Elijah and Elisha

Day 38, Mar 13, 2024

Text:      1 Kings 17:10-24

Introduction 

Elijah was one of the greatest and peculiar prophets in the Bible (900 BC). He was peculiar among the prophets because of his sudden appearance on the scene – 1 Kings 17:1-24. Specifically, his parents were not mentioned in the Bible. Some say his father’s name was Savah – 1 Chronicle 8:27, another group of people also believe his father was either Harim – Ezra 10:21 or Elam – Ezra 10:26, and other Bible scholars believe that Elijah the prophet neither had parents nor offspring, but he was an angel in human form. The Bible specifically has not mentioned Elijah’s parents, but we can all agree that he was a prophet of God as stated in the Bible and God has used him mightily; so, we can learn from his examples.

Life Lessons:

1. God can choose and use anyone regardless of their background. (1 Kings 19:15-16/19).

We have just talked briefly about the nature and appearance of prophet Elijah. In contrast, his mentee – Prophet Elisha was recorded to have parents; he was the son of a prosperous farmer in Israel. His father’s name was Shaphat of Abel-Meholah and he was a wealthy man. Even though Elisha came from a rich family, he was taught a life of hard-work and obedience – Probably that’s the reason why he was able to leave his father’s wealth and comfort to follow his master (Elijah), who according to the world’s definition of success, was a poor man.

2. You are formed uniquely for a specific purpose – You are one of a kind.

Elijah and Elisha were both prophets of old appointed by God and they played major roles in the Old Testament and in the lives of believers. Their lives can be compared based on some similarities and differences. We can learn some lessons by drawing from their lives and service to God. It includes, how God has fashioned them (Elijah and Elisha) and each one of us perfectly and differently for a unique role in His service. 

1. Importance of mentor in fulfilling your purpose.

We all are or were once students and are quite familiar with the concept of having a teacher or leader to guide us. Whether we’re young or old, we need a good mentor to guide and shape us to fulfill our goals and dreams in life; That’s why it’s important to understand the benefit of having a good and influential mentor like Elijah and Elisha. For the sake of this topic, we’ll be focusing on Elijah and Elisha. However, as believers, we know that our Lord Jesus is the greatest, perfect, and most influential Mentor we’re instructed to look up to and follow – Hebrews 12:2. 

Most often, we have taken for granted the importance of mentors and the vital roles they play in our lives. We sometimes do not understand or have little or no thought of how mentors can shape and direct the course of our lives especially in positive ways. In this lesson, we’ll see an eager learner (Elisha) who not only persisted in following his teacher (Elijah) but insisted on picking up where he left off in his devotion to God. We’ll also experience the spectacular relationship that existed between a master (Elijah) and his servant (Elisha) prior to Elijah been taken to Heaven and how we can live our lives of service to God and to others in like manner.

2. Miracles are important and have specific roles in our lives – Different types of miracles for different needs.

As humans, because we have needs and sometimes burdens that are difficult to solve naturally, we are often drawn to miracles as solutions to our problems. This is true when we even consider the life of our Lord Jesus Christ – The Bible says, He went about preaching, teaching, and healing all manner of sicknesses (Miracles are as important now as they were in the past, however, it is necessary that we pray and seek God’s direction so that we are not deceived and being tossed to and from) Mathew 4:23. In this study, we’ll be looking at two great prophets of God, Elijah and Elisha, the uniqueness of their assignments in relation to the miracles they have performed during their time and the significance associated with these miracles. Also, beyond the miracles, there are many lessons we can learn to help us.

3. Everyone is Unique and Precious in the sight of God.

Of the two, Elijah’s ministry was short and clearly more dominant in many ways and most of his miracles were more confrontational; he was directly confronting powerful worldly figures like Ahab, Jezebel, Ahaziah, and calling fire from Heaven. 

Elisha, on the other hand, dealt mainly with common people whose names were not mentioned such as, a widow, a laborer, a Shunamite woman among others. Elisha sometimes dealt with powerful figures, but he did so indirectly and carried out God’s directives to Elijah. However, one notable lesson to know about Elijah is, his miracles were dramatic, judgmental, and Punitive such as calling for a drought and fire from heaven – I believe this kind of miracles were needed to clear the way for Elisha and other prophets that followed to perform miracles that were needed to touch basic needs of humanity.

4. Regardless of Elijah’s victories, he had to run for the fear for his life. Post-victory lessons Kings 19: 1-6/1 John 4:18

• We must not relax or be complacent about our achievements.
• Also, we should not forget the God that did it before, is able to do it again.

Miracles performed by Elijah – They may not be pleasant, but were permitted by God for certain reasons:

• A call to create awareness that God was displeased with His people – Dramatic, Judgmental, and Punitive.
• A wakeup-call to bring the people back to God.

• For the people who were worshipping idols, to know they have a God who is greater and mightier than Baal.
• To bring the people of God from darkness to see the light and be hopeful again. 

1) Causing the rain to cease for 3 1/2 years (1Ki 17:1)

2) Being fed by the ravens (1Ki 17:4)

3) Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1Ki 17:14)

4) Resurrection of the widow’s son (1Ki 17:22)

5) Calling of fire from heaven on the altar (1Ki 18:38)

6) Causing it to rain (1Ki 18:45)

7) Prophecy that Ahab’s sons would all be destroyed (1Ki 21:22)

8) Prophecy that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1Ki 21:23)

9) Prophecy that Ahaziah would die of his illness (2Ki 1:4)

10) Calling fire from heaven upon the first 50 soldiers (2Ki 1:10)

11) Calling fire from heaven upon the second 50 soldiers (2Ki 1:12)

12) Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:8)

13) Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2Ki 2:10)

14) Being caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (2Ki 2:11)

Miracles performed by Elisha;  For Restoration – In the lives of ordinary people.

1) Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:14)

2) Healing of the waters (2Ki 2:21)

3) Curse of the she bears (2Ki 2:24)

4) Filling of the valley with water (2Ki 3:17)

5) Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2Ki 3:22)

6) Miracle of the vessels of oil (2Ki 4:4)

7) Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2Ki 4:16)

8) Resurrection of the Shunammite’s son (2Ki 4:34)

9) Healing of the gourds (2Ki 4:41)

10) Miracle of the bread (2Ki 4:43)

11) Healing of Naaman (2Ki 5:14)

12) Perception of Gehazi’s transgression (2Ki 5:26)

13) Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2Ki 5:27)

14) Floating of the axe head (2Ki 6:6)

15) Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2Ki 6:9)

16) Vision of the chariots (2Ki 6:17)

17) Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2Ki 6:18)

18) Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2Ki 6:20)

19) Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2Ki 7:1)

20) Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the abundance (2Ki 7:2)

21) Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2Ki 7:6)

22) Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2Ki 8:1)

23) Prophecy of Benhadad’s untimely death (2Ki 8:10)

24) Prophecy of Hazael’s cruelty to Israel (2Ki 8:12)

25) Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2Ki 9:7)

26) Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2Ki 13:17)

27) Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2Ki 13:19)

28) Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2Ki 13:21)

Lesson 

Passage: 2 Kings 2:1-12

 Life Application -1

1. What is expected of a faithful Servant.

As faithful Servants, we ought to listen to our teachers (mentors) and pay attention to what they taught and require of us. We can learn valuable lessons from those God has placed over our lives and apply their teachings to the benefits of others to the God of glory.

Elijah and Elisha’s relationship is a great mentorship study which we must all aspire to learn from.

Some values expected of a faithful servant are:

• Servants or Trainees must be willing to spend time focusing on assignments given to them by their mentors before they can qualify to take the mantel of leadership on their own. They must also not pay attention to distractors; they’re planted to derail them from achieving their purpose in life – Elisha focused on the master’s instruction and the task ahead.

• Trainees must be willing to stay close to their mentors – 2 Kings 2:2. Even when times were difficult and tough – Elisha did not retreat even in the face of discouragement and mockery. 

• A trainee needs the master’s blessing to succeed – They must be willing to wait patiently for their appointed time to pick up the mantel. 

Impatience prematurely aborts duly awaited blessings – It’s worth the wait (Remember Gehazi in 2 Kings 5:21-22 – and King Saul’s downfall in 1 Samuel 15:22-24). 

On the contrary, Elisha was patient and God lifted him to a place of prominence. We have head countless times the result of disobedient and impatient servants – May we never be victims in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Life Application – 2

Call to Duty – You are Unique. 

Both Elijah and Elisha were chosen by God and called to perform specific duties – As unique as we are, so are our assignments. God has a special assignment for each one of us – No two human beings are the same and so is our calling.

• Know who you are and understand your assignment.

(If you followed someone blindly on the road and took the wrong exit, you may never reach your destination).

• Be truthful and faithful in carrying out your duties.

Life Application – 3

Obedience – Servants must Obey their masters. Elisha never disobeyed his master, Elijah. 

• He was faithful, patient, and dedicated to his mentor till the end (his departure).

Life Application – 4

Be Patient – Patience is a virtue – Don’t be greedy; If you want to be great, you must learn to be patient and be willing to “wait” – No shortcut. (Gehazi and King Saul)

Life Application – 5

Have a teachable spirit – A Servant must have a teachable spirit. Elijah was willing to listen to God and executed what He (God) asked him to do. Likewise, Elisha as a servant, listened to his master Elijah the prophet, and was obedient to the voice of God. Some examples are Joshua’s relationship with Moses – I believe Joshua was doing a lot behind the scenes apart from the account that he led 11 other spies to spy the land of Canaan.

Life Application – 6

Must be persistent – 2 Kings 2:2-8 (read). If you want to succeed, you must learn to not give up.

Life Application – 7

Humility – Be humble if you aspire to be great – John 13:2-8/Mathew 20:26-27. 

• Our Lord Jesus Christ once said, He who wants to be great must first be a servant – Even though He is the Son of most High God, Our Lord Jesus Christ shown humility, even unto death; He demonstrated it when He washed the feet of His disciples. 

• Someone may not be perfect or righteous in the sight of humans, but if that person is humble and teachable, God would prefer to choose that person and transform him/her to His likeness for his sevice – God used David, He granted the humble thief on the Cross eternal life, He transformed Apostles Paul to be one of the greatest Apostles, and He used a humble Gideon … we can continue on and on. The Bible says in James 4:6, God resist the proud and give grace (elevate) the humble – God would prefer to use the Humble (If at all He’ll use the proud, He’ll first humble him/her before they can be useful to Him.

Life Application – 8

Loyalty – Be fully Committed to the master and His vision. Both Elijah and Elisha were loyal to their masters and what they believed in- loyalty here means, undivided commitment and allegiance to the master or a course – Loyal servants are those who are faithful in carrying out their assignments even to the very end; Do you give up easily, defect when the going gets tough, rebel or betray your master, a friend, your pastor or your mentor when the going gets rough and though?

Life Application – 9

God has a specific plan for you at an appointed time (Do not envy others)

Habakkuk 2:3 “For the revelation (vision) awaits an appointed time it speaks of the end and will not prove false, though it lingers, wait for it; it[c] will certainly come and will not delay.” 

Elisha waited patiently for his appointed time – Have you become impatient in your place of work because of that position you’ve been waiting for, the healing, a child, and/or anything you’re trusting God for? May the Lord give us grace to wait – IJN.

Elijah, Elisha, and Jeremiah are examples of something wonderful that God says about each of us: God has fashioned each of us perfectly for unique roles in his service.

Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:10, likens God to a SCULPTOR who formed each of us uniquely, suiting us for the significant work he has already planned in mind for us. 

• Your personality – body, natural talents, spiritual gifting, experiences in your upbringing, and the time and place in which you live or were born are all preplanned by God – you had no choice or input in that decision; it was all God’s. 
• None of us is here by accident; your history, genetics, and environment are all the making of God.
• He is sovereign and involved in every aspect of your life. 
• God has a unique purpose for your life, and he has been mysteriously at work to shape your life for his good purpose.

In Jeremiah 1:5, God spoke to Jeremiah saying – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

 before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

In addition, we must also understand that God’s fashioning work (Model) is “in Christ.” We can learn the true purpose for our lives and how to conform to the Model (nature) He has created us after we have been reconciled to our Maker – only through Jesus Christ.

Life Application – 10

Do not compare yourself with others, else, you’ll run another man’s race and be disqualified.

If Elisha had compared himself with Elijah, or listened to those who did so, he would have concluded that he was unsuited for his role. But thankfully, he affirmed this truth and trusted the Lord – When we feel this way, we need to imitate Elisha – Know that you’re best fitted for the role God has given you; there’s no better match.

1. We must learn to accept Gods definition of success, because the only audience that count is God.

As Children of God, we must be careful how we define success – In our individual lives and Christian ministry, we sometimes compare ourselves to other workers or other ministries (For Example, we compare how many likes and followers we have, and how large is our congregation). Those who measure their success; including spiritual success by how they perform compared to other people inevitably will fall prey to vices like pride, envy, jealousy, and may fall victim to problems such as depression, insecurity, and even other physical ailments – Galatians 5:26; 6:4-5. That’ll not be our portion in Jesus’ name!

If a question was asked, whose life was more successful, Elijah’s or Elisha’s? I believe there would be mixed reactions – So we can conclude that the answers depend on which audience we’re talking to.

Let’s look at a few examples:

• Some will define the success of Elijah and Elisha based on material things – None was successful.
• Others will base it on how dramatic the miracles were – Elijah.
• The remaining may base it on how emotional the miracles were – touching the lives of ordinary people – Elisha.
• Maybe, another group would base it on who was the master and who was the servant, of course, Elijah will be the winner.
• Also, if we must base it on the duration of their ministry and the number of miracles performed – Elisha.

Considering the above-mentioned accounts, we can conclude that it depends on the eyes of the beholder – Who is the Ultimate Beholder? – The Almighty God. If God is the Beholder, then, they both were successful because they both fulfilled the roles He gave them.

Life Application – 11

Being a Servant does not make you inferior. 

Upon all the miracles Elisha had performed, he was still described as “Elisha, the servant who poured water over Elijah’s hands.” Because of this reason, Elijah was still famous in his own right. Some Scholars believe that he was still a prominent figure over most prophets in the Old Testament except Moses. Elisha, however, remains clearly in Elijah’s shadow even after Elijah departed – he was still referred to as” Elisha who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah” (2 Kings 3:11).

The question is, how do you handle a situation such as this even after proving yourself to be viable and you’re still being referred to as someone else’s shadow? 

The answer is to handle it the way Elisha handled it – The fulfillment of your purpose on earth is to do what God has assigned for you to do, not what other people expected of you. 

Life Application – 12

Pride is dangerous – Elisha came from a wealthy family but was very humble – Pride grows when you conclude that you’re more important and successful than others in any area. It is very dangerous because, it clouds and corrupts your judgment, and blinds you. 

Lesson of the Day

Sometimes there’s debate about who between Elijah and Elisha was the greatest, or who was better suited for his role – Elijah or Elisha?”

Elijah as the predominant figure. He is mentioned by name 29 times and alluded to a few other times. But Elisha is believed to have been mentioned only once. 

However, as much as Elijah was described a predominant figure with dramatic, judgmental, and more punitive miracles, he was also recorded to have a short ministry time. 

Elisha on the other hand, his miracles were hinged on restoration; compassion and service to common people which provided them a needed reminder of God’s love and faithfulness for all even when they do not deserve it.

Considering these great prophets of the Old Testament, we must admit that they both have fulfill their purpose in the eyes of God and were very successful.

What matters is how God sees you. If God approves of your works, you’re deemed successful.

We must not consider how much we have accomplished compared to others, rather, we must hold ourselves accountable for how well we are fulfilling the potentials God gave us to serve him. We should let this perspective keep us humble and motivated to press on towards the mark of our higher calling.

I believe when we discover this perspective about our existence, only then we can focus on simply being where God wants us to be – doing what God wants us to do can help us experience God’s peace and satisfaction.

Complied by: Charles Kretsi