Passing The Baton

The optimistic successor, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah (2 Kings 3:11), couldn’t be any different from his pessimistic predecessor. While Elijah limited himself to the northern kingdom of Israel, Elisha extended himself to Israel and Judah, to Israel and Aram, to the household of Ahab or the next dynasty of Jehu. In fact, he was fair and frank in all and to all his challenges. In chapter three, he offered help to Ahab’s son Joram, king of Israel -- the northern kingdom, and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah -- the southern kingdom, even though the good king Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab by marriage (2 Chron 18:1). Elisha scoffed at Joram, saying, "If I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you." (2 Kings 3:14)

True, Elisha scorned Joram in word, but he never abandoned him in deed and in war. The prophet had all the reasons in the world to despise rather than deliver Joram (2 Kings 3:1-3). Although the northern king will threaten to cut off the prophet’s head by the chapter’s end. (2 Kings 6:30-32), but "time and again" he "warned" (v 10) the king of Israel of the Arameans’ location, plans and activities. "Time and again" (v 10) in Hebrew is "not once or twice" in Hebrew; it means multiple, numerous, countless times. Elisha was tireless, passionate and active. "Time and again" is a powerful contrast to Elijah’s exhaustion, fatigue and resignation (1 Kings 19) at battling Ahab’s family. Even near his death, the dying Elisha could only think of helping Jehoash, three kings and another dynasty removed, defeat the Arameans (2 Kings 13:14-20).

Elisha fulfilled his potential and duty as a prophet regardless of Joram’s merit or asking. A prophet’s duty, as outlined in Ezekiel 3 (Ezek 3:17, 18, 18, 19, 20, 21, 21) and Ezekiel 33 (Ezek 33:3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) -- is to "warn" others -- the same word found in verse 10, whether they be righteous (Ezek 3:21) or wicked (Ezek 3:18). Elisha was the quintessential watchmen of Ezekiel 3 and 33. He never hesitated to warn (v 10) the king of the danger.

Further, Elijah’s ministry covered not more than the 22 years of Ahab’s reign (1 Kings 16:29), but Elisha served more than twice as long, beginning from Joram’s 12 years (2 Kings 3:1), the next dynasty’s king Jehu - 28 years, Jehoahaz -- 17 years (2 Kings 13:1), and Jehoash -- 16 years (2 Kings 13:10) -- 50 or more years.

The account of Elijah covers seven chapters (1 Kings 17 to 2 Kings 2) but Elisha’s 17 chapters (1 Kings 19- 13).

Also, Elijah was strictly concerned with Ahab and his house, but Elisha strived to minister to both the Israelites and the Arameans. Not that Elijah did not have a chance to engage the Arameans, but he passed. As you may remember in the case with Elijah, he was instructed by God to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria or Aram (1 Kings 19:15), which he never did. The task was later completed by Elisha instead (2 Kings 8:13). For reasons not explained in the Bible, Elisha restricted himself to the Israelites, while Elisha reached out to the Gentiles, including Namaan. Still, while their gifts, personality and ministry were unique, they both served the Lord and complemented each other.