THE MANTLE OF ELISHA
(2 Kings 2:13)
Preached by: Carolyn Sissom
Sunday, Novembe 15, 2009
2 Ki. 2:13: "He (Elisha) took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him."
"Elijah went up by a whirlwind to Heaven" (V. 12) I feel like I have been through a whirlwind in the past two weeks. I also know there are spiritual and physical changes round about. This past weekend, our family faced death at Don’s side. As Shanna so aptly stated, “I saw Daddy raised from the dead.” Don’s days are not yet finished on earth. The Lord Himself will set the number of his days and the fullness of his time. Blessed Be The Name of the Lord. On Nov. 1, 2009, I preached on The Elijah Company. There was a close resemblance between Elijah and Elisha. Both of them were prophets, both dwelt in Samaria, and were confronted with much the same situation. Elisha became a partaker of a “Double Portion” of Elijah’s Spirit. Elisha worked 16 miracles and Elijah worked 8 miracles. Both men had authority over death.
The principle contrast between the two prophets appears in the character of the miracles wrought. The majority of those performed by Elijah were associated with death and destruction, whereas Elisha’s were works of healing and restoration. If the former was the prophet of judgment, the latter was the prophet of Grace. The work of Elijah was chiefly a protest against evil, while the work of Elisha was an almost continuous testimony to the readiness of God to relieve the distressed, and respond to the call of need.
However, the Lord instructed Elijah to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria; and Jehu the son of Nimshi shall you anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat you shall anoint to be a prophet in your place. (1 Ki. 19:15-16). Elijah only actually performed the anointing of Elisha. It was Elisha who anointed Hazael and Jehu. The Lord revealed Himself through both ministries as the Sovereign One as well as many other dimensions:
4: 1-7 – The Provider in need.
4: 8-17 – The Rewarder for acts of kindness.
4: 18-37 – The One Who has power over death.
5: 1-19 – The Sanctifier and Healer.
5: 20-27 – The Omniscient One.
6: 8-23 – The Lord of Hosts.
6:24-31 – The God of Judgment (Deut. 28:53)
The life of Elisha demonstrates preparatory principles of the Lord’s chosen ministry leadership. We see the training and tests that many servants of God must undergo. Much took place between Elisha touching Elijah’s mantle and the actual reception of Elijah’s mantle.
19: 19-20: “So he departed, and found Elisha, the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth; and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.” The Hebrew word for “Mantle” used here is “Addereth” (#155, 117, 145) which means “something ample; garment, goodly, glory, robe, powerful, excellent, famous, gallant, lordly, mighty, noble, worthy, splendor.” Nice Garment.!!!! This also constituted a species of adoption. Notice the older did not try to persuade the younger. Elisha was the son of a man named Shaphat of the city of Abel-meholah. Shaphat means “judge”. Elisha would have been a man of proper spiritual judgment due to his heritage. Abel-meholah means dancing. Elisha would have been a man of “joy”.
Elisha's contact with the anointing of Elijah was a life-changing experience. A leader must know for what specific ministry and place God has anointed him before he can be prepared for that ministry.
Elisha's call was loud and clear. (Vs. 16)
He knew how to slay with the sword. (vs.21) “He took a yoke of oxen and slew them” He was respectful to his parents. However, a leader must be willing to make known to his family and friends in a very practical way that he is sacrificing his old life-style in order to be a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the testing of Elisha’s affections.
Many will try to cause God’s servants to stumble by leading a life of duplicity. There can be no duplicity for the Servants of the Lord. We must not have a divided heart. A leader must have a servant’s heart.
As long as Elijah’s ministry continued, Elisha served him (1 Ki. 19:21), much as Joshua had served Moses. “He went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.” This is one of the principles of the Lord’s chosen. A leader must never be too proud to be just a servant to other ministries. Then he/she will have others help him/her in their ministry. A leader must learn how to be a good student of those over him.
God's leader must be persistent to take up a greater mantle. We will each be tested that the Lord will be able to trust the response that we give to the question of 11 Kg. 2:9, “Ask what I shall do for you.” Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” And he said, You have asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so unto you; but if not, it shall not be so.”
When Elijah said he had asked a hard things, I don’t think he meant it was too hard for God. He knew Elisha would have to pay a high price for a double portion. The Lord would not give him more trials than he could bear or more anointing than he could minister triumphantly. This was a test of Elisha’s character. The Lord’s chosen can ask great things for their ministry, nation and generation. A leader must understand that to ask for great things will require the spiritual conditions of obedience, revelation and insight. A leader must respect and be relational with Father God in the Father/Son relationship as was Jesus Christ. Elisha was tested in his sincerity, faith and commitment when Elijah told him to “tarry here”. Elisha replied as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” (2 Ki. 2:2) His will and resolution was tested by the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel. Elijah replied, hold your peace. (11 Ki. 2:3) He was also tested after the endowment of the mantle when he smote the waters with Elijah’s mantle. (2 Ki. 13-14) A leader must realize that only God makes a way for their ministry. We must rest and know that if we are to be used of the Lord, He will confirm it. Other ministries will recognize the gifts and callings. After Elijah’s mantle fell on Elisha, (11 Ki: 2 15) “The sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said. The spirit of Elijah does rest on Elisha.” We must never allow the pressures that come through other leaders to cause us to doubt the will of God. (11 Ki. 2:15). The sons of the prophets sent 50 strong men to look for the body of Elijah. These men were naturally strong, but weak in faith; they were rationalistic. There were several miracles that were purposed in view of the fact that they all relate to the sons of the prophets: 2: 14-15 –to teach them the fact and secret of divine credentials.2: 19-22 – To teach them by demonstration the secret of performing miracles.(the healing of the waters in the city).2:23-24 – To teach them by the fear of God and respect unto his servants the prophets. The children were mocking him because of his bald head. Elijah called forth the bears to killed 42 of them. This reminds of a little story of my own. Many years ago, a pastor told me that some people had come to him in his congregation and told him they were scared of me. I smiled and said, “I won’t call out the bears”.4: 38-41 – To teach the power of God in its supremacy over the power of poison. Again the sons of the prophets discovered the pottage was poison. Elijah cast meal into the pot and there was no harm in the pot. The herbs and wild vine which had been added to the pot represents the contamination of a worldly mixture. The principle of the meal offering of Lev. 2. Plenty in a time of famine! Elisha poured it into the pot, and the others began to pour it out for consumption (Pastoral principle). 6: 1-7: When he made the axe head swim, he taught them the fact of God’s supremacy over the laws of nature. As a leader Elijah knew that praise releases ministry. (3:15-20) “But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. We must all follow the good example of seasoned ministry. We all hope that our ceiling will be the floor of the next generation. However, I honor and appreciate the great men and women of God who have spoken into my life. We must teach people to combine God’s resources with their own to bring forth a life of spiritual anointing and fruitfulness. The certain woman who was a wife of one of the son’s of the prophet only owned a “pot of oil”. She had to be willing to pour out all she had to receive her miracle. Ministers must know how to receive from others. (4:8-17). He received the blessing of the bread, a little chamber, a bed, table, and candlestick from “a great woman and her husband” These four things are necessary to the prophetic ministry:
- Bed – The rest of the Lord.
- Table – The fellowship of the Lord.
- Stool – (Chair) – The authority of the Lord (Throne)
- Candlestick – The illumination (revelation) of the Lord.
As we receive, let us return thanks and bless. As he was resting there one day with Gehazi his servant, The prophet said, “Call the Shunammite.” Those who honor Elisha will be honored. “What is to be done for you? Would you have me speak for you to the King or to the Captain of the Host? She contentedly replied, “I dwell among my own people.” Elisha had great influence with the King! The woman had no child and her husband was old. “Call her!” This is the commission of the prophetic ministry that precedes a manifestation of the Son. The church is standing in the door to hear this message. (Jn. 10: 1-7). “About this season, according to the Time of Life, you shall embrace a son!” (4:16) So she conceived and bares a son according to the word! (4: 23-26). When the child was grown…He went out to his father to the reapers and he said to his father, My head, my head, and he said to the lad, Carry him to his mother. He sat on her knees and he died at noon. The woman laid her Son upon the bed of Elisha, shut the door and went out, leaving him alone. (4:21). She took a servant, saddled an ass, and ran to Elisha. “Drive and go forward, slack not…” From Mt. Carmel, Elisha saw her afar of and sent Gehazi to meet her. In the face of death, there is peace! Coming to the hill, the Shunammite held Elisha by the feet. “let her alone, for her soul is vexed within her.” “Lay my staff upon the face of the child.” The rod or branch principle speaks of authority. So we speak in the name of Jesus! But there was no voice or hearing. Gehazi met them, “The youth is not awakened!”. Elisha went in, shut the door, and prayed. (4:33) Elisha’s touch made the child to be warm, to sneeze 7 times, and to revive. “Take up your son!” 4:42-44 The miracle of the loaves -- the feeding of the hundred men: A minister must use what he has and have faith for more. “And there came a man from Baal-Shalisha (Lord of the third part”. This is the principle of the third dimension, the realm of the Most Holy Place. ). He brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk.” The message of the Kingdom, a Firstfruits Company, and coming to full stature. “Give unto the people that they may eat!” The servitor said, “What should I set this before a hundred men?” (100-fold principle). “They shall eat, and shall have leftovers!: So it was by the Word of the Lord! God’s ministers must main dignity in the face of politically or educationally prestigious people who flaunt themselves. 5: 1-10: This is the healing of Naaman the Leper This is a detailed picture of the natural man, enjoying the highest and best, but yet unregenerate. Leprosy in the O.T. is a type of sin.
- It begins as a small, insignificant sport or blemish.
- It is not recognized by the individual at the first.
- It is progressive in degrees according to the individual
- It affects the whole man; worst kind – forehead.
- It causes the hair to fall out.
- It causes numbness.
- It brings estrangement from the camp.
- It is incurable – no natural remedy.
- It is healed by Jesus alone. (Mt. 8:3; Mk. 1:41; Lk. 5:12; 17;12)
Naaman’s wife had an Israelite maid. She told of the prophet that is in Samaria. “I will send a letter unto the king of Israel.” When the King read the letter, he was very upset, He said, “am I god, that I should kill and make alive… he seeks a quarrel against me.” So Jehoram rent his clothes. Elisha heard it and sent for Naaman.. Naaman’s pride has to be dealt with. The remedy was too simple and demanded a complete submission. Naaman came with his horses and chariots (human strength) to the door of the house of Elisha. The prophet sent a messenger to the proud Naaman; “Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again unto you, and you shall be clean.” Naaman went away disappointed and angry. Elisha hadn’t waved the magic wand. He left in a rage. But his servants persuaded him to obey the word of Elisha: “Wash, and be clean!” Then he went down from his chariot and dipped himself seven times in Jordan. (full baptism of death to self). His flesh came again like unto flesh of a child. This is the principle of rejuvenation! This could be prophetic that Syria will return to the Lord and acknowledge the God of Israel. Naaman asked Elisha to receive a blessing. Naaman had sought help from a man of position instead of from a man of power, and had expected healing by his own pre-conceived instrumentality and method. God had dealt first with Naaman’s pride in sanctification, and then with his physical need in healing by means of humiliation and obedience in a manner that would bring all the Glory to God. Tonight I will finish the story of Naaman and the exploits of Elisha. Carolyn Sissom, PastorEastgate Ministries, Inc.www.eastgateministries.comScripture from K.J.V. Bibliography – Principles of Present Truth by: Kelly Varner. Comments and conclusions are my own.
