Called by God, 24

  ~ The Call of Elisha ~

 

Introduction ~ Posts 1 – 21 (beginning on April 16, 2022) of this series looked at aspects of the Christian calling.  Specifically, we viewed the calling of God from three aspects.  First there is the Universal Call to all mankind for salvation.  Second there is the call that all Christians receive—the Obedience Call.  Finally, there is a call which all Christians receive, but sadly few accept, the Career Call. 

 

Beginning in post 22 we started looking at Biblical examples of God calling an individual. 

 

Scripture ~ “Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’  And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

 

“So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.  Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’

 

“And he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword.  I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.’

 

“Then the Lord said to him: ‘Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.  Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel.  And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.  It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.  Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him’” (1 Kings 19:11-18). 

 

Comment ~ As noted in our last post in this series God’s call varies greatly between individuals, circumstances, and God’s sovereignty.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Elisha, 3of3

~ A Man of God: Interactions With Saints ~

The Book of 2 Kings provides three differing views in three successive chapters regarding Elisha—a “man of God”—and his relationships with others. 

In Chapter 4 we see Elisha’s interaction with the Savior.

In Chapter 5 we see Elisha’s interaction with the sinners.

In Chapter 6 we see Elisha’s interaction with the saints.

Elisha Was A “Man of God”  ~  Like Chapters 4 & 5 there are clear statements that Elisha was a “man of God” (2 Kings 6:6, 9, 10, 15).

Elisha’s Interaction With the Sons of the Prophets  ~  “And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, ‘See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us.  Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell.’  So he answered, ‘Go.’  Then one said, ‘Please consent to go with your servants.’  And he answered, ‘I will go.’  So he went with them.  And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.  But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, ‘Alas, master!  For it was borrowed.’  So the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’  And he showed him the place.  So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float.  Therefore he said, ‘Pick it up for yourself.’  So he reached out his hand and took it” (2 Kings 6:1-7).  In this third successive chapter we see the power of God continuing to be manifested through this “man of God.” 

observations  ~  First, the ax head may be a type (or symbolic) of our testimonies—our cutting edge.  Second, notice that he realized it was lost (6:5).  Third, a key step in recovering is realizing where the sinking occurred and going back to that point for confession and recovery (6:6). 

Finally, recognize that God usually does the unexpected as He rewards the faith of His children.   A couple of examples from just a little earlier in Scripture include God sending ravens to feed the starving prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:1-7) and the account of the poor widow’s bin of flour and jar of oil holding out (1 Kings 17:8-16).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

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Elisha, 2of3

~ A Man of God: Interactions With Sinners ~

The Book of 2 Kings provides three differing views in three successive chapters regarding Elisha—a “man of God”—and his relationships with others. 

In Chapter 4 we see Elisha’s interaction with the Savior.

In Chapter 5 we see Elisha’s interaction with the sinners.

In Chapter 6 we see Elisha’s interaction with the saints.

Elisha Was A “Man of God”  ~  Like Chapter 4 there are clear statements that Elisha was a “man of God” (2 Kings 5:8, 14 15, 20).

Elisha Interacts With Naaman  ~  “Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria.  He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.  And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel.  She waited on Naaman’s wife.  Then she said to her mistress, ‘If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria!  For he would heal him of his leprosy’” (2 Kings 5:1-3).  Leprosy in that day was like a “dead man walking.”  It was symbolic of sin—and there was no cure except directly from God. 

As this historical account of the miracle of healing leprosy continues (5:1-19) we find some very interesting interactions.  First, note the words of witness from the captive young Jewish girl (5:2-3).  Next we find words of cleansing in the letter from the King of Syria to the King of Israel (5:5-6).  Next are words of assurance from Elisha to the King of Israel (5:8).  Then we see more words of assurance to Naaman himself from his servants (5:11-13). 

additional comments  ~  “And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean’” (2 Kings 5:10).  Two quick comments.  First, the Jordan River is a muddy dead river, known as “the river of death,” which ends in the Dead Sea—hardly a place for cleansing from a human perspective.  Second, as is well known, seven in Scripture often represents completeness and perfection. 

applications  ~  First, as we see in verse 11 Naaman was expecting drama, but was given simplicity.  Second, verse 12 confirms what we often have to learn: God’s ways are different than man’s ways!  Third, in contrast to Captain Naaman who was a free man but dead the Israeli captive girl was actually the one who was free!  Fourth, Naaman was able to make a change in thinking based on evidence (verse 15, “now I know”).  Have you, like Naaman, come to know the One and only True God? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .