Leading Like Elisha
Great leaders can be identified by how well they lead themselves and more importantly how well they lead others. In 2 Kings 4, we read the prophet Elisha had several encounters where he modeled how to be a mentee, how to lead and how to care in a very practical and outstanding way when he encountered a widow and a Shunamite woman. Elisha was not a perfect leader, but wanted to take a moment to highlight and reflect on the gold in the leadership qualities he possessed.
SEEKING SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE
Before the prophet Elijah died, he asked his ‘mentee’ Elisha, “what may I do for you before I am taken away,” to which Elisha responded, “please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” It is believed that Elisha was asking Elijah for the spirit of his prophetic gifting. When Elijah died 2 Kings tells us that Elisha picked up the mantle that fell from Elijah and began performing miracles. Other prophets immediately noticed and said “the spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” I love that Elisha had a spiritual mentor and was not shy about asking for his spiritual inheritance. Having been the right hand to Elijah for eight years, I think Elisha knew the weight of the responsibility and could not do it in his own strength so he asked for a double portion of the spirit. This realization challenged me to ask myself, how am I seeking spiritual inheritance? What gifts am I seeking God for? Do I have a spiritual mentor? Who am I learning from? What spirit do they carry? Is it something I would want in my own life? As leaders it’s really important that we’re allowing the right people, with the right motives, heart, and spirit to lead and guide us. Elisha inherited Elijah’s gift and went on to perform miracles.
STAY STEADFAST AND TRUE
Elisha was obedient and faithful to God and the position he was called to. He served Elijah for eight years before he took up the mantle. I imagine during these eight years Elisha remained teachable while he had the opportunity to learn everything he needed to prepare him for his season of leadership. I also imagine Elisha developed a character of responsibility, diligence and discipline during that time and Elijah and God saw him as fit to lead the company of prophets after observing him for eight long years. Elisha was called, mentored and having stayed steadfast and true, God’s reward to Elisha was giving him the a title to carry the mantle — a huge responsibility, but also a symbol of receiving authority from God.
EQUIP AND EMPOWER OTHERS
The Widow
The moment Elisha took up the mantle he had a few opportunities to demonstrate God’s care and provision for the outcasts and the affluent. Elisha led the company of prophets and a widow from one of the prophets brought her grievance to Elisha and informed him that creditors are asking for her sons as a form of payment after her husband died.
Though the widow did not directly ask for help, Elisha’s first response to the widow was “what can I do for you, what do you have in your house?” I love that this was his first response. Whenever I read Elisha’s response, I am challenged every time. How often is my first response, “how can I help?” Before rattling on to give my unsolicited advice or thoughts. The widow responded she had nothing but a small jar of oil. Elisha instructed her go out and ask people in her community for all their jars and lock the door as she pour oil from her small jar. I love that Elisha carried the heart of care, (just like he learned from Elijah) in this situation. More noteworthy, I believe Elisha intentionally asked the widow to shut the doors while she poured the oil. There is no denying that spending time with God produces a deep and rich intimacy that will stir your faith to produce a lasting fulfillment, while an encouraging word may only sustain us for a moment. Elisha knowing fully well that a miracle is needed in this situation, he took a step back and gave God the opportunity to be God as he meet the widow in private.
Sometimes as leaders we stand in the way of allowing people to encounter God. I am so encouraged by this example of how God can do the miraculous and move on our behalf when we spend time with him and when we pray in private rather than when we try to move mountains with our bare hands.
Sure enough, the miracle happened and the oil stopped flowing after all the jars were filled. After the miracle, the widow went back to inform Elisha that all the jars were filled and Elisha instructed her to sell the jars of oil and use the money to pay her debts and the remainder she can use to care for her sons. Experiencing the power of God is more powerful than hearing second hand revelation of God’s power.
What a beautiful, miraculous example of how we can empower others by offering our help, how we can help others lift their head by asking the right questions, how we can rally community to support each other, how we can encourage others to grow in intimacy with God and how getting out of the way and allowing those we lead to encounter God and experience their own miracle is the most rewarding thing we could do for them.
The Shunammite
Elisha was a traveling prophet who often traveled through Shunem. A Shunammite woman who often noticed Elisha would stop by decided to prepare a room and food for him. Unlike the widow, this Shunammite woman was noble, affluent and not to mention kind and hospitable and without fully knowing Elisha’s story perceived him to be a man of God. This makes me wonder….. as leaders, what are other people’s perception of you. Based on how you speak, act, react, respond, your countenance etc. can someone identify that you’re a man/woman of God? Let’s be light bearers and light bringers, we are ambassadors of Christ and should live as such.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
In response to the Shunammite woman’s hospitality Elisha wanted to give her a gift in return so again he asked, “what can I do for you. Do you want me to speak on to the commander of armies on your behalf?” I love that his response is to (1) offer help and (2) make a request to God. The woman of affluence responded, “I have a home among my own people.” This basically translates to not wanting or needing for anything because she had everything she needed. On the other hand Elisha identified her need when he noticed that although she is wealthy, there is no one to pass her wealth to. Her husband is old and she does not have a child. What happens next is really moving. Elisha, knowing that he cannot give anything materially, he decided to prophesy to the Shunammite woman that next year she will give birth to a son.
This story is a perfect picture of how we can look beyond people’s material needs and wants and encourage them in a supernatural way. This widow longed for a child, and based on her response in 2 Kings it’s almost like she gave up hope this could even happen. As a leader Elisha put on his spiritual lens to unveil what this woman needed beyond materials things, as a leader Elisha asked the right questions and even went a step further to observe the affairs of her life so that he can speak miraculous words of life into her future. As a leader, how are you speaking life into the people you’re meeting and the people you lead? Are you taking their need before God and interceding on their behalf? After Elisha prophesied, he returned to his home and sure enough the miracle took place, the Shunammite woman had a baby boy.
PASS THE MANTLE
Serving and leading in ministry is truly an honor and a privilege. As leaders, sometimes we don’t get everything right and although Elisha performed many miracles he missed the opportunity to bring someone along with him on the journey. The mission of the gospel is not about us, it’s always about leading people to Jesus and teaching others to do the same. As we lead in our respective spheres, let’s consider how we are bringing others along on the journey? Elijah did it for Elisha and you can do it for those God has entrusted you to lead.