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Education
still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire,
and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up
by a whirlwind into heaven.
“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot
of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he
took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up
also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood
by the bank of Jordan; 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. And when the sons of the prophets which were
to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest
on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the
ground before him.”
2 Kings 2:6-15
.
Henceforth Elisha stood in Elijah’s place. And he who had been
faithful in that which was least, proved himself faithful also in much.
Elijah, the man of power, had been God’s instrument for the over-
throw of gigantic evils. Idolatry, which, supported by Ahab and the
heathen Jezebel, had seduced the nation, had been cast down. Baal’s
prophets had been slain. The whole people of Israel had been deeply
stirred, and many were returning to the worship of God. As successor
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to Elijah was needed one who by careful, patient instruction could
guide Israel in safe paths. For this work Elisha’s early training under
God’s direction had prepared him.
The lesson is for all. None can know what may be God’s purpose
in His discipline; but all may be certain that faithfulness in little things
is the evidence of fitness for greater responsibilities. Every act of life
is a revelation of character, and he only who in small duties proves
himself “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed” (
2 Timothy 2:15
)
will be honored by God with weightier trusts.
Moses, Powerful Through Faith
Younger than Joseph or Daniel was Moses when removed from the
sheltering care of his childhood home; yet already the same agencies
that shaped their lives had molded his. Only twelve years did he
spend with his Hebrew kindred; but during these years was laid the