2nd Kings 2 SPIRITUAL SUCCESSION 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 into it, 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 needed 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 he 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.
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 to the work that was 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.
There will be others who are involved in similar labors for the Lord who see mainly obstacles and difficulties, and so they wait until a more opportune time. When we know we have been given a task or an on-going 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 various 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.
A clear objective on the part of one who is called to lead, will not be easily deviated from even though others want to impart their own opinions on you. 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 then was ready to give his final lesson in faith and leadership. The request was to accomplish more for God, not to be more powerful or better than Elijah. If our desire is 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. Elijah left the answer in the hands of the Lord, and Elisha kept his eyes on Elijah as his part of answer.
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 of the efforts of his life 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 will testify for God during the Tribulation. When they have finished their ministry, they will be slain and then 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 half-way from Adam to Abraham. Elijah's transport to heaven was half-way from Abraham to Christ in which 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, used Elijah's cloak in the same way as 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 other prophets had not learned personally the power of an active, vital faith at work. So, they went looking for the body of Elijah. Their own limitations kept them thinking like natural men rather than spiritual. 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 that was symbolic of the covenant a faithful God has with His people. God was still working on their behalf in spite of Israel's unfaithfulness to Him.
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. It is our responsibility to do what we do "as unto the Lord," and not merely to please men.
For our learning we need to understand some things we do for our Lord will be the same as those who went 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 on others. God is using His chosen servants to lead His people today in similar ways as He used the prophets of old.
2Kings 2:13. “He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;”
SUCCESSION. He had shown his commitment on an altar of fire. Ten years of ministering showed he was not for hire. Now the time had come for him to reach out and take The mantle of leadership that there be no break In the leadership of the people where God had him placed; The spirit given for leadership was seen in his face. The successor was confirmed 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 needs the vigor and enthusiasm of those able to shoulder the load. Guidance from the older should be given to the next generation, That will give them principles to apply to each situation. The first one to be assured of, is the approval of the Lord – When answers to earnest prayers come to them from God’s Word, Or a response in circumstances that are given to prove We are in the mind of God’s will when obstacles are removed.
Some people will look on with skepticism and doubt For quite some time until they see you are about The work God gave you and then they can see God’s approval of you and what you have come to be. There will be those who oppose and speak with distain, Because they wanted things their own way, not God’s way again – But don’t despair though you may have to rebuke them, For God sees and hears all, so leave consequences to Him.
“Father, I am going to meet with a number of Thy finest servants shortly. They have been left without very much guidance from those who are older. Please help me to speak for Thee in a way that is obviously guided by Thy Word. Let me teach them principles that they need to hear. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”