DCLM Higher Everyday 21 February 2024 — Elisha Succeeds Elijah
Topic: Elisha Succeeds Elijah
Text: 1 Kings 19:15-21
15And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
17And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
19So 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.
20And 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?
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.
Key Verse: “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” (1 Kings 19:19).
Message
To succeed someone means you are next after the person. In our study today, we are dealing with two major prophets, Elijah and Elisha. As Elijah’s prophetic ministry was ending, Elisha became his able servant and eventually succeeded him. According to the 3rd president of America, Thomas Jepherson, “Nothing is more incumbent on the old than to know when they should get out of the way and relinquish to younger successors the honor they can no longer earn, and the duties they can no longer perform.” Elijah was a great prophet and performed 14 miracles including prophesies, during his ministry. However, he started complaining to God as he seemed to be the only one serving Him while Israel had turned onto idolatry. God had to appoint, a wealthy farmer, Elisha to succeed him.
God cares for His weary disciples. Elisha served well as a prophet and got the double portion of Elijah’s anointing that he requested for by doing 28 miracles. Beloved, be spiritually, academically and morally prepared to succeed your leaders in all walks of life.
Quote: God cares for His weary disciples
Challenge: Like Elisha, be ready when the mantle falls on you.
Prayer for today: Holy Father, make me a vessel fit for your use, in Jesus’ name
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
