After Elijah is taken up and
Elisha succeeds him as God’s anointed prophet in Israel, we see a strange
incident involving Bethel boys and the prophet. Though there was a larger group
whom Elisha cursed only 42 were killed by the bears who came out of the woods
(2:23-24). Then Elisha went to Mount Carmel before finally returning to Samaria
(25). My first thought thought at v.25 was, Why Mt. Carmel.” Then an answer
came to me quickly. Though I may be interpreting this in light of my own
experience, I think it has some merit for us today.
On my recent sabbatical I
had the privilege and very moving opportunity to visit several places where
some of my heroes of the faith ministered and were buried—George Whitfield in
Newburyport, MA; Jonathan Edwards in Stockbridge and Northampton, MA; David
Brainerd in Northampton, MA. Each of these men was used of God in mighty ways
far beyond what I will ever come close to doing. Learning of there lives and
visiting where they were used was a reminder and a challenge for me as I seek
to serve the Lord in the ministry of the Word.
Perhaps Elisha, upon taking
the reigns of prophecy from Elijah, simply wanted to revisit the site of Elijah’s
greatest triumph to be reminded of how God had greatly used this man of God and
be encouraged as he embarked on his ministry. The lesson is strong for us that
we should never forget those who have gone before us. We should never be so
caught up in the here and now that we don’t learn from the there and then.
Godly folks who have gone before us were greatly used of God often in very
difficult circumstances. May God help us to be faithful as they were.
Prayer: Father, thank you
for men like Whitfield, Edwards and Brainerd. Thank you for the grace and power
that was evidenced in their lives for you. Lord, help me to trust you and
minister in your grace and power as they did. Use me in this place as you used
them in those places.
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