The story of Elisha receiving and anointing from God is clearly recorded in the Bible and there are many lessons to draw upon in these last days of the end time. God is going to impart many gifts of His grace and it is up to the free will and free choice of potential vessels of God to receive them. Their obedience to God will determine their success in flowing into their predestination and consequently rewards from God in heaven. Rewards in heaven at the judgment seat of Christ are determined by our works and the quality of our works; both which would be affected by our attributes, character and the state of our heart in the sight of God. We will be judged whether we built upon precious stones, gold and silver or upon wood, hay and stubble which all burn away (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Salvation is not the problem, as salvation is a gift of His grace, but rewards are determined by our faithfulness in bringing forth the perfect will of God in our life works, which is also done through the strength of His grace within us (1 Corinthians 3:15; 15:10). Everyone must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:9).
Step One – There is a fullness of time to receive the anointing of the Lord
Elisha was called by Elijah immediately after Elijah has gone through a period of discouragement in which he wanted to die and was told to meet God on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:4-8, 16). Elijah was lonely and thought that he was the only prophet left but God assured him that he had seven thousand more (1 Kings 19:10, 18). As is the style and method of God, God answered to his loneliness by telling him to go forth and select Elisha as a prophet to replace him and, at the same time, started the training of Elisha under Elijah to carry on His work. He met the needs of Elijah at the same time as the needs of Elisha. God is marvellous at divine economy and precision use of His power, might, wisdom and strength! Whatever Elisha had wrestled with in his life as a farmer, knowing that he was destined for something great, finally came to pass when Elijah threw the mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19). Two prophecies of anointing Hazael and Jehu were carried out by Elisha and this must have been communicated by Elijah to Elisha, as part of the prophetic fulfilment in continuing the legacy of Elijah. Elisha must have been waiting to fulfil his calling while working as a farmer and finally the time came for him to serve Elijah fulltime.
No time is given between Elisha’s calling to serve Elijah and the impartation of the anointing upon him but the approximate time, based on the various kings ruling at that time, was about ten years of preparation and service to Elijah. Joshua served Moses for forty years, also being mentored and trained by him, and finally received the anointing from Moses (Deuteronomy 34:9). Elisha was known as the one who poured water on the hands of Elijah (2 Kings 3:11). This implies that he served Elijah, just like Joshua served Moses, sometimes in menial tasks. Everything was a preparation and qualifying him into receiving the anointing when the time came. There are no short cuts. A life of preparation, sacrifice and servitude is required before the fullness of time comes for the anointing of God. Our Lord Jesus Himself, learned obedience, throughout the first thirty years of His life (and also during His ministry) and pleased God before He was ready for anointing to be Messiah and Christ (Luke 2:51; 3:22). Jesus served His parents and was well known as a carpenter in His home town (Mark 6:3). Moses served Jethro, his father-in-law for forty years and lived as a herdsman taking care of all his responsibilities. Everyone must go through a life of sacrifice and preparation for the final anointing into God’s predestination. Even our Lord Jesus. And there are no exceptions.
Step Two – The tests before the anointing
When the time came for Elijah to complete his ministry and leave, all the prophets and sons of prophets knew that the time had come. In their journey through four different places of Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and Jordan represented the passing of four criteria essential to receiving and anointing from God. Elisha had to show his determination to receive the anointing which God had reserved for him. The four places represent:
Gilgal means ‘rolling away’ and was the place where the new generation of Israel were circumcised, consecrated and covenanted to God (Joshua 5:8-12). It was where all of Egypt, representing worldliness and all attachment to this world is cut off. All sin, all weights that hold down from running the race must be given up for the upward call of Christ (Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 3:7-8, 13-14; Acts 5:32). It is also the place where one graduates from eating manna to eating of the fruit of the land of Canaan. Where one is not just receiving from God but where one is learning to be used by God to bring forth fruit in the land of promise.
Bethel means ‘house or habitation of God’ and it was where Jacob encountered God and His angels for the first time (Genesis 28:11-22). Everyone who seeks to serve God must have their own personal experience and encounter with God. God is not just knowledge and wisdom but He is also a person whom we can have a personal relationship with. This includes relating to His angels and whatever methodology God uses to conduct His relationship with us. This is also the place where one enters into a ‘tithe’ or covenant relationship with God, as did Jacob. Total dependence upon the invisible God, who manifests in His own time and way, is the life style now imposed upon anyone who desires to serve God.
Jericho was the place where the first battle began in the war of conquest over the land of Canaan (Joshua 6:1-5). It represents the place where one overcomes trials, temptations and all the enemy throws in our path in pursuit of the reward from God (James 1:2-3, 12). This is where one is being perfected inwardly and outwardly by God. Inwardly, in the development of the character of Christ and in one’s determination to bear a hundredfold fruit unto God. Outwardly, in learning to flow and work with God’s special methodology in one’s personal life just like Joshua had to follow strict instructions in order to conquer Jericho.
The river Jordan was full during the crossing over by Joshua and God devised a supernatural method for them to enter Canaan. As the priests carrying the Ark placed their feet into the waters of River Jordan, it parted like the Red Sea and Joshua and his armies cross over (Joshua 3:9-13). This is total dependence on the supernatural miracle of God to begin the works of God through one’s life. It is not by might nor by human power that one can do God’s work but rather by the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). Here is where one learns not to rely on the arm of the flesh but upon God, nor on chariots and horses but in the name of the Lord (2 Chronicles 32:8; Psalm 20:6-7)
When one has actually passed these tests and truly pleased God, then and only then is one ready for the anointing of God in fulfilling one’s predestination destiny. There can be many strengthening anointings that God gives to enable one to pass various preparatory tests but the ultimate preparation is to get ready for the fullness of time and various steps that God ordains towards one’s destiny. David was anointed three times: one to be king, one as king in Judah, and finally as king over all Israel (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 2:4; 5:3). The first anointing helped him to slay Goliath, the second forged him a national army, the third finally fulfilled his predestination destiny into which he was born to live. Each anointing has its own tests and rewards both before and after.
Step Three – The Final Test to surpass previous generations
When Elisha had passed the four tests through Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and Jordan, Elijah finally asked him what he wanted (2 Kings 2:9). Elisha replied that he wanted double portion of Elijah’s anointing (2 Kings 2:9). Elijah replied that this was indeed a hard thing (2 Kings 2:10). It is never easy to surpass previous generations of spiritual exploits and rise seating on the shoulders of our forefathers into greater and higher achievements in our Lord. Yet it is possible and by rising to the same level of relationship that our spiritual forefathers had with God, we can do greater and more. Even our Lord Jesus expects us to do His works and greater works based on us growing into the same relationship He had with the Father (John 14:12).
The final test requires that Elisha pay full attention – with one breath – to what was going on in his walk with Elijah. It was either so or not so, depending on his ability to see when Elijah is taken away (2 Kings 2:10). This is now full concentration and measured by the minutes and seconds for Elijah can be taken away suddenly. A slight lack of attention, a slight nod and sleep, and Elijah could disappear before he had a chance. Sometimes the things of God in which one has prepared for in entire life measured in years or decades, comes down to the wire and is measured in minutes and seconds. All Elisha’s life preparation of being a prophet to replace Elijah would have gone to nought, if he did not pay one-breath-full-attention at this final point. He could, of course, become a prophet and fulfill his destiny as a prophet but to be able to operate at a higher level with double-portion anointing, he had to pay a higher price. This is where many people fail. They just become ordinary rather then becoming extraordinary. It takes a greater attribute, a greater aptitude and a greater price to achieve the best of the best of the best in the kingdom of God. When there is an opportunity to enter into a place to receive an anointing from God, many people take it lightly and do not realize that destinies are made or loss in those critical few seconds.
Who would have thought that when Jacob met God and His angels at Bethel, that whatever he said and whatever he did, was going to determine for the rest of his life how God and His angels will work with him? Who would have thought that the precious few moments before Jacob died, that Joseph’s sons’ destiny was going to be altered and enlarged by the last few words of the last breath of Jacob (Genesis 48:14-20). And God gave Joseph a special blessing from Jacob, being present at his last breath (Genesis 48:21-22). Who would have thought that the few seconds that Joash the king of Israel had to hit the ground with arrows given to him, would determine his future failure or success in the war against the Syrians (2 Kings 13:15-19). Now that Elisha had qualified himself to be with Elijah in his last few moments on earth, he also qualified him for his final blessing that no one can take from him. He returned from the Jordan with the mantle of Elijah (2 Kings 2:12-14).
Step Four – Do not delegate what is your own responsibility
Elisha was sick before he died even though the double portion anointing was upon him (2 Kings 13:14). When I sought the Lord understanding in how one can be sick when the anointing is so powerful, the Lord revealed only two things: firstly, the anger present in Elisha’s life and secondly, the habit of delegating what he should personally do. In the carrying out of the leftover prophecies that was inherited from Elijah, which must have been repeated and taught to him by Elijah (for Elijah received it from the Lord at the same time as the appointment of Elisha – 1 Kings 19:15-18), Elisha sent an assistant rather than going himself to anoint Jehu (2 Kings 9:1-10). Although he did personally deliver the word of prophecy to Hazael (2 Kings 8:7-13). We are not sure if Hazael did not come to see Elisha, whether he would have gone to Hazael or send a son of a prophet. Elisha also delegated Gehazi with his staff to raise the dead son of the Shunamite woman when she appealed to Elisha for him (2 Kings 4:31). It was only when Gehazi got back and said that it did not work that Elisha went himself, and also because the Shunamite woman will not leave him until the matter was resolved.
Although Elisha was justified in reacting to the youths who teased his baldness, only in heaven will we know whether he could have done a better job in controlling his temper (2 Kings 2:23-24). Whether it was a test of his patience, which he could have done better, or whether it was justified to kill the evil youth by a curse can only be seen better from heaven’s perspective. However, from the New Testament point of view, it was unjustifiable as it is required for all of us to bless those who revile us and thus rise higher into the character of Christ. After receiving the anointing of God, we are responsible to personally bring forth the works of God in our lives and not delegate them, where God wants it to flow through us personally. And we must always in the New Testament grace, have the fruit of the Spirit in fullness of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23).
Many anointing of disobedient people of God, still need to be fulfilled on earth and many fresh new and powerful anointing are yet to be receive in this special end time period when God shows things which have not entered the heart of men nor ever been heard or seen, but has revealed them to those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). Let us have the fullness of Christ’s character as that is the predestination of all of us and boldly, ask, seek, knock to receive and obtain things which God has reserved to be manifested in these end times. Call upon God, and He will answer and show great and mighty things which we have yet to know (Jeremiah 33:3). Amen.