We had been reading the book of 2 Kings when I became captivated by the concept of a mantle and the mentorship relationship between Elijah and Elisha.  I placed a side note to go back at some point and look into the details of this relationship and how it came about. And so we are here…

I have tracked back a bit to the book of 1 Kings 19, where Elijah, the big prophet flees Horeb running away from a woman called Jezebel who had threatened his life for killing the prophets of Baal.  Jezebel sent a message to Elijah saying, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them”(1 Kings 19:2).

The story goes on to speak about how Elijah ran until he encountered God again, firstly through the angel sent by God to give him provision, preparing him for the journey that was ahead of him. Eventually the Lord spoke to him to give him instructions to stand on the mountain awaiting the Lord’s presence to pass by.  The bible tells us seasons came to pass while Elijah was waiting, a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks, the Lord did not pass by. An earthquake came along and still the Lord was not in it. After the earthquakes came the fire but the Lord was still not there. Elijah did not give up, he still waited for God to come. The bible says, “And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” (1 Kings: 19:12 -13).  The gentle whisper did not find Elijah on the mountain top, it found him in the cave. He stood at the mouth of the cave, probably tired and not in the best condition having lived alone waiting through these seasons.

This moment became a turning point, transitioning Elijah into a new season. The Lord instructed him to go back the way he came and go to the desert of Damascus where he would have to anoint Hazael king over Aram, also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed him as prophet.  A transition for both him and Elisha who would be stepping into a new season himself. 

Elisha, a farmer burns his equipment and oxen giving a signal that he is leaving that life behind and not looking back. To many of us, Elisha looks well off, he is productive, earning an honest living purposefully.  Yet I do believe this season was his working blindly season. He did everything that looked like it had meaning and yet there was no fulfilment or purpose. 

The bible tells us when Elijah got to Elisha he threw his cloak around him, signifying that Elisha was chosen by God to succeed Elijah as a prophet and continue his ministry. The cloak, also known as a mantle, represented the prophetic office Elisha was being called into.  Despite how it looked from the outside, it is clear Elisha would have had a strong conviction about this calling even if he did not have details of how it would manifest because he did not give his assets to someone to caretake for him. He basically got rid of everything he owned and used all his resources to hold a feast for everyone in his community symbolizing his complete break from his former life. This is the season of receiving a conviction to completely serve God.

Following this day, Elisha began to follow Elijah, serving him and learning from him all that he needed to learn as a young prophet. This season of learning was marked with sharp observation, rigorous discipline, humility and service.  Elisha observed as Elijah performed powerful acts such as calling down fire from heaven and parting the river Jordan. It is likely these experiences contributed greatly to His desire to serve God in the same way. His service preceded him as seen in 2 Kings 3, where a king was looking for a prophet and one of his servants referenced Elisha saying “ Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here” speaking to his service towards Elijah. This period of service and learning under Elijah was a significant period of preparation for Elisha’s own prophetic ministry which would involve many miracles impacting nations. A learning season.

The final season I observed in this relationship was the transitioning of Elisha from student to leader of his own path, successor of Elijah. We see this period begin with a series of final tests from Elijah as he encourages Elisha to stay behind and not go with him before he was taken away by the Lord, testing his loyalty and faithfulness till the end. Like a good student, Elisha passed these tests and progressed to see Elijah part waters with his cloak to walk across on dry ground. Realising Elisha was not going anywhere he asked him what he wanted him to do for Elisha and Elisha responded asking for a double portion of what Elijah had, emphasising the hunger and faith he had to serve the God of Elijah in the same way and even better as a reflection of his good teacher. 

At this point, the transitioning of Elijah as he got taken away left Elisha transitioning into his own as the successor of Elijah, walking in his foot steps literally as he picked Elijah’s cloak to part the river so he could walk back as Elijah did. “And he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided left and right and Elisha went over.” (2 Kings 2:14) This marked the beginning of the journey of succession. 
The different seasons needed a different posture and voice from Elijah and Elisha. The underpinning lesson for me is the lessons of time, God’s timing. Elisha’s time was determined by God and he prepared a way by sending to him Elijah. The observation of time also speaks to Elisha’s  sensitivity. Elisha did not waste time when he was called, he wrapped up what was no longer necessary without second guessing God and followed Elijah. Time is also seen factoring the period of service, Elisha served Elijah until the end, learning as much as he could from him. He was not hurried even though he had a strong desire to even want a double portion. 

Personally going through different transitions in my life I am grateful that this pattern was revealed to me. I don’t know what season you are in your own life or what transitioning you are embarking on but I pray the Lord gives you wisdom to recognise your Elijah and learn from them as much as you can, serve them for as long as you should so you can also receive your double portion be it at work, in ministry or your studies. Always be expectant.
Be blessed 

Happy #ThirstyThursday 

#QuenchMyThirst #ThirstyThursday 

Thank God, Jesus pursued me.

LM

Lungie@quenchmythirst.life