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Elisha

The New Master Prophet

Nonetheless, after Elisha had mourned Elijah's heavenly departure for a moment, the newly minted master prophet, picked up his newly acquired cloak, and walk back to the river Jordan. Now when Elisha had finally made his way to the bank of the Jordan river, he would use his newly acquired cloak, by striking the surface of the river. And after doing so, Elisha cried out: "Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?"

Bible Study Article Covers : 2 Kings 2:13-22

Short Recap

In the last article we'd learned that Elijah's earthly ministry, had finally came to an end. The Sacred Record reveals that the Lord had taken prophet Elijah up to the heavens, and the Lord did this, by using a whirlwind: "Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." -- 2 Kings 2:11

But before the Lord had taken Elijah, we'd also learned, Elijah had finally realized, his apprentice wouldn't leave his side. It's for this reason, Elijah asked his student, what he wanted. Elisha responded by asking his teacher, for a double portion of the prophet's anointing.

And after hearing his request, Elijah responded by saying: "You have asked a hard thing. However, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so ." -- 2 Kings 2:10

Nonetheless, a short while later, we find that Elisha would indeed, see his master get taken up into the heavens, by the Lord.

And while Elijah was being taken up to the heavens, the prophet drop his cloak, so that Elisha could have it.

Now when it came to this cloak, the popular consensus, deals with the notion, that it represented Elijah's mantle. For you see, the passing of the cloak, symbolized the passing of the preeminence, and the authority that Elijah's earthly ministry was known for.

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Elisha's Confirmation From Above

Be that as it may, now that Elijah had honored his word, by passing his ministry over to his most dedicated student. Elisha would now have a very powerful confirmation, when it came to being Elijah's successor. For this would be a confirmation, that would show others (mainly the other student prophets) that Elisha's ministry, had been made official, not only from Elijah, but that his ministry had also been made official, from the Lord as well. More on this later...

Now after Elisha had mourned Elijah's heavenly departure for a moment, the newly minted master prophet, picked up his newly acquired cloak. Then we find him, walking back to the river Jordan. Now when he finally made his way back, to the bank of the Jordan river, Elisha used his newly acquired cloak, to strike the surface of the river. And after doing so, Elisha cried out:

"Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" Then the prophet would strike the surface of the river for a second time, and it would be on this second strike, the river divided. And with this being so, Elisha crossed over to the other side, and stood on dry ground.

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The Prophets of Jericho

Understand, that the magnificent act of being able to divide the river Jordan, would be Elisha's, first recorded miracle. And on top of that, this miraculous act, would be both a divine, and a natural confirmation, from the Lord. For this was the sort of confirmation, that not only showed that, Elisha had now been officially commissioned by his master, but that it also showed, he had also been officially commissioned, by the Lord as well, when it came to succeeding his master Elijah.

Now while all of this was going on, the student prophets from Jericho were watching from afar. And when they had seen, that Elisha was able to split the river Jordan. They'd shouted out: "Look! The spirit of Elijah is now resting on Elisha." And after they had said this, they went over to fellowship, as they bowed, before their new master prophet.

Now personally, I find it interesting that after they had seen Elisha perform his first miracle, which once again, was a direct confirmation from the Lord. I was somewhat caught off guard, to learn that the student prophets from Jericho, still had doubts, when it came to Elisha's report on Elijah. Their doubts are revealed, when we find them asking Elisha: "We your servants, have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the Lord, has picked him up, and set him down on some mountain, or in some valley."

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The Search For Elijah

Now after hearing their proposal, Elisha responded: "No, do not send them!" But due to their doubt, the student prophets of Jericho would become very persistent as they'd continued to ask their new master. The student prophets would continue on, until Elisha felt too ashamed, to refuse them any longer. So Elisha relented, and told them: "Go head and send them."

So the student prophets of Jericho, without hesitation, sent out a search party of fifty men, in order to look for Elijah. And search they would. For they would look for Elijah, as far as they could. They looked for him, for three days, but they would find themselves unsuccessful, when it came to their search. Now after Elisha had seen the student prophets, heading back from their search, with nothing in hand, he shouted out to them in frustration: "Didn't I tell you not to go!?"

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The Prophets of Jericho : Moving Forward with Elisha

Nonetheless, a little while later, the student prophets of Jericho seem to have moved passed the losing of Elijah. For we now find them telling their new master about a problem that was happening from in town: "Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see; but the water is bad, and the land is unproductive." Now after hearing their concerns, Elisha told them: "Bring me a new bowl and put salt in it."

So the student prophets brought Elisha what he had asked for. Then Elisha went out to the water spring, and threw the salt into it. And after doing so, he said out loud: "This is what the Lord says: 'I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death, or make the land unproductive." And because of the miracle that the Lord had worked through Elisha on that day, this particular water spring, would remain wholesome and healthy; even to this very day.

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God's First Judgment Phase : Now Completed

Now although Elijah had been taken up to the heavens by God, don't forget, we're still in a three phase judgment plan, that the Lord has going against Israel. Remember what the Lord had told Elijah, before he had went on to glory: "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet." -- 1 Kings 19:15-16

Phase One Has Now Been Complete : Now that the prophet Elijah has been taken by the Lord. Elisha has just graduated from being a student prophet, to now being recognized, as a master prophet.  

Phase Two Still In The Works : Now that Ben-Hadad the Syrian king has been partially remove from his throne, due to his two crushing defeats, back during the day of Ahab the Israel king. Keep in mind, this opens the door somewhat, for Hazael to take over the Syrian throne, later on down the line.

Phase Three Still In The Works : Now that Ahab has passed away. And being that his son Ahaziah, had a very short reign as king. Keep in mind, things get worse, for the house of Ahab;. For you see, Ahaziah wasn't able to produce an heir before his death. And it's for this reason, Ahab's descendants, are now a few steps closer, to being completely cutoff, from the throne of Israel. This somewhat opens the door, to bring Jehu closer, to becoming the king of Israel.

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In The Next Upcoming Article :

Now that we find that the student prophets, have finally accepted Elisha, as their new master prophet. The Sacred Record begins to move us forward, when it comes to Elisha's ministry. And right from the start, Elisha had to deal with being mocked, and taunted, by some local juveniles. And just to give you a heads up, Elisha's situation with these young men, would bring about, one of the most controversial recorded accounts, that can be found from within the Sacred Record.

May God blessings be upon you, and thank you for your support

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Elisha the Prophet Apprentice

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The Leprosy of Naaman

Family Dynasties Unite

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14) <-CURRENT - BIBLICAL PROPHETS - PAGE->

15) Elisha - She Bears Attacking

16) King Mesha's Rebellion

17) Elisha and the Desert of Edom

18) The Blood Water

19) The Widow's Oil Treasure

20) Elisha Gains Favor

21) Shunammite's Son Raised From The Dead

22) Elisha and the Pot of Death

23) The Leprosy of Naaman