BACKGROUND - Elijah parallels Ahab’s lengthy reign in Israel; the core of trouble that occupies the prophet’s activity is Baal worship, allegedly influenced by Jezebel, his foreign queen. Asking for a double portion of his mentor’s power, Elisha becomes Elijah’s successor and continues Elijah’s prophetic work for more than fifty years. . Among his noted miracles are the raising of the Shunammite woman’s son (4:8-37) and the healing of Naaman, commander of the military of Aram (5:1-27). His prophetic work spanned the reign of six kings of Israel.

LEADERSHIP - This story reminds us that God is faithful to raise up new voices for each generation who will proclaim the word of God. The mantle passes on from generation to generation as leaders arise by Gods prompting to fill needed roles and leadership. Elisha does not wrest the mantle from his mentor; it falls to him. Leaders in the community of faith are not self-appointed. Rather, they are sealed by Gods Spirit, empowered, but just as importantly, are attested and affirmed by the community. [1]

THE ELIJAH/ELISHA SYNDROME - What a challenge-to follow in the footsteps of a great leader. Some of you pastors know what that is like! You accept a call to serve a congregation that has been under the leadership of someone who, even Moses would tip the hat to! For over forty years this faithful founding pastor has lead and nourished this community. But now you are the pastor! You’re going to need the support of the traditionalists and the younger generation and you’re going to need lead this congregation into a new era and a new future. But first thing is to walk into that church on the very first Sunday and stand at the edge of the Jordan! So that first Sunday is like Elisha picking up the mantle and saying, "Where is the God of Elijah!"

What role did you assume in the family, in middle or senior high school, at work?

Why does Elijah tell Elisha to stay put? What do their words/actions reveal about each ones sense of mission and the relationship to each other?

In what way have you become one of these characters-the one who passes on mission and blessing or the one who receives a commissioning from another?

This story could simply be retold-though with a colorful and dramatic flourish.

Following the story you might freeze each character and see what we can learn from their role in the overall story.

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[1] James M. Childs, Jr. in New Proclamation (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 2002), page 128.