Elisha The Prophet of God

Lesson 1 – Commencement 1Kings 19:19-21; 2Kings 1-2 Date: Thursday, 18 June 2020 –Elisha20

1.      Elisha’s Call from God

a.          We first meet Elisha in 1 Kings 19:19-21.

1)         He received Elijah’s mantle, a sign of a prophet’s call

2)         He immediately responded by leaving his oxen

3)         He burned the bridges behind him and followed Elijah.

b.          Today, when God calls preachers and other workers, His method is not always that dramatic. Often He uses the indwelling Holy Spirit’s conviction. God May use a sermon, a Scripture or the prompting of a godly friend.

c.           When God called the first missionaries in Acts 13:1-3, the Holy Spirit identified the men from among those who were actively serving the Lord. God is looking for active Christians.

d.          Turn to Romans 10:13-15. Besides full-time preachers, God is looking for Christians who will share the Gospel with others. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, will God commend you for having “beautiful feet”?

2.      Elisha’s Training

a.          From that day forward, Elisha went after Elijah and ministered unto him (1Ki 19:21).

b.          God trains His servants according to their needs.

1)         He trained Joseph in slavery and in prison.

2)         He trained Moses for 40 years in the palace and 40 years as a shepherd in the desert.

3)         God trained Joshua as Moses’ servant for 40 years.

4)         He trained David in the field with his sheep fighting bears and lions.

5)         God trained Daniel in a godly home and as a prisoner of war.

6)         He trained Jonah in the fish’s belly.

7)         He trained the disciples at Jesus’ feet.

c.           Elisha spent several years as a servant before he became a prophet (2Ki 3:11). Dads, if you want God to use your children, teach them to be servants to Mum and to each other. We must learn to do the unpleasant jobs cheerfully before promotion.

3.      Elisha’s Desire

a.          He desired a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2Ki 2:9).

b.          His desire was not to be better than his master. I believe that he knew his own weaknesses and he wanted more than anything to be used of God. God gave him his desire.

c.           Preacher D. L. Moody, who lived in the 1800s once said, “The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him”.

d.          Do you want God to use you? Then fully consecrate your life to Him. Surrender your all to Him (Rom 12:1-2). Keep your heart and life clean (Pr 4:23; 2Co 7:1). Spend time studying the Bible. Ask God to empower your witness for Him. Set your affection on things above not on things of this earth (Col 3:1-5).

4.      Elisha’s World

a.          In what kind of world was it that Elisha began his ministry?

b.          Elisha ministered during the reigns of Ahaziah, Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash (Joash). All were bad kings.

c.           In Judah during that time, the kings were a mix of good and bad including wicked Queen Athaliah.

5.      Elisha’s Commencement

a.          After Elijah went off to heaven, Elisha took his mantle (cape) and walked back to the Jordan River (2Ki 2:13).

b.          He used the mantle to hit the water and it divided making a way for him to pass over (2Ki 2:14).

c.           God used Elisha to turn bad water into good water (2Ki 2:19-22).

d.          As he travelled up to Bethel, children mocked him (2Ki 2:23-25). The Hebrew words for “little children” refer to young youths. They were old enough and godless enough to mock the ascension of Elijah by chiding Elisha to do the same. They also clearly mocked Elisha for being bald, which was sometimes considered a disgrace.

e.          He cursed them. This word means to treat as slight or unworthy. He turned them over to the Lord. God then caused two bears to kill 42 of them. God’s response clearly shows how serious it is to mock a preacher. Remember, Elisha did not kill the youths. God sent the bears after them.

f.            We too must expect opposition when we serve God.