SPIRITUAL SUCCESSION. 2nd Kings 2 The passing of spiritual leadership from one generation of qualified men to the next has often been done based on the desire of the older to have the younger continue their work. When Elisha was called to follow Elijah, he was not coerced but "burned his bridges" and went willingly. A time of watching, listening, and learning from one who is older is really a principle of succession that needs to be practiced. Training for specific tasks, and in particular for leadership, is done by observation as well as by communication. One may know all the right words and be quite familiar with scriptural doctrine, but when it comes to taking action and doing that which one has not done before, observing a godly leader acting for the Lord is the best way to learn.
The fact that the Lord would take away” Elijah had been revealed to many of His servants, the prophets. Perhaps this knowledge was given to guard against cynical denials that the event of Elijah being taken up in a chariot of fire had really happened. Fifty witnesses to the miracle of the crossing of Jordan on the dry ground left no doubt about the whole event.
Grace, dignity, and integrity are all needed when a servant of God goes out before the people of God to make decisions and carry out the actions of his calling with wisdom. Elisha knew Elijah was nearly finished his ministry and wanted to be with him right to the end. He was totally committed to him personally and the work being passed on to him. He also knew his own limitations and his need of God in the service of the Lord. Both of these are needed to accomplish a successful ministry for the Lord. Admission of our inability in ourselves is a good place to start in any ministry in which we are called to serve.
Others will be involved in similar labors for the Lord who see obstacles and difficulties, so they wait for a more opportune time. When we know we have been given a task or an ongoing work for the Lord, to wait is usually because of a lack of faith. To want to know the actual outcome before we start is not wise stewardship. The "sons of the prophets," or those who have been schooled to do a prophetic ministry, often are more concerned with obstacles than opportunities. These groups, who knew what was happening, just stood and waited for events to unfold. Elisha wanted to be part of the event and get the blessing that comes from going forward in faith.
Elisha knew Elijah was being “taken from you” and that he had brought in a new stage of Israel’s history similar to Moses. Like Josua to Moses, Elisha was responsible for continuing the work the leader before him had begun. Elisha’s commitment to Elijah was unfailing, and he would not leave him until God took him. He watched Elijah wrap his coat and use it like Moses used his rod at the Red Sea.
Fifty men watched from a distance. Elisha learned personally how a man of faith deals with obstacles. When his determination had been tested and proven, Elijah was ready to give his final lesson in faith and leadership. There was no going back for Elisha until Elijah was gone, and Elijah knew that, so he asked what final thing he could do for Elisha
The request was to accomplish more for God, not to be more powerful or better than Elijah. Elijah left the answer in the hands of the Lord, and Elisha kept his eyes on Elijah as part of the answer. A “double portion” was a term used in material things for the principal heir in Israel. Elisha wanted that principle to apply to him in spiritual things. He acknowledged that if what Elijah had started would continue, it would be God’s doing by providing the spiritual power needed.
A clear objective on the part of one called to lead will not be easily deviated from even though others want to impart their opinions on you. If we desire to do great things for God, then we can ask them of Him. Our personal ambitions or self-interest must be gotten rid of. Then the Sovereign Lord can do with us as He chooses from His infinite wisdom and power.
The Lord had told Elijah several years earlier to anoint Elisha as his successor, but the way Elijah responded to Elisha’s request shows us that the result would rest on God’s sovereign will. “If you see me, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” The whole matter and the outcome were in God’s hands.
The conclusion of a person's ministry may not always be dramatic like that of Elijah. But a "good and faithful servant" can entrust all his life's efforts to our Gracious Lord and depart in peace. Even though Elijah went to heaven without dying, it may be that both he and Enoch will be the two who testify for God during the Tribulation. When they finish their ministry, they will be slain, raised three days later, and taken into heaven.
Elisha testified at the catching up of Elijah in the whirlwind of fire in a chariot that Elijah was the power in Israel, not the king. When Enoch was "translated," he was halfway from Adam to Abraham. Elijah's transport to heaven was halfway from Abraham to Christ, where he had been ministering to a nation rather than all of humanity like Enoch. Elisha knew immediately what he was called to do, and stepping out in faith, he used Elijah's cloak like his teacher, and it worked. When we act on what we know has been tried and proven, we can expect to experience unknown results by the guidance of God and His divine power working through us.
The last half of chapter two records three incidents that testify to Elisha’s commission as a prophet of God. They demonstrate God’s power and authority through Elisha, who is the designated successor to Elijah. The prophets who saw Elisha use the same cloak Elijah used and the Jordan River parted had witnessed the same miracle when they crossed the other direction and so bowed in respect and submission to the will of God. The first incident confirmed Elisha’s divine appointment. However, the prophets could not comprehend the concept of Elijah being caught up in heaven without dying, so after urgently appealing to Elisha, he seemed embarrassed or wearied with their insistence and let them go to search for Elijah.
The second incident, with the “new bowl” and salt that purified the water at its source, was a testimony to the Lord working symbolically to give a message to sinful people. The Lord is holy and pure and in mercy reaches out in mercy and grace to them despite their disobedience.
The other prophets had not learned personally the power of an active, vital faith at work. So, they went looking for Elijah's body. Their own limitations kept them thinking like natural men rather than spiritual ones. Principles of faith that Elisha had learned from Elijah were put into practice for our learning. He used a "new bowl" that had never been polluted by an earthly use to hold the salt, which was symbolic of the covenant a faithful God has with His people. God was still working on their behalf despite Israel's unfaithfulness to Him.
The third incident of the idolatrous, apostate young men who blasphemed God’s servant emphasizes the consequences of the sin of rejection of God and the disobedience and apostasy that ruin a nation. Those who turn away from God will ultimately pay with their eternal soul the cost of unbelief and rejecting God’s grace. Those cynical and openly sarcastic against the Lord will be lost in their sins in everlasting punishment.
The healing of the water, the death of those vocal, mocking, apostate young men who came out of Bethel to mock the servant of God, as well as the parting of the Jordan River give witness to the fact that God was with Elisha as He had been with Elijah. We are not called to be exactly like those who have taught us, nor is God limited to act in certain ways through us. We are responsible for doing what we do "as unto the Lord" and not merely to please men.
For our learning, we need to understand that some things we do for our Lord will be the same as those before us. Then there is implanted in those who serve God a spirit of discernment, put there by the Holy Spirit, who gives us common sense to know when something is appropriate to use or not. Also, we need to be aware of the power of God behind decision-making that may bring judgment to others. God is using His chosen servants to lead His people today in similar ways as He used the prophets of old.
Elisha had shown his commitment on an altar of fire when he burned his farming tools and offered his oxen to God. Ten years of ministering to Elijah showed that he was not for hire. Now, the time had come for him to reach out and take the mantle of leadership so that there would be no break in the leadership of the people where God had placed him. The spirit given to him for leadership was seen in his face. He was confirmed as the successor when he received the double portion that was given by custom to the firstborn son.
There are things to be done among the people of God that require the vigor and enthusiasm of younger people who can shoulder the load. Older people should give the next generation guidance that will give them principles to apply to each situation they will face. The first one to be assured of is the approval of the Lord. When answers to earnest prayers come from God’s Word or a response in circumstances that are given to prove we are in the mind of God’s will, then obstacles and doubts are removed.
Some people will look at your activities and methods with skepticism and doubt for quite a while. When they see you are actively engaged in the work God gave you, they can see God’s approval of you and what you are doing. Some people will oppose and speak disdainfully because they want things done their way, not God’s. But don’t despair though you may have to rebuke them, for God knows your heart and motive; He sees and hears all, so leave consequences to Him.