26/10/2023 - A LEADER’S DECISION

• 
• 
• 
• 

Then they said to him, “Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send anyone.”    2 Kings 2.16

The disciples of the prophets in Jericho put Elisha to a test. Although they knew that the Lord would take away their master Elijah, they made a senseless request in order to find out what was in his heart concerning the divine operations that had just taken place. They thought carefully of what they would speak, and showed themselves ready to know the deeds of the Most High. The servant of God must prepare himself for future trials.

So that there would be no doubt about what had happened to Elijah, the men proposed that fifty mighty men of valor from their group go out to look for him, for it was customary for him to be caught up and appear elsewhere. But Elisha did not comply with this request, for he knew everything that would happen long before the chariot of fire appeared. Elisha had already been told that on that day his master would be taken up into heaven, and the disciples knew it too!

Now, if they knew that God would rapture Elijah, why did they make such a request? Perhaps to see if Elisha would indeed be the successor. If he was jealous or afraid that this would happen, he would not be the one sent. No matter the questions, answer them firmly: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3.15). Watch and pray!

Elisha’s response was harsh, telling them not to send them. For him, there was no way that God would have taken him anywhere, because he was used to following the Lord’s directions, so he knew that what he felt came from the Most High. When we realize that the Word has been opened to us and that God’s voice has revealed His purpose to us, we do not have to question Him, but obey Him. There is no way that the Sovereign of the Universe can err in the information given to us. He is the Truth!

When there is hesitation, the devil works even in the lives of those considered servants of the Most High. It does not matter if those who sought the truth were brave people. What God does is beyond man’s ability to understand or accept. Why would the Lord do this to Elijah, taking him far away and casting him into one of the hills or valleys? This is playing with faith in the Lord, who will never leave or forsake us.

When a revelation from God’s Word gives you joy, believe that it will not be changed. This is how the Scriptures describe the Lord: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33). The doubts raised by those who have not learned about God’s character may be acceptable to the person still immature in faith in Christ, but the one who stands firm never errs!

Elisha was sure of what had happened; whether they would believe him or not mattered little. Since this prophet walked with God, the revelation was real. After all, he was told that Elijah would be transported and taken to heaven that day. Never let them take away from you what you have been shown in the Bible!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares