GOD ORDAINED MISSION
In the midst of decay in the nation of Israel brought on by a turning away from God, Elijah was a strong voice of light in the darkness. Elisha who came from a wealthy family, gave up all he had and followed Elijah as his servant. And now the time came for Elijah to depart and for Elisha to decide on the next course for his life.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” (2Kings 2:9,10)
Elisha’s request was not for one worldly favor but one wherein he expressed his desire to be Elijah’s successor as Israel’s prophet. With idolatry running rampant and God becoming more unpopular with each passing day, being a prophet for God would not be a profession most would pick. Yet, Elisha had seen enough to know what really mattered and God’s will for his life. Elijah allows God to decide to grant or refuse his request and God does take Elijah away in Elisha’s presence indicating to him that this was indeed his calling from God.
Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” (2Kings 2:13-15)
Elisha’s first act was to demonstrate the authority of God that now had passed on from Elijah to Elisha. Elijah’s cloak, which was a sign of his authority and which was used to part the Jordan river for them to cross, is now being used by Elisha to perform the same miracle again. This confirmation of passing of authority was required to attest to the company of prophets that this was indeed God ordained and that now the spiritual leadership of Israel rested upon Elisha.
There is great merit in being sure that any endeavor or ministry originates from God. No matter how charitable, spiritual or appealing it might be, to be blessed by God, the origin has to be from God. Elijah and Elisha took pains to ensure that Elisha’s mission would be one sanctioned by God and this set Elisha up for success.
Elisha’s first two miracles was a foretaste of the sort of ministry that would characterize his life- one of healing and judgment. With his first miracle, he heals the foul water of the city. God is a God of compassion and healing. He understands the suffering man goes through and intervenes in our lives in a daily basis to bring relief. His next miracle was to rebuke with a curse some young men from Bethel (which was the seat of idolatry in Israel), who scorned Elisha and the God he served. This was not just some young men mocking a bald prophet, but a deliberate attempt to prevent God’s word from entering the citadel of evil in Israel. Elisha became an instrument in God’s hands to rebuff any such attempt and in response to Elisha’s curse, the young men were mauled by two bears. This put Bethel and the entire nation of Israel on notice that God would not tolerate being messed with and that judgment was at hand.
God’s mission for each person is unique. With a spirit of denial and dedication, if man sets himself apart for God during his short life here on earth, a God ordained impactful mission follows.
