The Call of God to Old Testament Characters

Lesson 10

Lesson Text—I Kings 19:19-20

I Kings 19:19-2019 So he departed thence, 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.

Lesson Text—I Kings 19:19-20

20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

Lesson Text—I Kings 19:21

I Kings 19:21And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

Lesson Text—II Kings 2:11-13

II Kings 2:11-1311 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Lesson Text—II Kings 2:11-13

12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and

stood by the bank of Jordan.

Focus Verse—I Kings 19:16

I Kings 19:16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt

thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of

Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy

room.

Focus Thought

God makes long-range plans for our

lives that include choosing our

successors.

I. God Controls Our FutureCulture ConnectionTiming Is Everything

Recently, I was thinking about the importance of timing in life, especially with regard to the continuing ministry of the church. Whatever God has called a person to do within His church, the timing of one’s entry into that ministry, as well as his or her departure, is vital. Further, one must plan for both that departure and for recognizing the God-appointed successor to continuing that ministry

effectively.

I. God Controls Our FutureIn my contemplation, I discovered

the website everythingistiming.com. On the introductory page to that site, Wayne Warrington writes, “Throughout our lives we spend way more time thinking about where we have been than where we are going. Do you find yourself sitting in contemplation at times wondering ‘What If!’ What if I had chosen this path vs. the one I am on? What if I had made this change, married this person, finished my degree, left that job? . . .

I. God Controls Our FutureFor several years, I have focused on Timing is Everything when in fact a truer statement may be ‘Timing is Everything when you ACT!’ When you take action! When you remember that the past no longer exists in life, it is just what it is....The Past! Try living your future, one day at a time, one step at a time, one action at a time.”

Leave your past in the hands of God and focus on the future, continuing to give your best both in plans and action for continuing ministry within the church.

I. God Controls Our FutureContemplating the Topic

The call of God on His children and the work of God are two very important and long-lasting aspects of the kingdom. They do not cease at the close of one man’s ministry, but they continue on in the heart and life of a successor. In these troubling times as we rapidly approach the catching away of the Bride, the smooth continuance of the work of the Lord is of paramount importance.

Transparency 1

I. God Controls Our FutureThe baton of responsibility must be

handed carefully to a successor. The person responsible to execute this transferring of the mantle should not take it lightly, but prayerfully and seriously.

The ministry of Jesus was to train men who would continue the work of the Kingdom after their upper room experience. Jesus took time and effort to mentor men who were already busy in the growing and demanding work of the Lord.

Matthew 5:1-2

“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them”

(Matthew 5:1-2).

I. God Controls Our FutureThe successor who assumes responsibility for the work of the Lord can become stabilized in his new venture through prayer, study, and the help of a mentor.

I. God Controls Our FutureSearching The Scriptures

God Controls Our Future

The psalmist David expressed the sentiments of the heart of a man of God: “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness” (Psalm 143:10). It is a privilege to place one’s future in God’s hands.

A. God Decides When Our Work Is Finished

A. God Decides When Our Work Is Finished

One of the most difficult decisions one in ministry will face is when to pass the mantle of responsibility to his successor. It requires proper discernment to know when it is time to step back and allow another to step forward, and it requires foresight since the leader must prepare his successor in advance of the transition. Moreover, it requires spiritual sensitivity since it ultimately is the Lord who chooses

successors.

I. God Controls Our FutureWhen Moses perceived that his

responsibility of leading the people of Israel would soon come to a close, he charged Joshua, his successor: “Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee” (Deuteronomy 31:23). “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD

commanded Moses” (Deuteronomy 34:9).

I. God Controls Our FutureThe Lord also powerfully confirmed

Joshua’s new responsibility. “Now after the death of Moses . . . the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people. . . . There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:1-2, 5).

I. God Controls Our FutureIn his letter to Timothy, Paul made it

clear that his own ministry was drawing to a close: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (II Timothy 4:7). He issued a charge to this young minister whom he referred to as “my own son in the faith” (I Timothy 1:2). “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ . . . Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. . . .

I. God Controls Our FutureBut watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (II Timothy 4:1-2, 5).

B. God Chooses Our SuccessorB. God Chooses Our

Successor

God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king of Israel. This king would accede to the throne of Saul who had reigned forty years.

I Samuel 16:11-12“And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he

said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he

keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till

he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. . . . And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is

he.

I Samuel 16:13

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from

that day forward” (I Samuel 16:11-13).

I. God Controls Our FutureSome onlookers are surprised

when they see whom the Lord chooses to step into the position of leadership. The family of Jesse certainly did not believe God would choose the youngest son to be the next king of Israel. Jesse himself apparently thought Samuel would choose one of his three eldest sons. The possibility the prophet would choose his youngest son was so remote he did not even send for David when Samuel asked to see “all” of

Jesse’s sons.

I. God Controls Our FutureIt is often difficult for us when God overrules our idea of whom the successor should be.

Romans 11:33-34

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of

God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past

finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?”

(Romans 11:33-34).

Isaiah 55:9

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”

(Isaiah 55:9).

I. God Controls Our FutureGod’s choice will always be the one

who will bring the greatest benefit to the kingdom of God.

A. Elijah Was Known in IsraelGod Gave Elijah a Ministry of

Miracles

A. Elijah Was Known in Israel

Elijah’s ministry spanned the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah. As a spokesman of God, Elijah’s first mission was to confront King Ahab and announce an impending drought. “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (I Kings 17:1).

I. God Controls Our FutureAhab and his wicked wife Jezebel had slain many of the prophets of Jehovah and “troubled Israel” by diverting their worship to Baal, thus reaping the judgment of God. Three years later as the land baked like pottery in a kiln, Elijah stepped up to Ahab who said with scorn, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” (I Kings 18:17). Even before Elijah uttered a word, his very presence galled Ahab who blamed the prophet for the drought.

I. God Controls Our FutureWithout fear or favor, Elijah countered that Ahab and the kings who had preceded him were the troublers of Israel. Their wickedness and idolatry had incurred the drought. Elijah challenged the king to arrange a confrontation between the prophet of God and the prophets of Baal.

I. God Controls Our FutureRecipients of the words of a true prophet do not always appreciate or even believe them. However, on Mount Carmel when Jehovah answered by fire, the people fell on their faces and cried, “The LORD, he is the God” (I Kings 18:39). Although Ahab resisted doing so, the people acknowledged the leadership and authority of the true God and his prophet Elijah.

B. Elijah Was Honored by GodB. Elijah Was Honored by God

During the drought God had instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath and reside with a widow who would provide for him. This seemed illogical: with no one to scratch out a crop from the hard-baked earth and with the meal barrel nearly empty, this lady and her son thought they had reached their final days of existence. Elijah arrived on the scene and asked the woman to bake a cake for him before making the last one for herself and her son.

I Kings 17:13-15“Elijah said unto her, Fear not; . . . make me thereof a little cake first, and

bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she

went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house,

did eat many days” (I Kings 17:13-15).

I. God Controls Our FutureThis unnamed widow found that

when she honored the prophet of God and the work of God, the provider and giver of life Himself remembered her in her hour of need, even after her son became gravely ill and died. She did not accept his death. If God could miraculously feed her and her son throughout the famine, He also could help her now. She went to Elijah who prayed, “O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again” (I Kings 17:21). God restored

her son to life and health.

I. God Controls Our FutureOn Mount Carmel when Elijah

confronted the 450 prophets of Baal, the people crowded around to watch. Before any preliminaries, Elijah plunged into his reason for challenging Baal. He demanded of the people, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him (I Kings 18:21). When the people did not answer, Elijah pitted Baal’s power against the power of Jehovah. They would see which deity answered by fire.

I. God Controls Our FutureThe prophets of Baal built an altar and cried all day to their god. They cut and contorted themselves, prophesied, and leaped upon the altar to no avail.

At the time of the evening sacrifice Elijah called a halt to the foolishness. He invited the people to come closer while he repaired the altar of the Lord and placed on it the sacrifice. He asked that the altar, the sacrifice, and the wood be soaked with water. Elijah offered a simple prayer.

Transparency 2

I. God Controls Our FutureDivine fire swooped down and

ignited the sacrifice. It consumed everything: the sacrifice, the wood, the altar, and the dust, and even licked up the water in the trench at the base of the altar. The people bowed to the earth and exclaimed, “The LORD he is the God!” (I Kings 18:39). God honored Elijah by answering his prayer for fire, and shortly after, for rain.

III. God’s Call Requires SacrificeGod’s Call Requires Sacrifice

“So [Elijah] departed thence, 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. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

I. God Controls Our FutureAnd he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him” (I Kings 19:19-21).

A. Elisha Burned His PlowA. Elisha Burned His Plow

The call of God requires sacrifice. Elisha was willing to sever the past to ensure the success of the future. A person cannot receive the mantle and be an effective servant if he will not let go of ties to the past. It is hard to pack up the tent to follow the Lord if the tent stakes are embedded too deep.

I. God Controls Our FutureFor example, Lot at first merely

pitched his tent toward Sodom. Then he moved his family into Sodom. Just before God rained down fire and brimstone on the wicked city, the angels had to drag the family of Lot away to safety. His wife, who could not pull her heartstrings away from the city, looked back. God judged her by transforming her into a pillar of salt.

I. God Controls Our FutureFollowing the call of God and

becoming a successor requires much more than a casual commitment. Just as casual commitments did not suffice in Elisha’s day, they will not please God in these last days. We need men and women who are sold out, totally committed to the cause and willing to separate from their past so they can focus on their future in the work of the Lord. “Burning our plows” in this twenty-first century is not a popular subject.

I. God Controls Our FutureWe cling to the successes of yesterday, but we find the weight of them bogs down the success of the future.

The Bible is clear: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

I. God Controls Our FutureMoses left his sheep to become

the one to lead the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Peter left his boats and his business to become the speaker at the inauguration of the church on the Day of Pentecost. The Lord honors individuals who are willing to sacrifice on behalf of the kingdom of God.

B. Elisha Traded His InheritanceB. Elisha Traded His

Inheritance

“So he departed thence, 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” (I Kings 19:19).

I. God Controls Our FutureDictionary.com describes the word

inheritance as “something that is or may be inherited; property passing at the owner’s death to the heir or those entitled to succeed; legacy.” The word also implies “the act or fact of inheriting by succession, as if by succession, or genetically: to receive property by inheritance.”

Until Elijah appeared, Elisha thought his future lay in the farming business.

I. God Controls Our FutureApparently his father was well-to-do, judging by the number of oxen that pulled Elisha’s plow. As the young man worked in the field, Elijah approached and cast his mantle over Elisha’s shoulders. This act placed Elisha at a crossroads since it signified that the old prophet was transferring his power and authority to Elisha. The younger man had to choose whether to stay and work the farm with his father or to sacrifice his inheritance and follow in the footsteps of Elijah.

C. Elisha Gave Up His FamilyC. Elisha Gave Up His Family

This decision must have pulled at his heartstrings. He asked Elijah to give him a little time so he could go home to kiss his mother and father and say proper goodbyes. Then he would quickly join the old prophet.

According to the customs of the East, this was a reasonable request. History reveals that oriental farewells sometimes occupied several days.

I. God Controls Our FutureThe prophet Elijah permitted Elisha a brief opportunity to bid farewell to his family. They provided a feast and butchered a yoke of oxen, using Elisha’s wooden plowing equipment to build a fire to simmer the meat. After everyone had feasted, Elisha reported to Elijah and began ministering unto him.

I. God Controls Our FutureJesus said, “Every one that hath

forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19:29).

The Lord calls for total commitment in His servants. Jesus confirmed this when he declared, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

I. God Controls Our Future We can only imagine the mixed

feelings of Elisha’s family as they watched him go. They would miss their beloved son but felt privileged that he would be ministering to Elijah. As parents and leaders in this end-time church, the most important thing for which we could ask is that our children walk in truth in His perfect will for the advancement of the work of the Lord.

A. Elisha’s Values Were CorrectGod Honored Elisha’s

RequestA. Elisha’s Values Were Correct

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me” (II Kings 2:9).

I. God Controls Our FutureElisha traveled with Elijah for a short period of time, during which he witnessed the Lord working miraculously through Elijah. This inspired Elisha to desire the same anointing of God upon his own life, and he asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. It is not wrong to desire good things from the Lord. Paul instructed us to “covet earnestly the best gifts” (I Corinthians 12:31).

I. God Controls Our FutureElijah said to his successor, “Thou

hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so” (II Kings 2:10). With such a promise, one can be sure that Elisha made up his mind to stick to Elijah’s side like a bur.

It seemed Elijah tried to discourage the fulfillment of Elisha’s desire. “Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el.

I. God Controls Our FutureAnd Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el” (II Kings 2:2). But Elisha was not deterred easily.

Ruth showed the same kind of determination when Naomi urged her to return to Moab. “Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

I. God Controls Our Futurewhere thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17).

We should endeavor to follow our Master closely. Opportunities to quit may arise, and at times we might even want to. Certainly, Elijah gave Elisha several opportunities to step aside. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him. We must always keep our Master within our scope of vision. We cannot afford to lose sight of the

blessing of eternity.

B. Elisha’s Vision Was ClearB. Elisha’s Vision Was Clear

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there

appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into

heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot

of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them

in two pieces” (II Kings 2:11-12).

I. God Controls Our FutureThe two prophets had just crossed

the Jordan when suddenly a chariot of fire caught Elijah away. Elisha had never seen anything as glorious as the fiery horses and chariot ascending to Heaven on a whirlwind. He bent to pick up the mantle that had fallen from the prophet and surely he must have stood there holding it, sensing the incredible anointing of God on his life.

C. Elisha’s Victory Was CertainC. Elisha’s Victory Was

Certain“He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan . . . and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over” (II Kings 2:13-14).

I. God Controls Our FutureWhen Elisha prayed, “Where is the

LORD God of Elijah?” he was asking God to affirm his appointment as the successor of Elijah. He strode immediately to the waters to test the mantle; and when he struck the waters, they rolled back (II Kings 2:14). This began a miracle ministry in the life of Elisha.

The church of today must feel the weight of the mantle of the Holy Spirit—not to flaunt it as a showpiece, but to use it to further the kingdom of

God.

I. God Controls Our FuturePaul declared to the church at Ephesus, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

The sons of the prophets recognized immediately the spirit of Elijah on Elisha.

II Kings 2:15

“And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The

spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground

before him” (II Kings 2:15).

I. God Controls Our FutureInternalizing the Message

Elisha determined that the call of God on his life was more important than position or power. He would make himself available to serve Elijah, performing every task as the prophet asked. When the mantle of Elijah fell upon the young prophet, God used him in performing twice as many miracles as Elijah.