Homilist 2 Kings 2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah?… Elisha had now taken the place of Elijah, his master, and was going forth to prosecute Elijah's duties and to continue his work. We notice here: — I. THERE ARE DIFFERENT WORKMEN, BUT ONE MASTER. 1. God does not need any one particular man Elijah was great, powerful, and good, but his departure did not hinder the Master's work. 2. It is the master-power that carries on the Master's plans. Elijah was nothing without God. Neither was Elisha. How deeply Elisha felt his powerlessness! He did not cry out "where is Elijah?" but "where is Elijah's God?" II. THAT THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHERS IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR OURSELVES. Elisha had seen the works of his predecessor, and knew that those works had been performed in the strength of the Lord. In that same strength he could also be helped. 1. The advantage of studying God's work in the past. 2. The faith which appropriates that work. 3. The urgency of prayer. Elisha's cry was a prayer, an appeal. III. THE CUMULATIVE POWER OF THE MINISTERIAL OFFICE. 1. Each minister inherits not only what his predecessor obtained, but what his predecessor did. And during the past thousand years all the knowledge, power, and experience of the whole army of preachers has been amassed and bequeathed to us. Elisha used Elijah's old mantle. He was content to follow the old paths. The new is not always best. At the same time neither the old nor the new can profit. It is the God we want, and He is always the same; and His revelation is made more complete through every succession of His servants. IV. THE NECESSITY OF PUTTING GOD TO THE PROOF. How many are content with crying out, "Where is God?" They cry, but don't put Him to the test. It is so. 1. In our religious experience. 2. In our daily work. 3. In our numerous trims.It is no use to cry unless you act. Elisha cried and smote the water. Then God proved His presence. The evil condition of the world now is because we cry so much and trust so little. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. |
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