31/12/2022 - JERICHO’S TEST

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Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho. 2 Kings 2.4

For a long time, Elisha learned from Elijah to obey the divine touches, to do the work in the way pleasing to the Lord, and to be holy. These three ingredients are necessary in the life of those called by God to represent Him. Even if there is no reason to consecrate ourselves, we must remain at the feet of Christ. Whoever prepares himself for the work will certainly be an instrument in the hands of the One who knows all hearts (1 Peter 3.15).

God can use us at any time and in His way, so let us be ready to receive His guidance in order to help those in need. There are millions of sufferers who would be brought to us at any time. But this will only happen if we are able to obey the Lord’s command. The principle used by God is this: For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him (Mark 4.25).

Elijah would not examine how much Elisha had learned and whether he would already be able to exercise the office of prophet in his absence – the Lord would do that. Elisha sensed that his turn had come, so he clung more and more to his master. He acted like Ruth with Naomi (Ruth 1.16,17). Soon, he was approved by the omnipotent and perfect God. Show who you are in Christ every chance you get!

Elijah felt he had to go to Jericho, a city cursed by Joshua when he made its walls fall to the ground. Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, “Cursed be the man before the Lord who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates” (Joshua 6.26). Several centuries later, the curse was fulfilled in the family of the defiant Hiel (1 Kings 16.34).

What the prophet Elijah was doing on these unexpected visits we don’t know, but it must have been part of Elisha’s test. Something strikes us: the disciples of the prophetic schools of those days were quite spiritual and prudent. They sensed what would happen to Elijah and revealed it to his successor, both those in Bethel and Jericho. Elisha also knew. No doubt he understood that he was being tested and therefore had to be approved.

From the biblical account, the prophet Elijah said nothing to his pupil. However, he asked him to stay in Gilgal as well as in Bethel and Jericho. Elisha had his eye on God’s promise, so he assured the prophet that he would follow him. Without saying anything to his master Elijah, he fixed his eyes on him. So must we do with Jesus, our Master. We must always look to the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12.2).

Since Elisha was never separated from Elijah, the two of them went to Jericho. The good thing is when we are with Christ going on missions. When we arrive at the determined place, we need to keep our eyes on the Lord. This way, we will never miss the blessings.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares