ELISHA

2 KINGS 3:4

A. "AND ELISHA SAID, AS THE LORD OF HOSTS LIVETH, BEFORE WHOM I STAND" - 2 KINGS 3:14
  1. One reading the words of Elisha is impressed with:
    1. The authority Elisha claimed for his mission - "As the Lord of hosts liveth before whom I stand"
    2. This must be the attitude of all the servants of the Lord; they must be able to speak in the name of the Lord
  2. A prayerful study of the prophet Elisha and his ministry indicates:
    1. That he was a mild mannered person peaceable, and gentle
    2. There were moments in his ministry when he could be severe as in the cursing of the ungodly children - 2 Kings 2:23-25
B. THE PROPHET ELISHA - HIS BACKGROUND - HIS MINISTRY AND THE FRUIT OF HIS FAITHFUL LABORS
  1. Background to Elisha's call into the office of a prophet:
    1. Must have been a successful farmer - I Kings 19:19
    2. God used Elijah to call hi to the ministry by casting his mantle upon Elisha - I Kings 19:19; that act was symbolic of the placing the responsibility of the prophetic office upon Elisha
  2. Nature of the ministry of Elisha:
    1. It differed from the mission of Elijah; it concerned itself by building the spiritual life among the people; doing acts of kindness to the needy
    2. God had given him the gift of healing and the working of miracles in a large measure; (i) the multiplying the widows oil - 2 Kings 4:1-7 (iii) bringing back to life the son of the Shunemite - 2 Kings 8:36 (iii) the healing of the water - 2 Kings 2:19-21 the healing of the food that had been poisoned - 2 Kings 4:38-41
    3. Even his dead body became the means to bring back to life a dead soldier - 2 Kings 13:21
C. THE FIVEFOLD LESSONS GATHERED FROM THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE PROPHET ELISHA
  1. Elisha was a God-fearing dedicated person:
    1. He was just as diligent behind the plow as he was in the ministry of the word
    2. This trait of character is highly esteemed by the Lord; Examples: David was just as diligent in taking care of the few sheep of his father as he was when he was king in Israel; said Jesus, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful in much" - Luke 16:10
  2. Elisha was highly sympathetic with the poor and needy:
    1. He demonstrated this to the poor widow
    2. He did the same for the man who had dropped a borrowed ax head into the water - 2 Kings 6:5
  3. He was a prophet in the fullest sense:
    1. Made predictions that came true - 2 Kings 7:1-9
    2. He anointed kings for their office - 2 Kings 9:1-22
  4. He was fearless to reprove sin:
    1. It mattered not if it be Gehazi his servant - - Kings 5:25-27
    2. Or if it be a king as he did to Benhadad - 2 Kings 8:7-11
  5. Best of all, if that is possible:
    1. Elisha was fully conscious of his need of a double portion of the Spirit of Elijah
    2. He realized that he was not as gifted as his master was, and, therefore, felt in need of special grace to do acceptable service for the Lord
    3. If ever there was a time when the workers in the cause of God should yearn for a double portion of the Spirit and power of Elijah, it is now
    4. This need is clearly indicated in Malachi 4:5-6
    5. We should linger long on our knees praying for a double portion of the Holy Spirit to do efficient service in the cause of God


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