MENTORING 2 Bible principle for old and young. 2 Kings 2.

How long did Elijah and Elisha spend at Jericho? The old prophet would have gone over all the events recorded in Joshua of the conquest of Jericho. Their encircling of the city daily for six days, the priests’ trumpets blazing from the ram’s horns, the eerie silence of the soldiers, preceding the ark of the tabernacle: the shout of faith after the seventh encircling on the seventh day; and the dramatic fulfilment of God’s word as the walls tumbled so precisely.

Elijah would have emphasised the practical faith of following the Lord’s directions for the conquest of this city - and urged Elisha to show the same degree of faith in his new office.

Certainly he would have referred to the total destruction of all the godless people and their animals in the city with a history of idolatry and wickedness. He would have majored on the preserving of gold, silver, brass and iron for the temple of the Lord. Passionately, fervently the prophet exhorted his successor to follow the path the Lord had laid down. Elisha drank in these truths.

50 theological students determined not to miss any ‘fireworks’, as they went and stood facing them at a distance , while the two of them stood by the Jordan River. ( v7) Elisha could not restrain himself as Elijah told of the priests bearing the ark of the tabernacle of the God of all the earth; their practised faith in approaching the teeming waters of the flooded river Jordan; of the miracle of waters receding as far back as Adam and Zaretan, 10 miles north; the priests standing on dry ground in the midst of the River; and the wonder of the vast population crossing in safety. How Elijah would have reiterated, ‘Expect God to do miracles.’

We also. They possibly discussed the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea as God mightily intervened. Mentoring demands wide discussion, for clear grasp of truth.

On the eve of his going home to heaven, Elijah showed how he trusted the Lord to justify himself. His mantle spoke of the covering of the righteousness of the Lord, just as every believer in Christ Jesus wears the’ fine linen of saints.’ This was his final show of God’s power. ‘He took his mantle, rolled it up, and ( as Moses had struck the rock and water flowed from it ) , struck the water and it was divided this way and that , so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ( 2:8) God’s Word does not tell what animated discussion followed, but they must have excitedly talked of God‘s wondrous power. No political talk. No small chatting. Heavenly truth exchanged. If Jordan were eloquent! Centuries earlier, the ark of the covenant under Joshua restrained the waters. Now the mantle ( of righteousness ) under Elijah. Later with Elisha. What is your expectation of your Lord?

‘And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, ’Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?’ How would you reply? ’Elisha said, ’Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.’ ( v9) The mentoring is almost finished. Elisha requested no material blessing; rather a spiritual bequest. The double portion was the portion of the first-born. This was fulfilled in his lifetime.

Elijah replied, ‘ You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so. ‘

Then it happened, as they continued on and talked. . ‘ The mentoring process was complete.

‘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. ( v11 ) Enoch was translated, so that he did not see death. Our Lord after His resurrection was caught up into heaven in a cloud. Elijah in a whirlwind. The Lord God Almighty chose the means by which HIS dear Son and distinguished servants were caught up into His holy Presence.

‘Now Elisha saw it, and he cried out, ‘My father. My father ( repeating his cry ) the chariot of Israel, and itrs horsemen.’ So he saw him no more.’ Had Elisha called Elijah his father while they walked together? Had the realisation of his fatherhood and his own teachableness just occurred to him? Oh, what a solemn responsibility to call a man or woman ‘My spiritual father or mother, ’as Elisha did. To whom do you owe that deep respect?

After the WW11 had finished, I commenced my medical studies with Indonesia in view for my service. A prominent business man in Melbourne, Leonard Buck, greatly encouraged me. Although he had succeeded as a professional, yet he reserved time to speak with and support much younger men. He majored on God’s vast missionary interests, opening his home to us when visiting Melbourne. A spiritual father. BCV commemorates Leonard Buck annually.

The Rev Reg Wright visited our home in East Java. He had pastored a Baptist church in South Perth, which supported their own 10 missionaries . Reg opened the Bible to us, showing us treasures of which we had been blind ( or was it ignorant ). We marvelled at the jewels he left behind in hearts in that village home. I understood when I knew he devoted four hours each morning to the intensive, devoted research of God’s Word. He memorised many passages, recalling in a moment their source. He mentored us. By the way, this especial term is recent. He gave us a love for the word of God. In subsequent years, when he flew through Adelaide, he always dropped ’handfuls’ or outlines of infinitely precious truths. What /Elijah had been to Elisha, Reg Wright had been to Gwenda and me.

Elisha tore his own clothing to shreads. ( v12) then a miracle in the life of the new prophet, when ’ He took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of Jordan.’ He took the mantle of Elijah and struck the water, ’ saying, ’where is the God of Elijah, And when he had struck the water ( was there a delay for minutes or seconds or an immediate response) it was divided this way and that. ’ We know how the sons of the prophets felt, for they said, ’ The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha,’ They came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.’

He was ashamed when the sons of the prophets asked permission to send a search party lest the Spirit of the Lord had taken his master, Elijah, and had cast him on some mountain or into some valley.’ Elisha had seen the chariots of fire and the horsemen and had seen Elijah caught up by the whirlwind. He knew that Elijah was in glory. He did not need a search party to confirm the work of God. Later he appeared with Moses at the transfiguration ( unveiling the glory) of Christ.

Even though Elisha was so well-mentored by Elijah, the first major trial was from the unbelieving sons of prophets.

Don’t be discouraged when the enemy of souls dampens your new enthusiasm for Christ.

Follow the sustained teaching of the God-given mentors, who have enriched your faith.