Elisha: God’s Prophet Lesson 8: "Jehu: It is Finished "

When the army commander of the Northern Kingdom, Jehu, was anointed King of Israel and empowered by God to finally bring judgment against Jezebel, Ahab, and the entire family, judgment came hard and fast. God’s patience had worn out. Listen as Jehu thoroughly carries out the instructions he is given by Yahweh to eliminate the descendants of Ahab, and turn the throne of the Northern Kingdom over to Jehu’s family. Those who knew the words spoken over Ahab by Ejijah knew justice was coming, they just did not know when. But they patiently waited. This knowledge gave Elisha the comfort of knowing that God had this under his control.

I hope you have enjoyed studying this section of 2 Kings.  These chapters are full of accounts of Kings rising and falling, military battles, and miracles. Some of the kings are heroic, while others are cowardly. There is so much to focus on: the characters, the plot, and the major location settings, that the understory is easy to miss. What am I speaking about? Elisha. Steady as she goes. Doing the Right thing! Eyes spiritually open! Loving those around him. Motivated by his love for Yahweh and not material gain. So close to God that he hears His voice and moves in his timing. Ever obedient, faithful, and available. A life fully focused on Yahweh, and doing His will.

  Elijah was a great prophet, but Elisha, dared to ask for more. God wants us to PURSUE him earnestly!  Elisha wanted, not just to be LIKE Elijah, but to have a double portion of his anointing and spirit. He wanted to prophesy. He wanted to represent Yahweh well. He wanted to do miracles. But mostly, he wanted an even deeper  intimacy with God. He wanted to hear his voice, and do his will. He wanted to bless others and be a righteous vessel, ready at any moment to do Yahweh’s bidding. Can we not all desire the greater things of God?  In these last days, let's pray for the anointing of the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ’s return, and let’s pray for a double portion, just like Elisha. Let’s press on to the higher calling of Christ Jesus, trim our lamps, and work, while it is still the Day.

For Lesson Plans for this lesson, CLICK HERE!

(26:14)

Scriptures: (2 Kings 9:13-37, 10, and  13:14-21)

Discussion Questions: 

1. What was your favorite quote from this lesson? Read it and tell why.

2. Was there any satisfaction in finally seeing the destruction of Jezebel, and the house of Ahab? Why or Why not? Why do you think God was so patient with them? Why is he so patient with us?

3. Jehu was God’s instrument for judgment. Does he remind you of anyone living right now or in the past?

4. Jehu was not in the royal line. Why do you think the Lord picked Jehu?

5. Why was Jezebel’s demise so fitting?

6. If Elijah was representing the Prophet BEFORE Messiah (John the Baptist) Elisha represented Messiah himself. Go over your notes from all of the lessons. How was Elisha like Jesus?

7. Joel was the first of the writing prophets, according to many scholars. Of course, no one really knows the name of the prophet that anointed Jehu.  No one knows who wrote the book of Kings. Could it have been Joel?  Some suggest Ezekiel or Ezra. The Babylonian Talmud records it was Jeremiah. Where might the information in such detail have come from? Research this topic for fun if you have time. Check out the end of video 8 for more details about the possibility of Joel knowing Elisha!

8. Did any of your thoughts about what a prophet is change after studying Elisha? What changed? 

9. What is the thing you will most remember about studying Elisha, the Prophet?

   
   
   
   

Closure and Final Project: (This can be done together as a group or as Home Study) 

When Elisha put his hands over the young King Jehoash’s hands, he was symbolically telling Jehoash that God would give him victory over his battles over Syria from here out! One arrow represented a  battle victory from Yahweh! What an amazing gift!  But when the king was told to strike the floor with the arrows, the king stopped at three!! 

If this had been me, with God’s prophet in front of me, and the promise of victory, I would have continued to shoot the ground as many times as I could! I want to win my battles, and God was giving the grace and promise to the king to defeat his enemy. Elisha, of course was disappointed, and chastened the king! Why did you stop?

Let’s pick up this anointing that God gave to Jehoash through Elisha! Through the Holy Spirit of God we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Take time to write out the battles you are currently facing and present them to the Lord. Don’t limit them to just a few. Think big! Ask boldly! Believe for miracles! Let your faith be manifested in the spiritual realm, where ALL things are possible for those of us who ask in the name of Jesus. Activate your faith! 

Take some time today to write out the battles you are fighting and put an arrow by each one! Then, symbolically shoot them to the floor of the throneroom of God. He has been waiting for you to do just that!  Ask anyone who is willing to share one of the arrows that represent a battle you want God to win for you and his kingdom. 

Then spend time praying for each other to grow in your faith, and learn to walk in the spirit and power of Elisha… the prophet with a double portion. As last day believers, we have been promised a faith that can move mountains, the ability to do greater miracles, and the answers to prayers asked in the name of Jesus!