[1KG:18:41-45]. [2KG:2:14]. [2KG:4:1-7], [2KG:4:18-35]. [1KG:17:10-24]. [2KG:3:9-20]. [2KG:8:7-10]. [1KG:21:19-22]. [2KG:2:8], [2KG:2:11];[2KG:2:12]. [2KG:13:14-21].
Lesson 318 - Senior
Memory Verse
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way" (Psalm 37:23).
Cross References
I Elijah's and Elisha's Lives Paralleled
1. Both prophets smote the waters of Jordan to gain a passage, [2KG:2:8]; [2KG:2:14]. 2. Elijah and Elisha were each instrumental in bringing water to relieve distress, [1KG:18:41-45]; [2KG:3:9-20]. 3. Two separate widows received aid and comfort in time of need by the ministry of Elijah and Elisha, [1KG:17:10-16]; [2KG:4:1-7]. 4. Both Elijah and Elisha interceded with God, and caused sons to be brought back to life again, [1KG:17:17-24]; [2KG:4:18-35]. 5. Vengeance was called down upon unbelievers by Elijah and Elisha, [2KG:1:9-12]; [2KG:2:23-25]. 6. Elijah's life ended on earth when he was taken to Heaven in a whirlwind, [2KG:2:11-12]. 7. Elisha died of a sickness, yet his body retained the marvellous resurrection power of God, [2KG:13:14-21].Notes
Prophets of God
The casual reader of the Bible sometimes confuses the persons of Elijah and Elisha. Their names are similar, and they laboured together for a season in the work of God. Both these men performed great miracles, and their influence was powerfully felt in Israel. Even so, the personality and character of Elijah and Elisha were very different.Elijah, the Tishbite
A consideration of the life of Elijah compared with Elisha's, his successor, will be of interest. Elijah appeared on the pages of Israel's turbulent history without introduction or announcement. His first recorded message was as dramatic as his appearance. His message was one that presaged dark days for Israel. "There shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word" was the letter of introduction with which Elijah introduced himself to Israel as a prophet of God. We do not know just how much instant acceptance of the prophetic message there was with Ahab, the king, when the message was first received, but the lack of rain soon proved Elijah to be a true prophet of God. The country was searched for this messenger of calamity, but he could not be found. He was an instrument of God, and God protected him. Elijah's ministry was one that fought the flagrant and wholesale vice and sin that was engulfing Israel, the chosen people of God. He stands out on the pages of the Word of God as a monument of integrity, and a fiery apostle of God's anger against sin. It has been said that when a prophet of God arrives to declare a message to the people, often the judgment of God is but a step behind. It seems to have been true of Elijah. Elijah was much of the time a solitary soul, for he appeared only from time to time from some obscure hiding place to denounce sin. He did not seem to move much in the daily life of Israel, and was on the scene only occasionally. Elijah's messages to the people were often stern reminders that God will not at all acquit the wicked; and as often as not, the fiery judgment of God fell upon sinners as a terrible warning to others. The prophets of Baal felt the power of Elijah's God, and they lost their lives in the encounter for daring to defy the God of Heaven. Ahab and Jezebel were both denounced by Elijah for their terrible wickedness, and the judgment of God was pronounced upon them. While Elijah did many kind and considerate acts for the people of Israel, his primary purpose seemed to have been the overthrow of idolatry. To carry on such a denouncement of sin, it was necessary for God to have a man who was very intense in his feeling for God's righteousness and God's cause. Elijah was a man whose person and character were such that they lent themselves readily to that calling. Be that as it may, we know also that Elijah "was a man subject to like passions as we are" [JAM:5:17]). Elijah loved God deeply, and because he did love God with all his being, he must have loved the people of Israel as well. If a man loves God he will love the souls of men as well, because the love of God is so deeply concerned with the souls of men. It might be supposed that Elijah could not have loved the people of Israel very deeply and still have called the terrible wrath of God down upon them time after time. The answer to that question is that the tolerance of sin is no evidence of love. "God is love" and yet God is the chief enemy of all unrighteousness. The removal of sin by God is a kindness that can hardly be reckoned in earthly values. The widespread practice of idol worship was the damning sin that brought God's displeasure against the nation. There was only one remedy for such a situation, and that was the eradication of the practice of idolatry. Elijah desired the true worship of God to be restored, and was very zealous to perform such work. There could be no rain in Israel until there was a turning of the people's hearts again toward God. It is paradoxical that the hand, which the Lord uses to strike the hardest against sin, is motivated by the truest kind of love and charity for the one who is struck. That such motives are misunderstood is not uncommon, and the one who may be the most zealous for the worship of God may be accused, as was Elijah, of being the chief troubler of the people. Elijah was not insensible to the criticism and opposition he faced, for he had a period of despondency and discouragement after his great victory over the prophets of Baal. Still, it is not the one who has run well for a season that shall be saved, but rather he that endureth to the end. Elijah emerged the victor over his discouragement, and we may do the same. How God did honour and bless this precious man of God! His end was one of the most triumphant and glorious of any recorded in the Word of God. Caught up in a whirlwind to meet his Lord, surrounded by heavenly hosts! "There appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, . . . and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." Who would not want to go in that way? Israel lost a great champion when Elijah was taken Home by his Lord.Elisha, the Son of Shaphat
Elisha was chosen of God to be Elijah's successor. It is not given to any man to do all the work of God. Each of us is called to some phase of God's work that we can do if we will. Elijah had striven hard for the restoration of the worship of God in Israel, and his ministry had a telling effect upon the people. He had struck some mighty blows for God, but now the time had come to anoint his successor. In the work of the Lord, it is each man to his own calling. A certain phase of the work of God was accomplished by Elijah, and then his work was done. Elisha then succeeded Elijah and carried on the work of God from there, although in a different manner. "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all" [1CO:12:4-6]). It is debated sometimes who was the greater, Elijah or Elisha? This borders on being a useless and unlearned question, which Paul advises us to avoid. (See [2TM:2:23]; [1TM:1:4].) They were both great men of God, each in his own calling and manner. The saint of God should desire to follow them in their examples of piety and holiness, and not strive to be great over his brethren, or greater than any of his brethren. Elisha is remembered as much for his desire to have a "double portion" of the Spirit of God as he is for anything else. Elisha dared to ask much of God, and the consequences were that he received much from God. Elisha's ministry is more in keeping with the dispensation of the Holy Ghost, and the outpouring of the Latter Rain, than with the age of the prophets. The beginning of his ministry might be described as a typical of those who seek and receive power from on High through the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Elisha lived a life of complete victory, and we have no record of any period of despondency such as Elijah passed through. He performed miracles as great as those of Elijah, and performed more of them than any prophet other than Moses.Resurrection Power
The death of Elisha was not a triumphant parting such as he had been a witness to when Elijah was taken into Heaven. Elisha died of a sickness; but even though his passing was not a spectacular one, there was much that was not commonplace with him after his death. A man who was about to be buried elsewhere, was hastily thrust into the sepulchre of Elisha because marauders were near. When the dead man's body came into contact with Elisha's bones, the man came to life. It was by the resurrection power that was in that saint of God. Jesus said unto Martha: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" [JHN:11:25]). Again we read: "If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you" [ROM:8:11]).