“So, Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah.” (1 Kings 19:19-20).
The paired Books of 1 and 2 Kings are quite descriptive of the back-and-forth life of the nation of Israel. Depending on who was king at the time, they either were doing right by the Lord, or they were doing “evil in the sight of the Lord.”
Two kings, in particular, Ahab and Ahaziah, truly did evil in the sight of the Lord. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, was the daughter of the priest-king of the cities of Tyre and Sidon. When Jezebel married Ahab, who ruled c. 874-853 BC, she persuaded him to worship the Tyrian god, Baal.
It was a terrible time for Israel as they turned their collective backs on God. The reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah were marked by corruption and idolatry, as Jezebel did all she could to kill off the priests and prophets of God. The challenge and risk for those loyal to God during that period were enormous.
As we so often discover, the narratives of the Old Testament repeatedly serve as a sort of foreshadowing of the future. We frequently see ourselves, our times, in the stories of the people of Israel. See, we, too, can be a “stiff-necked” people.
Who Were Elijah and Elisha?
Elijah and Elisha, who served God during this period, were incredibly strong role models. They stood their ground in the face of the corrupt power and immense persecution — persecution that included the promise of death.
Elijah and Elisha served God in a particularly dark time in Israel’s history. These two prophets often blend into one in the minds of readers of the Bible and are often easily confused.
Without doubt, however, the lasting reputation belongs to Elijah, who has a role in the ministry of the Messiah, as well as, some believe, the End Times prophecies (Revelation 11:1-14).
In describing to Zechariah what would be the life of his son, John the Baptist, the Angel of the Lord said this:
And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17).
The name Elijah means “Jehovah is my God.” The name Elisha means “God is my salvation.” Certainly, fitting names for the roles these two prophets played in the history of Israel.
The very first we read of Elijah is in 1 Kings, where he is already an accomplished and well-known prophet of the Lord.
This introduction is certainly compelling, as Elijah exhibits a convincing display of God’s power — first by bringing about the return of rain after a long drought, then by a direct and personal — and quite successful — face-off against the prophets of Baal.
Rightly fearing execution by Jezebel, the prophet then fled, guided by the Angel of the Lord (1 Kings 19:1-9). While in hiding, Elijah feared he might be the only prophet of God remaining, but then the word of the Lord came to him (1 Kings 19:11-12).
How often do we ourselves try to find God in the wind or in the earthquake or fire? Yet, Elijah realized that God was in the soft, gentle whisper. In that whisper, God directed his prophet (1 Kings 19:15-18).
As it was with Jesus choosing his disciples, so it was with Elijah and Elisha.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last — and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you (John 15:16).
When Elijah found him, Elisha was plowing his fields with a pair of oxen — a foreshadowing perhaps of Jesus calling the fishermen while at work.
Then, Elijah simply placed his cloak around the shoulders of Elisha — a sign that Elisha was to be the elder prophets’ disciple and that Elijah’s responsibilities would fall to Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-20).
Like the called disciples of Jesus, Elisha did not hesitate. He went back, slaughtered his oxen, and burned his equipment. Then he gave the meat from the oxen to the people, removing himself from his former life and leaving no option to return (1 Kings 19:21).
Mentor and Disciple
As he was chosen by God, it should come as no surprise that from the very start, Elisha proved willing to let go of his family, his occupation — the entire life he had built — in order to follow Elijah. He chose to allow Elijah to serve as his mentor, and him, as a disciple.
Throughout their time together, Elisha loved and looked up to Elijah as a father figure. When Elijah was to be taken into heaven, Elisha refused to leave his side despite Elijah instructing him to remain behind.
They traveled from city to city together — and Elijah permitted Elisha to stay with him. Upon parting the Jordan with his cloak and crossing on dry land together, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him (2 Kings 2:9).
It was then that a fiery chariot swept up Elijah, drawing him to heaven — witnessed by Elisha and the band of prophets with them.
Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak — walked to the Jordan, and struck it with the cloak — and the water divided just as it had done for Elijah (2 Kings 2:15).
Multitude of Miracles
Elisha’s ministry then followed in the footsteps of his mentor, in the spirit of Elijah. In fact, the double portion of that spirit was indeed evident, as the story tells of twice as many miracles performed by Elisha than his mentor.
Just as God had promised Elijah, it was during Elisha’s ministry that organized Baal worship was wiped out. (2 Kings 10:28) Further, Elisha traveled far and wide as an adviser to kings, as well as a friend of the common people.
The accounts of Elisha’s miracles and service as a prophet are widely described throughout 2 Kings — far too numerous to list here.
Some of those miracles were reminiscent of Moses, such as healing the waters of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-21) but others strongly foreshadowed miracles of the Messiah — multiplying 20 barley loaves to feed 100 men (2 Kings 4:42-44) and healing lepers (2 Kings 5). Mostly, however, the miracles of Elisha were acts of blessing for the helpless.
Jesus himself taught of the miracles of Elijah and Elisha together in Luke 4:25-27.
The two prophets were clearly obedient to God’s call. Elijah believed God and trusted him, and Elisha followed eagerly and faithfully. Both sought after God, allowing him to work powerfully through them.
A Time Such as This
Throughout history, Israel has suffered through many challenging times. Elijah and Elisha certainly lived in such a time.
In the Book of Esther, at a time when the Jews were under threat of annihilation, Mordecai sent Esther, then queen, this message:
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14).
Today, we, too, are living through what many would call “such a time as this.” Our freedoms to believe — our very faith — are under criticism and attack. Many would choose to silence us and label our beliefs as evil.
Elijah and Elisha are very strong role models for us today. The two displayed tremendous fortitude and devotion in maintaining their faith, their prayer — and unwavering devotion in the face of immense persecution.
Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned for us on how to stand for the Father and for Christ Jesus. How to remain diligent, even when we feel we may be overwhelmed by the odds and feel as if our voices are alone or insignificant.
Elijah and Elisha are two Old Testament figures who remain tremendously relevant in modern times.
For further reading:
What Do We Know about Elijah and Elisha?
What Is the Significance of Elijah and the Widow?
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