|
BACKGROUND
SEA
SEA, THE
RIVER
RIVER
RED SEA
RED SEA, PASSAGE OF
EXODUS
RED SEA
I. The Bitter Lakes region
II. The Gulfs of Suez and Aqabah
JORDAN
I. Archaeological sites
II. Topographical features
The
full background to this teaching is available online at this link
FULL BACKGROUND HERE (For serious students)
|
Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| THE MINISTRY OF ELIJAH |
|
There are a number of similarities between the ministry of Elijah and that of Jesus. As well as some big differences, for Elijah was very human while Jesus was man and God.
Some of the similarities were:
1. Elijah was supernaturally provided for.
1 Kings 17:4-6
|
|
|
 Of course there were 2 notable similarities to Moses (a type of Jesus) in dividing the waters and living in the presence of God. In other episodes though, notably his ongoing relationship with King Ahab and Jezebel, his humanity was exposed. Elijah passed on his mantle to Elisha, as had Moses to Joshua 650 years earlier and as Jesus was to do to us 850 years later.
Of course Elijah was taken up to heaven immediately after he divided the waters. So we need to move on to the life of Elisha to see the similar message for the end time church that God revealed through the actions of Moses and Joshua after their ‘water dividing’ experiences.
|
| THE MINISTRY OF ELISHA COMMENCES |
|
|
| SOME COMPARISONS WITH ELIJAH |
|
 It is generally believed that Elijah’s ministry was one of judgement on the nations, while Elisha primarily brought a message of grace to individuals.
Elisha asked for and received, in terms of recorded volume of miracles at least, a double anointing of 14 v 7. However, Elijah’s miracles were ‘greater’, at least, certainly more spectacular than Elijah’s were.
It is interesting that the two ministries reflected the twin sides of God’s character, love and judgement. Elijah reflected the judgement for disobedience that can be seen through out the Old Testament and will be revealed again at the end of the age on the Day of Judgement. Elisha on the other hand, reflects God’s nature of love and grace, the aspects of His character we are experiencing today under the New Testament Age of Grace.
One of the big problems in both the Church and the community is that there is the mistaken belief that because we have only ever lived in the Age of Grace, it will never come to an end. That God is purely a god of love and so there will never be judgement in this age or the next. This inevitably leads to unrighteous living. In the Church, it surfaces as ‘easy Christianity’, while in the community, God is ignored.
God’s full nature is best reflected in the combined ministries of both Elijah and Elisha.
|
| THE JORDAN DIVIDED |
|
 On Elijah’s final day of life on this earth, he travelled with Elisha to Jericho and then on down to the Jordan. He wanted to cross over out of Canaan, so took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the water with it. Together the two crossed the river on dry ground.
2 Kings 2:6-8
|
| ELISHA’S INHERITANCE |
|
 Elijah, knowing what was about to happen, asked his faithful companion what he could do for him, before his departure.
2 Kings 2:9
|
|
|
Elisha’s bold request was not one Elijah to answer, for the decision was up to God.
2 Kings 2:10
|
|
|
 Then Elijah was on his way! In a typical act of grieving for the times, Elisha tore his clothes.
2 Kings 2:11-12
|
| ELISHA DIVIDING THE WATERS |
|
 Fortunately for Elisha, he found Elijah’s clock to replace his own torn one! Then he was then able to divide the waters with it, as Elijah had done shortly before. It served as a sign to those watching that Elijah’s anointing had indeed passed to him.
2 Kings 2:13-15
|
| <i>NEXT WEEK</i> ELISHA’S MINISTRY AS A PATTERN FOR THE CHURCH TODAY |
|
 The first of a two-part look of the amazing way in which God showed the pattern of the church today so long before it ever existed!
|
| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
|
 We have an amazing spiritual inheritance through our spiritual forefathers, Elijah and Elisha.
The types and patterns they set are of huge value today in helping us understand what is happening now and what will happen in the future as the return of Jesus and the Day of Judgement get closer, day by day.
We ignore these lessons at our peril!
MAP OF TRADE ROUTES AND EMPIRES
Map of Trade Routes and great empires of the 1st Century AD.
Source: http://www.bible-history.com
|
So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
|
A DAVID'S DOODLING
35. The biggest impediment for many in delaying a decision for Christ is the mistaken belief that the present ‘Age of Grace’ will never end.
David Tait
|
Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Facts for Fun: http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php
Marriage and Family Facts: http://www.wwj.org.nz/maffacts.php
Just jokes: http://www.wwj.org.nz/jokes.php
Waxing Lyrical: http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php
|
2. Elijah supernaturally provided food. 
4. Elijah exposed the ‘religious’ people of the time. 
6. Elijah displayed God’s control over nature. 
7. God revealed Himself to Elijah.