A Biblical Mentoring Relationship: The Story of Elisha

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Curtis Baker

Instructor: Sue Detweiler

Old Testament Survey

April 11, 2005

A Biblical Mentoring Relationship: The Story of Elisha

It is very difficult to look at the life of Elisha without looking at Elijah as well. They were two of God's greatest prophets and miracle-workers. The pair is also an excellent picture of mentoring and discipleship. Elijah began his ministry by setting out to destroy Idolatry in the Hebrew time.

Little is known about Elijah's background. Some scholars have compared him to Melchizedek who had no record of birth or death (Graves). Elijah's ministry really begins through announcing a drought that will occur for three years during the reign of King Ahab. This announcement caused Elijah to flee for his life. The book of James says that Elijah prayed to God that there would be no rain for three years and six months. James even compares the prayer Elijah offered to God to the prayer of faith (James 5:13-18). The element of living by faith would later be a great quality that Elisha would learn from Elijah.

Elijah's focus of ministry was to serve the Lord fully. His ministry is in great opposition of the worship of Baal. There were so many false prophets devoted to Baal. Elijah was determined to tear down the worship of this Idol. Elijah never really thought that the intensity of Baalism would pass from his time to another's. Elijah probably did not realize that it would be his successor that would have the greatest impact on Baalism as opposed to himself (Barker, 513). Elijah became discouraged. So much so that he fled and wanted to die. Fleeing to Sinai, Elijah was told to anoint a new generation of political and religious leaders (1 Kings 19:9-18). Here we are introduced to Elisha.

Elisha was a young farmer who was plowing in the fields when Elijah visited him. Upon arrival, Elisha was plowing the field with twelve yoke of oxen. Here again we see the significant number twelve. Elijah went up to Elisha, just as the Lord had told him to do, and threw his cloak around him. This symbolized that Elisha would be the successor

or next in line after Elijah. This "throwing of the cloak" is almost a foreshadowing of how Elijah would pass his mantle off to Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21). Engle refers to the event as "Elijah tossed his own mantle over the young Elisha, whom was called by God." A mantle was a "broad strip of cloth, much like a large shawl, that was worn across the shoulders as an outer garment. Elijah's mantle function for him much like Moses' staff" Engle). Even today, we us the terminology "passing the mantle" to represent a passing of reign, leadership, status, etc., to others.

As Elisha is selected as the next prophet, he immediately breaks the tools he was using for farming and burns them. This was a full way of calling a "quits" or an end to his profession, and a full obedience to his new leader. Not only does he burn the plowing equipment, he sacrifices the oxen and cooks them giving the people a feast. After enjoying the feast, Elisha left and became "Elijah's new helper" (1 Kings 19:21 NCV). Thus the ongoing mentoring and discipling of a new prophet began.
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Elisha had no idea what the future had in store for him. He knew that he loved the Lord and was willing to follow Elijah. This began a season of mentoring, training, correcting, insight, miracles and so much work. Elisha was committed 100% to the work he was chosen (Engle). He spent a significant amount of time being right beside Elijah. The Bible is not very clear about their relationship, but it is unique. It was especially unique among all the Old Testament prophets. It is clearly a mentoring process, much like what Jesus would use with his ...

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