|
Story 6 - Enter Elisha
The sequential happenings
recorded in I Kings 20 through II Kings
1, I have decided not to include in
these stories. These chapters cover Israel's victories over
Syria; the murder by Ahab and Jezebel of Naboth, the vineyard
owner; Elijah predictions and fulfillment of Ahab and
Jezebel's deaths; wars--victories and defeats.
Historical setting:
Time:Around 872B.C.
Places: Toward Damascus, near River Jordan
Persons: Elijah, and Elisha
Scripture: I
Kings 19:19-21
Elijah felt renewed spiritually after his encounter with
God and His still, small voice. It was time for him to leave
the wilderness and head back into civilization. God had
commissioned him, and he must get on with the conclusion of
his life. Heading up the valley by the Dead Sea, and along the
Jordan towards Damascus, he was prepared to fulfill his last
mission, that of anointing a new king for Israel and Syria,
and pronouncing doom on Ahab and Jezebel for their wickedness.
But also, another very important part of his final ministry
was to find and train a successor for himself.
"As he passed from the presence of Jehovah his
greatest honor came to him by Divine commission. He was told
to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, and Jehu to be king
over Israel in place of Ahab whose reign would endure a little
longer. He was also to find and anoint his own successor and
put him in training to take his place. His last work on earth
was to be his greatest, and, whether or not he yet knew it,
God had in reserve for him the highest honor at the end of his
life ever conferred on man." (Quote from "The Chosen Word" copyright 1915 The John
A. Hertel Co.)
But it was still several years before Elijah's
final farewell. Elijah spent the last part of his career,
hidden from public view. He spent this time training his
successor, Elisha, for the ministry he had begun. Even though
God had commissioned Elijah to anoint the new kings, he left
it to Elisha to do the actual anointing of Hazael to be king
over Syria and Jehu to replace King Ahab.
But let's
get on with the story of Elijah's last days and the
introduction of Elisha.
A short review of Elisha:
Elisha, son of Shaphat, was a well-to-do farmer. He lived
in the rich agricultural region near the Jordan River. He had
been well educated, both academically and religiously. And as
we meet him, here in this account, we find that he was a
diligent worker.
Elisha, in contrast to Elijah, was a
gentle man, and their two natures complemented, rather than
conflicted with each other. Although Elijah threw his mantle
on Elisha, it did not change Elisha into Elijah.
Each
of these prophets had individual uniqueness. Elijah was a
prophet of wrath and judgment. He was likened to a burning
meteor. Elisha, whose name meant, "God is salvation," was
"like a rainbow" announcing salvation to the people in
darkness. No one thought a request too small to ask Elisha for
advice. He was an ordinary man, and the ordinary people knew
him. They had often seen him in the field behind the plow and
harrow. He was their equal. Yet even kings were not ashamed to
go to him for advice. He was a man among men, a people's
prophet.
Elijah finds Elisha
Footsore and weary, Elijah reached the rich agricultural
region near the Jordan River. Before him lay a large patch of
farmland. Scattered over the field were twelve plowmen, each
handing a team of oxen. Closest to him was the owner of the
farm, Elisha, working with the twelfth team. Focused on his
work, Elisha did not look up. God revealed to Elijah that this
was the man whom God had chosen to replace him. Coming closer,
Elijah threw his mantel on Elisha's back, a sign of anointing.
Elijah continued walking.
Elisha had been a student at
the school of the prophets, and he had known for quite some
time that God had something better in mind for him than
plowing his father's fields. Each day as he worked the fields
he prayed to God to show him the path He wanted for him. So
when Elijah's mantel fell on him, he knew that this was God's
calling. He knew that he had been anointed to walk in the
footsteps of the old prophet, Elijah.
Immediately he dropped the reins of the horses and ran
after Elijah.
"Father Elijah, please wait. Let me go to my father and
mother and kiss them goodbye and I then will gladly follow
you."
"Go ahead," said Elijah. "I have no claim on you. "Go and
do what you have to do."
Elisha immediately ran back to his field, broke up his
wooden plow and made a fire, unhooked the yoke of oxen and
killed and cooked them. He said to his servants, "This is my
farewell feast to you. Thank you for your faithful service,
but I am leaving farm life. I have had a higher calling. God
has chosen me to be the next prophet after Elijah. I must now
go and say goodbye to my parents." With that Elisha went into
the house to make his announcement to his mother and father.
After a tearful farewell, but with a blessing from his
parents, he left the house, never to return. He had left
farming forever. For the next several years Elisha became
Elijah's willing servant, following him wherever he went, and
learning the "ropes" of being a prophet of the Lord.
© Helen Dowd
Any historical information I have used is gleaned from "The
Chosen Word" copyright 1915 The John A. Hertel Co.;
consequently, the dates stated in these stories may not agree
with dates of other historical records.
* * *
Please read Story 7: A Fiery Farewell
|