ELISHA – A MAN OF MIRACLES

The Call of Elisha

1. THE MAN OF (907 BC) – I Kings 19:16-19

A. The name Elisha is similar to the name Elijah. The difference is in the
last syllable.
1. Elijah means God (Eli) is (jah).
2. Elisha means God (Eli) is (sha).
B. Elisha lived in Abel-meholah (I Kings 19:16).
C. Elisha was well acquainted with hard work since he worked on his
father's farm.
1. Elisha's father, Shaphat (I Kings 19:16), did have
a small.
2. Elisha's father was a man of considerable means as evidenced
by the twelve yoke of oxen plowing in the field that day (I
Kings 19:19).
D. Elisha is referred to once in the New Testament (Luke 4:27).
1. The word, “Eliseus,” is the Greek way of writing the word,
.
2. The word, “Elias,” is the Greek way of writing the word,
.
E. The first appearance of Elisha in the Bible involves his calling to the
prophetic office.

2. THE OF ELISHA (907 BC) – I Kings 19:16-19

A. While there were a number of prophets in Israel, it would seem that Elijah was the “senior prophet” of his time.
B. Elisha's call was revealed through the given Elijah at Mount Horeb, through the
thrown on Elisha, and through the of Elisha.
1. God first revealed Elisha's call when He spoke to Elijah on Mount Horeb during that momentous occasion
for Elijah (I Kings 19:16).
2. As Elisha was out one day, “Elijah passed by him, and cast his
mantle upon him” (I Kings 19:19).
3. The of Elisha caused others to recognize his calling (II Kings 2:15, 4:9).

3. THE OF ELISHA (907 BC) – I Kings 19:19-21

A. When Elijah cast his mantle on Elisha, immediately Elisha “left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said... I will
follow thee” (I Kings 19:20).
1. The promptness of his response and the pace (“ran”) with which he pursued Elijah all spell .
2. Elisha did not drag his feet. He was and excited.
B. When Elisha received his calling, Ahab and Jezebel were still in power and Elijah was still a wanted man.
1. Therefore, to be an associate and a servant of Elijah put one's life in jeopardy.
2. Yet Elisha hesitated. He ran immediately after Elijah and said he would follow.
3. It always takes to be committed to one's calling and to be faithful to do the
will of God.
C. Elisha had to much to follow his calling from God.
1. Elisha had to give up many advantages to fulfill his calling.
2. Elisha had to give up ties to fulfill his calling.
a. He wanted to “kiss my father and my mother” (I Kings 19:20) before he left to follow Elijah.
b. Family ties are very legitimate in their place but often they must be sacrificed to do God's
bidding.
D. Elisha demonstrated total to the call when he “took a yoke of oxen, and slew
them, and boiled their flesh with instruments of the oxen” (I Kings 19:21).
E. Elisha slew the oxen and “gave unto the people” (I Kings 19:21).
1. This feast let others know in a very way what his calling was.
2. Elisha let others know what his work was going to be. He let others know he was serving the Lord.
4. THE OF ELISHA (907 BC) – I Kings 19:16-21
A. Elisha’s responsibility was being Elijah's servant.
1. “Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him” (I Kings 1:21).
2. The first responsibility of Elisha was a very humble one.
B. Elisha’s responsibility was being Elijah's successor.
1. Elisha was to take Elijah's place. “Elisha... shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room” (I Kings
19:16).
2. And so when Elijah left for glory via the whirlwind, “The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha” (II Kings
2:15) and Elisha was enabled to “to be prophet in thy room.”