Elisha, who replaced Elijah as Prophet to the northern Kingdom of Israel with its capital in Samaria prophesied from roughly 850 B.C.-800 B.C. The Bible states that Elisha was the son of a wealthy farmer as indicative of his plowing with 12 yoke of oxen when Elijah came to him (1 Kings 19: 19). Elisha’s family appears to have lived a pious quiet life as farmers until Elijah casts his mantle upon Elisha. Elisha appears to have no experience in preaching and his ministry is contained in 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2 through 13.
In (1 Kings 19: 19), Elijah finds Elisha plowing with 12 yoke of oxen and cast his mantle upon him as an indication of Elijah’s passing of his ministry to Elisha. Elisha burned his plow, slew the yoke of oxen, gave the meat unto the people gathered, and left to follow Elijah. These acts symbolized Elisha’s closure of his former life and acceptance of his calling for God’s ministry
(1 Kings 19: 19-21).
When Elijah was taken from the presence of Elisha in a chariot of fire, Elisha saw this and received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit from the Lord God
(2 Kings 2: 12). When the sons of the prophets saw Elisha, they bowed unto him saying, “The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. Thus began the ministry of Elisha.
Because Elisha had requested a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit, Elisha performed among other activities twice the miracles that Elijah had done. Elisha became a powerful, Spirit-empowered Prophet and miracle worker after succeeding Elijah as God’s primary representative in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His ministry was characterized by acts of compassion
(2 Kings 4: 34-35), providing for the needy (2 Kings 4: 42-44), healing the sick (2 Kings 5: 1-14), and advising kings during a turbulent, idolatrous era (2 Kings 6: 15-20).
The last time that Elisha is mentioned is in (2 Kings 13: 20-21) after his death and burial; in haste a dead body being taken for burial, was cast inside the sepulcher where Elisha was buried. When the body touched the bones of Elisha, the body came back to life.
How does Elisha’s life affect us today?
Elisha was the son of a well-to-do father as evident of Elisha’s plowing the fields with 12 yoke of oxen. When asked by Elijah to follow him in ministry, Elisha immediately left his family and inheritance and followed Elijah
(1 Kings 19: 19-21).
How quickly do we respond to God’s calling us to leave our families, our lives that we have established and to step out into the “Unknown by Faith”? The greatest commandment of the Lord encourages us to be soul winners; go, tell about Him, and baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost. The hardest parts are to convict and save.
These last two parts are God’s responsibilities, however.
Elisha had asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elisha saw the importance of God’s work and knew he needed more of Elijah’s spirit to overshadow his own inabilities (Isa. 40: 29) (Isa. 41: 10) (Phil. 4: 13)!
Serious Christians should always be aware of the declaration of Jesus, “The harvest is still great and “growing”, but the laborers are few and “getting fewer” (Matt.9: 37).
Do we ever consider asking God for more of his Spirit (Luke 11: 13) to strengthen us (Acts 1: 8), (Eph. 6: 19-20), (2 Tim. 1: 7-8) open our eyes of faith (2 Kings 6: 17), and fill us with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5: 18) that we might better please the Lord and become better soul winners?
Paul writes that if we spoke in tongues, exercised the gift of prophecy, had understanding of all mysteries and all knowledge, and had the faith to move mountains, it would mean nothing if we did not reflect in our lives charity or love (1 Cor. 13) for others. What better example of reflecting our love for someone than to share God’s atoning sacrifice on the Cross of Christ for sin debt payment to redeem us back to the heavenly Father. (Rom. 6: 23) (John 15: 13)
Love is a gift from God that cannot be hidden; whatsoever is in the heart cometh out the mouth (Matt. 12: 34). How are we doing as did Elisha and Elijah did to show our love for the Lord in reflecting God’s love (Matt. 26: 11)
(John 14: 26)?
The words of (James 4: 2) state that we often have not because we fail to ask for guidance and wisdom before seeking direction in our lives. Is it not true that to follow the Lord’s commandment, we should check with the Lord first, to see what the commandment to be shared consists of?
Elisha’s life for God was easily recognized by other people and prophets as having the Spirit of God resting upon him. Can people see Christ in us
) doing what He has called us to do? (Matt. 6: 3) (John 13: 35) (Matt. 7: 16) (John 15: 13)?
Elisha’s call for working in God’s harvest began when Elijah acknowledged that he had finished his work on earth. It should be noted that when the harvest has ended, work is over, and workers are taken home or sent away. The harvest is still being sought, however. Until the Trump of God declares, “Time has ended, and the Harvest is over”, the Lord of the Field commands, “Send forth more laborers into the harvest (Matt. 28: 19-20)!
Would we qualify as laborers or harvest? (Matt. 7: 16)
We need to know before we die, however. (1 John: 5: 13)
The heavenly Father awaits our answer. (Heb. 9: 27)
(2 Cor. 6: 2) (Matt. 18: 18)
Sower's Field by L. Michael Schoonover 