By Jean Jantzen

When I studied the life of Elisha I wondered what particular meaning his life held for me, a modern day called-out Christian. His life seemed so low-key, so ordinary, so tedious in comparison to his larger than life predecessor, Elijah. However, I discovered some amazing parallels between Elisha’s life and the life of one called by God today, and it was comforting, exciting and encouraging. I could relate that he was an ordinary, industrious person who suddenly is recruited by God into active service. He does not hesitate to leave his home, his former way of life. He slaughters and cooks up his twelve oxen and invites his family and friends to a farewell dinner. In doing so he is literally turning his back on the old life. What an example for us today! {He must have come from a well-to-do family if he is employing that many oxen…but in this case I was curious about the number twelve! The number twelve is significant as it implies structural beginning or foundation of organization and governmental perfection. There were twelve tribes of Israel and twelve apostles chosen to serve as the foundation of His Church. (Matthew 10:1-7 Luke 22:29.30).} God taps us on the shoulder and that’s what happened to Elisha. Anyone recruited by God has to look at it as a very special calling as did Elisha.

In the New Testament Christ says "If any man will follow me, let him deny himself daily and take up his cross and follow me." Two thousand years later many have professed religion but few have followed Christ and done as he commanded. Few seem willing to forsake their own way. The majority are a stiff-necked stubborn lot who would rather suffer the consequences in unhappy unfulfilled lives. But Elisha followed God.

It seems strange that Elijah four times tries to leave Elisha behind, but each time Elisha refuses to leave Elijah. (2 Kings 2) After our initial calling, God allows Satan to test us to see if we will go the extra mile, to see if we are serious about our calling. Very often when a test comes many find their faith fading, difficulties are too great, problems too many, and they wonder if they have stepped out on the right pathway, but a few are like Elisha. No matter how hard the road ahead there are no doubts, no turning back!

It is interesting to note that Ruth as she took her journey toward God (like Elisha) was told to go back. "Turn away, my daughters, go your way..... Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her own people, and unto her gods; return thou after thy sister-in-law" (Ruth 1:12, 15). Ruth’s response is the same as Elisha’s. "Intreat 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. (Ruth 1:16-17). She had made up her mind. Wasn’t that our feelings when we started our journey with God?

Four places mentioned on Elisha’s journey, Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, and Jordan are in conjunction with his refusing to leave Elijah. Elijah and Elisha are in Gilgal and Elijah said to Elisha "Tarry here, I pray thee, for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel." Elisha replied "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee." And they went to the next place and the same things were said. I believe these four places represent certain milestones in a person’s calling. What does Gilgal represent in the journey? There came a moment in the history of the nation of Israel when they arrive at Gilgal (Joshua 5) after forty years of living in the wilderness (world). This new generation of men had not been circumcised and God commanded this be done at Gilgal. This signified they belonged to God through a covenant made with Abraham. Gilgal represents the cutting off of the flesh which represents our past sinful life. (Philippians 3:3) So what Elijah was really saying to Elisha was "Is Gilgal a stumbling block for you?" Elisha recognizing his own sinful nature was prepared to enter into the covenant with God and move on to the next step whatever it might be. Gilgal is a very important beginning for the newly-called out ones. It is an acknowledgement of what we are and like Elisha a few make the same choice…to follow God.

Then they came to Bethel. [Earlier, Jacob had a wonderful vision of the angels on the ladder that reached heaven and he awoke and said "How dreadful (or, awesome) is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven" (Genesis 28:17) and he called it Bethel"]. Bethel represents the presence and the holiness of God and the awesome promises given to those of Abraham’s seed. "And Elijah said Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And [Elisha] said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho" (2 Kings 2:4). We, like Elisha, accept the covenant and understand the promises and recognize the steps that lead to holiness. We count the cost and move forward.

What does Jericho represent? When the children of Israel went over Jordan and into the land, standing to thwart their progress was the city of Jericho. (Joshua 6) It was no use bypassing it. Jericho, a walled city, stood right across the path and it had to be overcome. The ark was carried around it, the priests blew the trumpets and then the walls fell down, and so Jericho was overcome. Jericho represented the world in opposition to the people of God, and how well we know it. Being holy in an evil world is not an easy thing. Many things of the world are tempting. So Elijah said to Elisha, "Now you tarry here at Jericho," at the place where the world's power and domination is seen. But Elisha replied that he would overcome and move on, in other words he rejected what the world had to offer. And so they came to Jordan. We know we cannot overcome the world by our strength…God would have to give us the victory if we will follow him.

Still Elijah had to ask one more time, "Will you tarry at the Jordan, Elisha?" "No" he said, "I am going to learn the lessons that are to be found at Jordan." But what are the lessons? The children of Israel came to the Jordan and were told to wait and when the ark began to move they were to follow the ark but to keep a respectful distance of two thousand cubits. (Joshua 3:4) When the ark moved through the Jordan, as the priests’ feet touched the water, the water flowed back. "The priests…stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan and all the Israelites passed over…until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." (Joshua 3:17). So Elisha passed over Jordan which represented his baptism. Note God’s words spoken to Joshua when he passed over Jordan. "This day will I begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you" (Joshua 3:7, 4:14).] That same message would hold true for Elisha who was taking over for Elijah. This experience shows Elisha is set apart for holy use. Elisha is prepared to do whatever God asks of him. We can identify that we too are set apart for holy use and also must be prepared to do what God asks of us.

Elisha did very well on his journey towards baptism. Four times he was told to go back, but every time he said "No, I am going to go on." That is resolution. That is determination. He might easily have said "Well, the man of God has told me to tarry here. I will do what he says." "Ah, no", he said, "I have been called, I have been chosen. I am going to go on and fulfil what the Lord desires of me." After counting the cost we take that final plunge and commitment of baptism signifying the death of the old man and the beginning of the new.

Elijah and Elisha were prophets during a time of great apostasy by God’s people, Israel. Elijah got the people’s attention by a miraculous display of God’s power. We too are called during a time of widespread religious confusion.

Then Elisha needed to be recognized as a true prophet, consequently the incident with the bears. Imagine being accosted by a very large group of angry, hostile young college students. They were attacking God’s prophet because they did not believe who he said he was. They didn’t believe the story of Elijah. God understands mob violence. God fought Elisha’s battle. There were probably a hundred and fifty angry young men and many ran for their lives when the bears attacked them with 42 being killed. (2 Kings 2:23-24) This incident would be talked of far and wide so that in the future Israel would acknowledge, recognize and respect Elisha as a man of the true God.

Let’s back up to his baptism: "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" (2 Kings 2:9). This is an amazing request! Maybe we should follow his example.

We’ve all walked the same road as Elisha through Gilgal, Bethal and Jericho to stand before Jordan (baptism). When Elisha stood before Jordan these words would have been for him. When you or I stood before Jordan these words would be for us. "This day will I begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you" (Joshua 3:7, 4:14). Just like Elisha, those in the body of Christ have had the mantle (God’s Spirit) bestowed upon them and those same words spoken... how awesome is that!

Until this indepth study, I did not really appreciate Elisha’s example of unwavering loyalty, love and wholehearted servitude toward God, Elijah and the people he served. As the New Testament body of Christ we would do well to follow his lead.

In the not-too-distant future people of the world will recognize us as true servants of God and He will magnify us in their sight. With the power of Jesus Christ we will perform miracles quietly and humbly, not like the thundering miracles of the bold and dramatic Elijah, but like Elisha who steadfastly and unceremoniously assisted the common people and did more on an individual and compassionate basis… a widow, a laborer, a Shunnamite woman. He increased a widow's supply of oil, which saved her children from being sold into slavery (2 Kings 4:1-7). He cleansed a pot of food into which a poisonous herb had been mistakenly added (4:38-41). He fed 100 hungry men by multiplying a small amount of barley loaves and corn (4:42-44). He cured a Gentile of his leprosy (5:14). He recovered a lost ax-head that a man had borrowed, and thus saved him from financial ruin (6:1-7). What amazing parallels. What an amazing future job description for you and I. It must truly inspire and encourage us that God loves us so much.