When Elijah found Elisha plowing his field, he ‘cast his mantle’ on this faithful man who was one of the choice 7,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18,19). Even though a mantle is a simple coat, it was a sign of Elijah’s authority as the prophet and Elisha knew what this simple gesture meant. He was chosen as the understudy and future successor of Elijah. Out of this simple act, the phrase ‘mantle of the prophet’ has come to mean the calling and office of the prophet. (see The Old Testament Student Manual Book 2 p 62)
Before Elisha walked away from his effluent life to take up his calling, he ensured the Lord knew his commitment to break with his past life was complete. He slaughtered the 12 oxen he was plowing with and destroyed the farming implements. He then built a fire with the plowing equipment and cooked the oxen and gave it to people to eat as a sign of his willingness to serve them (1 Kings 19:21).
As his understudy, Elisha’s devotion to Elijah and his new calling became very obvious. Elijah’s life was wanted far and wide by King Ahab yet Elisha stayed by his side. Three times he declared to fleeing Elijah: “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee” (2 Kings 2:2,4,6).
To say that Elisha had big shoes to fill would be an understatement. He had a gentle disposition without Elijah’s fiery zeal. Having witnessed Elijah's mighty miracles and his acts of service, his desire to follow in his footsteps and to measure up as Israel’s prophet was obvious when Elijah asked him before he was translated, what request he had of him and Elisha replied: "I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me" (2 Kings 2:9).. Elijah assured him that if Elisha gets to witness his departure, that will be a sign to him that it will be as he desired.
This indeed did
happen for Elisha came to witness Elijah's ascension and the desire of his
heart was fulfilled. His ministry lasted more than 50 years and was very
similar in nature to that of his master teacher. Among his many prophecies as
Israel's prophet, he performed miraculous acts:
- He
parted river Jordan (2 Kings 2:8)
- He
healed and provided continual water (2 Kings 2:19-22, 2 Kings 3:9, 16-20)
- He
changed water's appearance to blood (2 Kings 3:22)
- He
multiplied the widow's oil (2 Kings 4:2-7)
- He
raised the widow's son from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-35)
- He
healed food that was poisonous (2 Kings 4:40-41)
- He
healed Namaan of leprosy (2 Kings 5:14)
- He
caused the sunken axe head to float (2 Kings 6:5-7)
- He
caused blindness to come upon the Syrian army (2 Kings 6:18-24)
- He
fed 100 men with only twenty loaves and some grain and had food left over
(2 Kings 4:42-44)
- He
prophesied about future events (2 Kings 3:16-19; 7:1-2; 8:10-13; 13:17-19)
Impressive isn’t it? Elisha accomplished an incredible lot in his years
of service but nothing stands out to me more than the strength of his faith that
made all he did possible. Studying his life made me see that no matter how
wonderful people are that went before us, our value is no less. As powerful as
Elijah was, Elisha was not less powerful. Different people, different
disposition, different qualities but yet the same powerful results. We of this
dispensation can shine as bright as those that went before us. Our time is
different but the enemy is still out there and our battlefield is here and now.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Artist Unknown)
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