Lecture Notes: Elijah's Encounter and Commissioning of Elisha

Context & Background

• Ahab's Report to Jezebel:
  • Ahab informed Jezebel about Elijah's actions, including the killing of prophets.
  • Jezebel threatened Elijah with death.

Elijah's Flight

• Fear and Escape:
  • Elijah, afraid for his life, fled to Beersheba in Judah.
  • Left his servant in Beersheba and traveled a day into the desert.
• Despair and Prayer:
  • Sat under a broom tree and prayed for death, expressing exhaustion and feeling of inadequacy.

Divine Intervention

• Angel's Support:
  • Angel touched Elijah and provided food and water.
  • Repeated the visit to ensure Elijah was nourished for his journey.
• Journey to Horeb:
  • Strengthened by the food, Elijah traveled for 40 days and nights to Horeb.

Encounter with God

• In the Cave:
  • Elijah spent the night in a cave on Horeb.
  • God questioned Elijah's presence there, prompting Elijah to express his fears and isolation.
• Manifestations of God:
  • Wind, earthquake, fire, but God was not in them.
  • God's presence was in a gentle whisper.
  • Repeated questioning of Elijah's mission.

God's Instructions to Elijah

• Return and Anoint:
  • Elijah instructed to return and anoint:
    • Hazael as king over Aram.
    • Jehu as king over Israel.
    • Elisha as his prophetic successor.
• God’s Assurance:
  • 7000 in Israel remained faithful and did not worship Baal.

Elisha's Call

• Finding Elisha:
  • Elijah found Elisha plowing with 12 yoke of oxen.
  • Elijah placed his cloak on Elisha, signaling his call.
• Elisha’s Response:
  • Elisha requested to say farewell to his parents.
  • Sacrificed oxen, burned plowing equipment.
  • Joined Elijah and became his attendant.

Key Themes & Reflections

• Divine Providence:
  • God provides and sustains through challenges.
• Faithfulness:
  • God's reassurance of remaining faithful followers.
• Calling and Succession:
  • Transition of prophetic responsibility from Elijah to Elisha.