Lesson 40: Elijah & Elisha
So [Elijah] departed ... and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing.... Then Elijah ... threw his mantle on him.
So Elisha ... took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen's equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant. (1 Kings 19:19,21, NKJV)
... when the LORD was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, ... Elijah went with Elisha ... Then ... Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!...
And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance,...
Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
... when they had crossed over, ... Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?"
Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."
So he said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so." Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Then [Elisha] took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.
... the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." ... (2 Kings 2:1,2,7-11,14-15, NKJV)
After his victory over the prophets of Baal and Asherah, Elijah fled from the threats of Jezebel. At Mount Horeb, the Lord revealed his Majesty to Elijah, and gave him several tasks to perform, including the anointing of Elisha as his successor.
After receiving the mantle of Elijah, Elisha immediately slaughtered two oxen, boiled the meat as an offering to the Lord, and ate with his servants in celebration. He then followed Elijah, and became his servant and student.
Years later, both Elijah and Elisha became aware that it was time for Elijah to be taken into heaven by the Lord. Even though Elijah tried to separate himself from Elisha several times, Elisha refused to leave Elijah's side. After miraculously crossing the Jordan River, Elisha requested a double portion of the Spirit that had rested on Elijah. Elijah knew that Elisha's request was not something that he could grant, so he prophesied a sign for the Lord to give Elisha as a demonstration that his request had been granted.
When Elijah was actually taken up into heaven, Elisha did not witness the physical reality which was seen by the 50 prophets on the opposite shore, but rather the spiritual reality of the chariot of fire that had been sent for the purpose of escorting Elijah into heaven. As Elijah was ascending, his mantle fell to the ground, and Elisha took it as his own possession and sign of his anointing.
Afterward, Elisha returned to the Jordan River, and threw down a mantle he had just received, expecting the waters to immediately part as they had done for Elijah just minutes before. When the Jordan River failed to immediately part, Elisha called out to the Lord, "where is the God of Elijah." The waters then immediately parted, and the 50 prophets on the opposite shore knew that the spirit of Elijah now rested on Elisha.
So what does Elisha teach us about faith? First, true faith makes bold demands of the Lord. Second, true faith expects the Lord to honor every promise he has made, especially those that have been confirmed by a miraculous sign. Third, true faith expects the Lord's immediate response in our time of need. Fourth, true faith never takes "no" as an answer for any request that is in line with the Word and Character of God.
In the next lesson, we will continue examining the faith of Elisha.
May the Lord richly bless you and keep you always,
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