Calling and Purpose 55—Mentoring and Serving—Elijah and Elisha
God directs Elijah to anoint Elisha as his replacement—labeled in the NIV as “The Call of Elisha”. God chooses. God calls. God appoints. But often there is a period of mentoring, of training, of wisdom being passed down from the seasoned to the newly-anointed. Even though Elisha is to succeed Elijah (who is tired and has been profoundly depressed and alone), we read that Elisha left all he had and “set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.”
Second Kings 3:11 says that in the king’s court, after Elijah is gone, an officer remembered Elisha as the one who “used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” Elisha first serves. Walks alongside his master/teacher/mentor. Cares for the needs of. Enters the courts of kings. Watches. Listens. Learns. Develops discernment. Acquires knowledge. Participates in practices. Gains understanding in how to be faithful, courageous, bold, rely on God, hear His voice. Observes integrity and character formed by the Lord in Elijah in action.
Time passes. Maybe not enough by Elisha’s reckoning. There’s always more to learn. The Lord then somehow makes clear to both Elijah and Elisha that He is preparing to call Elijah homeward, to heaven, in short order. Elijah instructs Elisha to stay behind—but Elisha refuses “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” They travel together to Bethel where a group of prophets confirm for Elisha that “the Lord is going to take your master from you today.”
Elijah again tries to ditch Elisha (is it a test of his loyalty? Of his readiness? Another sort of lesson? A desire to be alone during Elijah’s last moments on earth?). Elisha again refuses to leave. His dedication to his master/mentor is absolute. They travel together to Jericho. The Jericho prophets also verify for Elisha that his master will be taken from him that very day. This repeats and they walk to the Jordan where Elijah parts the waters and they cross over.
Elijah asks what he can do for Elisha before he is taken—and Elisha asks for a “double portion” of the Spirit that is upon Elijah. Elisha is promised that if he keeps watch and sees Elijah spirited up to heaven, that double portion will be his. Then “suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” Elisha keeps watch and doesn’t miss this moment.
Elisha no longer has Elijah to lead. Elisha is the prophet-leader. The prophet-witnesses affirm, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” We then see Elisha repeat many miracles similar to that of Elijah: parting the waters of the Jordan, purifying the waters of Jericho, speaking truth to kings. God uses Elisha in the miracle of the multiplied, abundant olive oil (similar to the miracle of multiplied, abundant flour in Elijah’s ministry), in raising a dead son to life (parallel in Elijah’s ministry), in feeding a hundred from a small amount, and more.
Elisha also encounters opposition and mistreatment. It is likely these come as no surprise to him, having traveled and worked under Elijah for some time. He is used to the itinerant life, traveling the length and breadth of the land, according to the Lord’s direction.
Reflect:
· Do you have a sense of your own calling from God? Does it include mentoring another with a similar or perhaps different purpose?
· How intentional might you be with your mentee in passing along wisdom, training in discernment, practicing listening to and hearing the Lord, cultivating courage and boldness?
· If you are the mentee, how willing are you to humble yourself and serve your mentor—in ways that position you to learn and grow the most? Are you committed, dedicated to your time/s together, making the most of them?
· How do you know as a mentor when your mentee is “ready” to go forward on their own? What character traits or spiritual practices would you hope to observe?
Read 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2, 3, 4 for these stories.
Additional Resources:
• Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Equipping Ministries Director at her church since 1999.
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© Photo by Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.