Lesson 308 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
Cross References
I Call of God
1. Elijah placed his mantle upon Elisha; and this act typified the call of God, [1KG:19:16], [1KG:19:19]; [EXO:3:1-2]; [JUG:6:11-12]; [PS:78:70-72]; [AMO:7:14-15]; [MAT:4:18-19].
2. Elisha consecrated his possessions and family and followed the call of God, [1KG:19:20]; [MAT:8:21-22]; [LUK:9:61-62]; [GEN:24:55-58].
3. Elisha made a sacrifice of the oxen, and then went to minister unto Elijah, [1KG:19:21]; [2KG:3:11-12]; [JHN:13:13-16]; [LUK:22:25-27]; [MAT:20:28]; [PHL:2:17].
II Mantle of God
1. Elisha followed Elijah despite opposing opinions and difficulties, [2KG:2:1-8]; [RUT:1:15-18]; [2SM:15:21]; [JHN:11:16]; [JHN:13:1]; [ROM:16:4]; [2TM:1:16]; [ACT:2:42].
2. Elisha's persistency and faithfulness caused Elijah to inquire of Elisha what should be done for him, [2KG:2:9-10]; [2CH:15:12-15]; [PS:73:25]; [MAK:5:27-34]; [MAK:10:51-52]; [MAK:7:25-29].
3. Elijah was swept up to Heaven by a whirlwind, [2KG:2:11]; [GEN:5:24]; [HEB:11:5]; [1CO:15:51-52]; [MAT:24:27-28], [MAT:24:40-41]; [LUK:9:30-31]; [1TS:4:14-18].
4. Elisha obtained the fallen mantle of Elijah – a type of the receiving of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, [2KG:2:12-18]; [LUK:24:49]; [JHN:14:12-14]; [ACT:2:1-4], [ACT:2:16-18]; [PS:45:1], [PS:45:7].
Notes
Called and Chosen
There is hardly a more beautiful and exact picture in the Word of God of the procedure of the calling of men into God's service than that of Elijah's placing his mantle upon Elisha. Elijah was nearing the end of a stormy career as a Prophet unto backslidden Israel. A successor had to be chosen to carry on the work of God, and that successor was Elisha – a man perhaps unknown to Elijah, but known of God.
God's ministers and workers are chosen of God, called of God, and are placed and kept in particular spheres of service by God. We know this from Jesus' own words: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” [JHN:15:16]). Paul said of his ministry: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me” [1CO:9:16-17]). (Read [HEB:5:1-4].) Elijah was told by God, "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-mehola shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room”
[1KG:19:16]). It was not given to Elijah to choose his successor, but God knows the hearts of men.
God's choice of a man for His service is no doubt influenced by the preparation that individual has made and is making for such service. God does not send a novice to do His work. (Read [1TM:3:6]). He usually calls men to His service who, from their past lives and character, show faithfulness and dependability that can be profitable to the work of God in the future. Such a man was David. "He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: from following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands” [PS:78:70-72]). God likewise chose Joseph, although a young man, to do great things for Him. (See [PS:105:17-22].)
The soul who desires to do the work of God will do everything in his power to fit himself for service. When the call comes he will be ready. David, the shepherd boy, did not hesitate to challenge Goliath, the enemy of Israel, in the name of the Lord, because he, David, had slain a bear and a lion in his youth with the help of the Lord. When someone was needed to take up the sword of the Lord, David was fortified by his past faith in God, and accepted the call. God accepted him because he was ready. There was none other in Israel who dared to fight the battle of the Lord against Goliath.
While working at his daily labours, Elisha suddenly felt the mantle of Elijah thrown around him. More than the weight of a mantle of cloth, he felt a great urge in his heart to do God's service; and he heard, in his heart, the voice of God speaking those solemn words that many others, through the ages, have heard: "Follow Me.”
Consecration
Simply feeling that God desires one to enter into His service, in one form or another, does not deliver him from the need of consecrating, to do that serviced well. On the contrary, answering to the call of God means the very utmost in consecration to ever be able to properly to perform the service one is called to do. Elisha was no different from other men. He felt the responsibility of his call and knew it would be demanding of him and would take precedence over every other desire and obligation in his life. God's service is the highest service in life, and the rewards are beyond calculation; but only through the highest devotion to the service of God can His will be performed by men. We feel the earnest wrestling with God of Elisha' soul as he cried to Elijah, "Let me, I pray the, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee.” Elijah's answer, "Go back again: for what have I done to thee?” meant, in short, "You must answer to God; He has called you, not I; and you must answer Him.”
Compare these words with the words of Jesus to a man who would be His disciple but who desired to be allowed to go and bury his father, "Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead” [MAT:8:22]).
Service
Elisha, after making a sacrifice, left his home to follow Elijah. The Bible states that he "poured water on the hands of Elijah” [2KG:3:11]), meaning that he attended Elijah in any service in which he could be useful to the Prophet of God. The call of God to the human soul is a call of service to others – as unto Christ. (see [2CO:5:20].) Jesus said, "I am among you as he that serveth” [LUK:22:27]). Jesus told His disciples: "He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve” [LUK:22:26]). Again Jesus said, "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” [MAT:20:28]).
The life given to God will be a life spent in ministering the things of God to the children of God wherever God deems it necessary. We must lose our lives in order to gain them again unto eternal life. Every Christian must learn this in some degree as he worships God, in order to inherit eternal life.
Following the commands of Christ often leads men to the far places of the world, into heathen lands, where they must face many hazards to life and sometimes lose their lives in the preaching of the Gospel that men might be saved from their sins. This is self-sacrificing service unto God, for the servant is not greater than his master. As Jesus gave all, so the Christian may be called upon to give his all for the glory of God and because his Master asks it of him.
Elisha was a true follower of God because he was willing to serve God's Prophet in whatever place it might be. There are those who spurn what they may call service duties in the Gospel, thinking it beneath their dignity or place in life to do such task. There are no unimportant tasks with God; and no one has ever been asked to lower himself to the place that Jesus did when He permitted men to abuse Him with all manner of insults and indignities, inflict upon him intense physical suffering, and finally, take His life. He "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” [PHL:2:7-8]). "Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” [2CO:8:9]). Such was the example of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself and all that He had to God, His Father, for the salvation of the souls of men; and we can do no less than what the Lord requires.
Power of God
When the Lord would take Elijah up into Heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tarry here.” But Elisha would not leave Elijah. Elisha's responsibility had been to serve Elijah; and Elisha knew that very soon his master would be taken away. Elisha's heart burned within him, for he desired, more than anything else, to have the Spirit and power that Elijah possessed. No service for God can be successful unless it is done in the power of the Spirit of God. Elisha knew this, and he would not leave Elijah for a minute until he received the power Elijah had.
The sons of the prophets reminded Elisha of Elijah's soon leaving and tried to hinder him from following Elijah. Elisha was not to be distracted. Finally, Elijah asked him what he desired. Elisha's answer, "A double portion of thy spirit,” is typical of the answer given by a soul who desires the mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Coming "boldly unto the throne of grace,” we ask and receive of God the Spirit of God who has been promised by Jesus.
Elijah laid down conditions whereby Elisha could receive his request. In like manner there are conditions laid down by God for the Christian to fulfil if he would receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. He must be saved, have his sins forgiven through the efficacy of the blood of Jesus Christ, and become a new creature in Christ Jesus. He must then be sanctified, a second work of grace. And then he can seek the face of God for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Elisha did not turn his eyes from Elijah, but followed him faithfully from place to place. Then, suddenly, as they were separated by the chariot of fire, Elijah was caught up to Heaven by a whirlwind. Elisha saw him go, and, rending his own clothes, he put on the fallen mantle of Elijah. As Elisha smote the waters of Jordan with the mantle and cried out, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” God proved Himself and parted the waters of Jordan that Elisha might pass over. We also can prove God's truth and existence. By obeying His precepts and seeking the face of God in the proper manner, we can obtain the deep things of God, as did Elisha.
One hundred and twenty of the disciples of Jesus, joined together in one accord, prayed for ten days for the promised Spirit of God; and when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, God poured out His Spirit upon them all.
The Sons of the prophets seemed to have been as well informed as Elisha about Elijah's departure, but Elisha alone desired the Spirit of God that was on Elijah, and he alone was the one who received that Spirit. While many knew of the promise of Jesus that He would send the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, and some 500 had seen Jesus after His resurrection, only 120 had desire enough to be there when the Spirit came. So it is today. Those who desire the things of God are seeking after them, fulfilling the commandments of God to receive them; and they are in the proper place and the proper state of spirituality that God can give them the desires of their heart.
The power of God will still fall upon those who will leave all to follow the call of Jesus Christ. God's promise is true, as Peter declared it to be on the Day of Pentecost when he said: "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” "The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” [ACT:2:16-18], [ACT:2:39]).
Questions
1. Who chose Elisha to be Elijah's successor?
2. Who chooses God's ministers today?
3. Why did Elijah tell Elisha to go back, when Elisha started after him?
4. Why is it necessary to consecrate one's life to do the service of God?
5. How did Elisha obtain the Spirit of God that rested on Elijah?
6. How can the Spirit of God be obtained today?
7. Who can obtain the Spirit of God today? Give Scriptural reference as authority.