the other Biblical person who did not experience physical death. (Genesis 5:23-24 - ²³ So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. ²⁴ Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him.)

What is written in Matthew 17:1-3: After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. ² He was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him.

What happened to Moses when he died? Let’s read Deuteronomy 34:5-6:

⁵ So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the Lord’s word. ⁶ He buried him^[b] in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows where his grave is. 

GOD buried Moses and GOD took Elijah to Heaven in a dramatic manner. Moses represents the law and Elijah represents the prophets. Both had the purpose of vetting JESUS on the Mount of Transfiguration as HE was approaching HIS crucifixion. Had all been fulfilled? YES!!! Then JESUS proceeded to Jerusalem to fulfill HIS calling.

Notice, that Elijah and Elisha crossed from the promised land to Moab where Moses ended his called purpose of leading the Israelites to the promised land. GOD had appointed Joshua to pick up where Moses left off and completed the promise. When Elijah had completed his purpose for GOD, GOD led him back to where Moses left off. Elisha was commissioned to continue to rebuild the Israelites faith in Yahweh, The One True GOD of the Israelites. Just as Joshua completed what Moses started, Elisha returned to the Promised Land to complete what Elijah began.

Elisha watched “As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind.” Elijah went to heaven in a whirlwind.

Elisha watched until he could no longer see Elijah. There are times when we need to stop looking and get back to what GOD has called us to do. That is where the rubber hits the road.

Elisha Succeeds Elijah

When he could see him no longer, he took hold of his own clothes, tore them in two.

Tearing of one’s clothing was a sign of mourning. It is natural to mourn family, friends and especially those who have invested in our lives. Yes, Elisha mourned but he had to move on because there was work to do. So, what did Elisha do next ----

 ¹³ picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 

Elisha retraced their steps and returned to the Jordan River. GOD needed to verify to Elisha that he was HIS chosen new prophet. So how did GOD reveal this to Elisha?

¹⁴ He took the mantle Elijah had dropped, and he struck the water. “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” he asked. He struck the water himself, and it parted to the right and the left, and Elisha crossed

Elijah’s mantle had fallen off Elijah and Elisha picked it up. Elisha struck the water and the Jordan River parted. Elijah’s mantle worked for Elisha. What is GOD communicating to us? GOD’S power was not in Elijah’s mantle but in the faith, Elisha had in GOD.

YES! GOD confirmed that HE was still with Elisha. Some may say, “I wish I had a mantle to allow me to prove that GOD is with me!” But we do and HE is called the Holy Spirit. How does HE manifest Himself to us? Think about last week’s lesson ----- “In a still small voice.” The “Still small voice of GOD is more powerful than the wind, fire or earthquakes.” Oh! I admonish you, if you have not heard the “still small voice of GOD,” ask HIM to reveal Himself to you. That is the Holy Spirit revealing and speaking to you. It is beautiful and personal. It is a special moment but only to reinvigorate us to serve JESUS according to HIS leadership.

Elijah lived outside his comfort zone. GOD did not condemn him as he transitioned from GOD being the GOD for Israel to the GOD of Elijah. GOD worked with him to reveal this relationship and build him up. Elijah went from GOD working nationally to GOD working through him personally. That is exactly what GOD desires in each of us.

What did JESUS teach HIS disciples as recorded in Matthew 17:20 - “Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Faith in GOD through faith in JESUS. It is where you place your faith – in yourself or JESUS? Who has the power? JESUS!!! JESUS moves mountains and it our faith in JESUS that is vital.

Blessings!!!