2 Kings Chapter 2: Verses 15-18 (NIV)
The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. “Look,” they said, “we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.”
“No,” Elisha replied, “do not send them.”
But they persisted until he was too embarrassed to refuse. So he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”
I have pondered this account before looking at how Elisha dealt with it. This time, though I was struck by the attitude of the company of prophets. As Elisha returned to them, they recognised that the spirit of Elijah, in fact the Holy Spirit, was resting on Elisha. Why then, when he told them not to go and search for Elijah, did they ignore his advice, and pressurise him into agreeing that they could? They were prophets, and knew God’s hand after all. Perhaps it was because he was just at the beginning of his ministry, and he was just a young man. Their request was well-intentioned, never the less it was a waste of time. I’m sure, after three wasted days, they learned their lesson.
We too, especially those of us who have been Christians for a long time, need to be careful when dealing with those who are younger in the faith. If we recognise God’s hand on them for a particular calling or move of God, we need to treat what they say with respect and wisdom. Just because they may do things differently from the way that we might have done, doesn’t mean that they are wrong. If we always question what they say, and they are under the anointing, we are actually questioning God, and His right to do what He chooses, and that’s a dangerous thing. The company of prophets wasted three days, but it could have been worse. If we start questioning God’s plans, and his chosen instruments, we might find ourselves in a very precarious position.
Dear Lord,
You dealt very graciously with the company of prophets. Help me to recognise Your hand on whoever You choose to move through, and not question Your hand at work. I ask this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.