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Author: Ron Graham

History of IsraelTimes of Israel series

Elisha’s Adventures
—And his taking up of Elijah’s mantle

Time: 6. Kingdom Divided
Span" 200 years
Books: 2Kings, 2Chronicles, Isaiah, Amos, Jonah, Hosea, Micah
Figures: Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah
Begins with: Rebellion of the ten tribes
Ascendant empire: Assyria

After Elijah left this world, his disciple Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and ministry. This lesson is about Elisha.

1 The Cry of Elisha

As Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha cried out, " My father, my father! The chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" (2Kings 2:11-12).

When Elisha was dying, king Joash repeated these same words (2Kings 13:14). Elisha and Joash saw things differently to most people. We can appreciate that Elisha had special insight when we consider his statement quoted above.

"my father"

Elisha perceived and respected the godliness in a holy person, as a good son respects a good father —not like the foolish youths who mocked Elisha calling him "Baldy!".

"the chariot"

Elisha Recognized the presence of God and his hosts —not like the servant of Elisha who failed to perceive the chariots of fire till Elisha prayed, "LORD open his eyes that he may see".

"of Israel"

Elisha understood the glory of God's kingdom —not like the many wicked kings who walked in darkness.

2 The Main Point

Behind this story is the faith and faithfulness of a man devoted to God and to the spirit and power of his "father".

Unless we are fortunate, we may not be much of ourselves, and perhaps our own father might not have been much either, yet we can look to Jesus as a father figure or elder brother.

He is not the Heavenly Father, of course. He is the Son. Yet, he is a "Father" to us (Isaiah 9:6) in much the same sense that Elisha called Elijah "My father", and Joash in turn called Elisha the same.

As disciples of Christ, we can be imbued with the spirit and power of Christ who has gone into heaven before us, just as Elisha was imbued with the spirit and power of Elijah after he was taken up.

3 Bible Summary (2Kings 2-13)

4 A Few Facts About Elisha


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