Completion of Elijah’s mission
๐ In 1Kings 19: 14-16 the Lord had commissioned Elijah to anoint :
1) Hazael , king over Aram
2) Jehu , king over Israel
3) Elisha as his successor.
๐ The record states that Elijah had anointed Elisha in 1Kings 19:19-21. Elijah threw his cloak around Elisha – a symbol of installing someone into the prophetic office.
Soon the era of Elijah (My God is Yahweh) will become the era of Elisha (God saves)
โ๏ธ But two commissions were left undone. He had neither installed Hazael nor Jehu . It is well understood that Elijah had passed these tasks to Elisha . It also appears that God allows the prophets to judge for themselves the opportune time to carry out their commission.
๐ In God’s mission there ought to be a TEAM WORK.
๐ Elisha waits for many years before he makes the trip to Damascus to anoint Hazael ( 2Kings 8:7-15 )
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Anointing of Hazael : This is the first time a pagan king is being anointed at the Lord’s command . But Hazael would become a serious threat to Israel during the reigns of Joram, Jehu and Jehoahaz ( 2 Kings 8:28-29 ; 10:32-33 ; 12: 16-18 ; 13:3,22 ) .
The Lord gave Elisha a clear picture of severity of judgement he was about to send on Israel by the hands of Hazael . To this Elisha wept
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Anointing of Jehu ( 9:1-10) : Elisha is too conspicuous a figure to go to the war front where Jehu is . He would be closely watched. So he sends a young prophet , caution him to be as quick as he can , both to go (.. tuck your cloak into your belt..) and to return ( .. run ; don’t delay). The young prophet follows Elisha’s order and could anoint Jehu.
๐ Thus , the commission from the Mount of Horeb was completed.
Act wisely in God’s mission is the need of the hour.
๐ โ The Sword that was threatening Elijah ( 1Kings 19:10-14 ) will be countered by the Sword of Hazael and the Sword of Jehu. Elisha will put to death anyone who escaped the Sword of Jehu ( 1Kings 19:17)
๐ Beloved Church , today we do not need the Sword of Hazael and the Sword of Jehu .
We need the Sword of the Spirit ( Word of God ) to carry out the commission that we have received from our Master from the Mount of Olives ( GO .. PREACH.. MAKE DISCIPLES )
Glory to God ๐
โ๐ฝ Mark Boje, ArP ๐ฎ๐ณ