1:1-2:13 - ‘He took up the mantle of Elijah’ (2:13). Elijah’s ministry had ended. Elisha’s ministry was about to begin. It was the beginning of a new era. This may have been a new ministry. It was not, however, a new message. Both men preached the Word of the Lord. Elisha continued Elijah’s work. He took up where Elijah had left off. He brought the Word of the Lord to the people. Elisha was not exactly the same as Elijah. He was Elisha - not Elijah! There was, however, continuity. The second ministry built on the work done during the first ministry. The laying of the foundations - This is what Elijah’s ministry had been all about. Now, Elisha would build on this good foundation. He would take the work of God forward. Into the future, on to the second stage - This is what Elisha’s ministry was all about.
2:14-3:27
- ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ (2:14). Elijah was no longer
there - but God was still there! Don’t imagine that God goes away when
there’s a change of ministry. While Elijah had been serving the Lord,
Elisha was being prepared for his time. God is always one step ahead of
us. We are living in the present day.
He is planning for the future. With each succeeding generation, the
question is asked, ‘Where is the Lord?’. In every generation, God is
looking for those who will serve Him - ‘testifying of the Gospel of the
grace of God, testifying of repentance to God and of faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ, declaring the whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:24,21,27).
This is ‘the mantle of Elijah’ (2:14) - the mantle of prophetic
ministry. Will you ‘take up the mantle’ for God and the next generation?
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