If the Lord be God, be Faithful to His Call
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
If the Lord Be God
Be Faithful To His Calling
In 2 King 2, we begin to take a look at Elisha’s ministry. It’s in this chapter that we see Elijah’s translation to heaven and when Elisha begins his ministry as prophet. It is estimated to be about 10 year since Elisha was called to minister to Elijah to the time that Elijah was translated.
Text:
Introduction: Last week, we looked at Elijah’s calling of Elisha to minister unto him and ultimately to take over Elijah’s ministry as a prophet in Israel. Today, as we look at 2 King 2, we begin to take a look at Elisha’s ministry. It’s in this chapter that we see Elijah’s translation to heaven and when Elisha begins his ministry at prophet. It is estimated to be about 10 year since Elisha was called to minister to Elijah to the time that Elijah was translated.
At the beginning of Elisha’s ministry, what we first see was his faithfulness to his call. Hence the title of this week’s lesson
If the Lord be God, Be Faithful to His Call
If the Lord be God, Be Faithful to His Call
Like we should, Elisha faithful to his calling because:
1. Don’t Take the Easy Way Out (1-6)
1. Don’t Take the Easy Way Out (1-6)
Two possible reason for Elijah suggesting that Elisha stay behind:
b. In verse 2, Elijah suggests that Elisha just hang back at Gilgal. Why? Is Elijah depressed again and wanting to leave his servant behind? No, I don’t believe that is it. There are two possible reason for Elijah suggesting that Elisha stay behind.
1) Out of Elijah’s Humility – he knew God was about to take him in a special way and didn’t want to set up himself in a position to say, “Come with me so you can see what God is going to do to me.”
1) Out of Elijah’s Humility – he knew God was about to take him in a special way and didn’t want to set up himself in a position to say, “Come with me so you can see what God is going to do to me.”
2) To test Elisha’s commitment to him and the ministry God had called him to years earlier.
2) To test Elisha’s commitment to him and the ministry God had called him to years earlier.
iii. Frankly, it could be both of these. But whatever the reason, Elisha refused to stay.
c. Each town they went to, he was reminded of Elijah’s coming departure, but he wouldn’t be dissuaded from staying with Elijah.
d. In fact, in verse 3, it’s quite obvious that Elisha knew what was coming and that there was sorrow in his heart over the coming departure of his master.
Who are the sons of the prophets? There were groups or schools of prophets in these cities that had been established to teach the Israelites the revealed Word of God.[1] These men were students of the Bible.
e. Either God or Elijah informed the sons of the prophets that Elijah’s time on this earth was about to end.
f. Who are the sons of the prophets? There were groups or schools of prophets in these cities that had been established to teach the Israelites the revealed Word of God.[1] These men were students of the Bible.
“Knowest thou not that the LORD will take away thy master from the thy head today?” This phrase is an allusion to the student sitting at the feet of the master for the purpose of instruction.
h. Elisha’s response was “Yea, I know I; hold ye your peace.” In other words, don’t remind me. “Don’t add to my sorrow by reminding me.”
i. Clearly, Elijah and Elisha had a very close relationship and the knowledge that Elisha was about to lose his mentor, his master, brought sorrow to his heart.
j. These scene repeats itself three times—in Gilgal, in Bethel, and in Jericho. SEE MAP
READ VERSE 4-6
What’s so special about Elisha in these verses?
He didn’t take the easy way out of his calling. He didn’t quit when the end of his current ministry approached. He could have said, with Elijah gone, it’s my head they’ll be after…I’m gone! But he didn’t. He continued serving Elijah up to the very end.
He didn’t put his comfort above God’s call. He could have stayed back in comfort in either of those cities and probably dwelt with the sons of the prophets in the school of the prophets. But he didn’t, he chose to continue to travel with Elijah.
m. Though Elisha had several opportunities, he didn’t take the easy out of his calling.
n. He remained faithful to Elijah and to God’s calling on his life.
Transition: If the Lord be God, be faithful to your call by not taking the easy way out and…
2. Be Where God Wants You (7-13)
2. Be Where God Wants You (7-13)
What if Elisha had quit and not been where God had called Him?
1) He would not have seen God use Elijah to part the waters of the Jordan River.
2) He would not have heard the testimonies of the sons of the prophets.
3) He would not have been given the opportunity to ask for a double of portion from Elijah.
4) He would not have seen God take Elijah away to heaven.
5) He would not have been the recipient of Elijah’s mantle and anointed by God as the next prophet in Israel.
6) He would not have called out to God and parted the waters of the Jordan as Elijah had done.
7) He would not have received affirmation from the sons of the prophets that God had indeed anointed Elisha as the next great prophet in Israel.
h. These are just a few of the blessings that Elisha would have missed out on had he not been where God wanted him…ministering to Elijah until the very end.
READ VERSE 8-9
i. After crossing the Jordan River, Elijah asks Elisha what he wants from him before he is taken away. In verse 9 he says that he wants a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
What was Elisha asking for in a “double portion”?
Elisha wanted spiritual rather than material blessing. He was not asking to be twice as popular as Elijah or to perform twice as many miracles.
k. Elisha wanted spiritual rather than material blessing. He was not asking to be twice as popular as Elijah or to perform twice as many miracles. “He asks not for wealth, nor honour, nor exemption from trouble. Elisha was asking to be the successor of Elijah and to be privileged to carry on his ministry under God (cf. “double share of,” ).”[2] “He was asking to be qualified for the service of God and his generation.” [3]
“He asks not for wealth, nor honour, nor exemption from trouble. Elisha was asking to be the successor of Elijah and to be privileged to carry on his ministry under God (cf. “double share of,” ).”[2]
“He was asking to be qualified for the service of God and his generation.” [3]
Elisha’s request was, simply, to be heir to the prophetic office and gifts of his master.”[4]
m. Look at Elijah’s reponse in verse 10
READ VERSE 10
READ VERSE 11
READ VERSE 11
o. Suddenly a fast-approaching chariot and horses of fire separated Elijah from Elisha. Notice that the chariot did not carry Elijah away into heaven, but a whirlwind.
p. The Hebrew word for whirlwind can also be translated as a storm with clouds, thunder, and lighting. “Like the pillar of cloud that led the Israelites in the wilderness (), it represented God’s presence.”[6]
q. “The fiery horses and chariot were symbols of God’s power in battle. Horses and chariots were the mightiest means of warfare in that day. God was saying in this event that His power was far greater than any military might. It was this power that Elijah had demonstrated and which Elisha in his wisdom valued so highly (cf. , ; ; ; ).” [7]
r. Elisha’s request was fulfilled. He saw God sweep Elijah off the face of the earth into His very presence. Look at his response in verse 12.
READ VERSE 12-13
s. “Elijah had been Elisha’s spiritual father, his predecessor in the ministry of calling people back to God. Elisha’s reference to the chariots and horsemen of Israel shows that he regarded Elijah as a powerful instrument whom God had used to wage war against the idolatry in Israel. He would be greatly missed.” [8]
t. He was saying that this single prophet did more for the preservation and prosperity of Israel than all her chariots and horsemen.[9]
u. Elisha tore his own clothes as an act of mourning (cf. , ; ; ; ; ; ) over the loss of this great spiritual warrior. From then on Elisha would wear Elijah’s cloak and would serve with the authority and power it symbolized.”[10]
3. Serve in the Power of God (14)
3. Serve in the Power of God (14)
3. Serve in the Power of God (14)
“Where now is the Lord God of Elijah?” This is a call for God to demonstrate His power through him as He had done through Elijah.
Elisha began his ministry as a prophet of God not in his own power, but in the Power of God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
If the Lord be God, Be Faithful to His Calling.
As Elisha was, be faithful to your calling by not taking the easy way out, by being where God wants you, and by serving in the power of God.
[1] Constable, T. L. (1985). 2 Kings. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 539). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Constable, T. L. (1985). 2 Kings. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 540). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 522). Peabody: Hendrickson.
[4] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 231). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Constable, T. L. (1985). 2 Kings. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 540). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 231). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Constable, T. L. (1985). 2 Kings. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 540). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.