#Character study of elijah in the bible how to
#Character study of elijah in the bible full

Next, when Elisha stays in the home of a wealthy woman in Shunem, he predicts that she will have a son-a prophecy which is fulfilled.Īt a certain point in his life, the son is taken ill and dies, but is miraculously brought back to life through Elisha’s prayers (vv. First, a widow who comes to Elisha saying that a creditor has come to take her two sons is saved through the miraculous supply of oil (vv. Miracles flow fast and furious in Elisha’s dynamic ministry. “…This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zech. It is a pity that many of the governments and rulers of our day fail to understand this, for a nation may be greatly upheld by the fervent prayers of those who live under God’s authority.

#Character study of elijah in the bible how to

It is a blessing to be favoured with the company of those who have power with God and know how to engage in prevailing prayer. The next morning the prophecy is fulfilled.

#Character study of elijah in the bible full

A minstrel is summoned and, as he plays, Elisha receives a prophetic word from God: “Make this valley full of ditches… You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you… will drink” (vv. They go to Elisha, who condemns Joram as being insincere, but for the sake of godly Jehoshaphat, he seeks the Lord on their behalf. Faithful Jehosphaphat suggests that they should seek the help of the Lord through one of His prophets. The king of Judah, the king of Israel, and the king of Edom join together to make war on their common enemy, Moab, but on the journey south, disaster strikes because of lack of water. “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways.” (Prov. Ask God to help you cultivate a ‘servant’s heart’. Without that quality, no one can effectively serve as God’s representative here on earth. For thought and contemplation:Įlisha demonstrated that he had acquired a servant’s heart by knowing and following the unspoken wishes of his master. He presses on, sees his master taken up to heaven, obtains the coveted mantle of power and goes out to accomplish twice as much as his master did. That Elijah was pleased by Elisha’s refusal to remain behind is quite clear.

Elijah’s words were a test, not a command. He would have been able to distinguish between a test and a command by the very inflection of his master’s voice. During that time he had learned to discern the true wishes and desires that lay behind his master’s words. Elisha was Elijah’s companion for at least six years ( 1 Kings 20:22 & 26 22:1 & 51). Was Elisha disobedient in refusing to remain behind when his master asked him to? (v.2) Some think so, but look again at the facts. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. An honest calling in the world does not preclude us from receiving a higher and more heavenly call. Someone has pointed out that whenever God called anyone to a special work in either the Old or New Testament, they were never idle but already engaged in a specific task. Fourth, he was breaking with a secure and peaceful life for one of danger and physical hardship. Third, he was leaving the position of foreman over at least eleven servants to assume a position of servitude. Second, he had a good relationship with his family, thus making it difficult for him to leave them. First, he came from a prominent family and had the prospect of inheriting considerable material wealth. There were four things which could have discouraged Elisha from following Elijah’s call. We have already looked at this passage when considering the ministry of Elijah, but it will do us no harm to consider it once more. Elisha: “God is my salvation” Complete surrenderġ Kings 19:19-21 (click the link to read the passages)