A first-generation follower of the Lord felt a call to do ministry. He was recruited by a pastor as an apprentice. But within three to four weeks, he ran away. His experience is summarized: “I had no work to do except the household job of washing clothes of the pastor, his wife (who worked as a nurse), and daughter, some cooking and cleaning. There was neither instruction to learn the Bible nor practical ministry.” When the pastor was confronted, he quoted that Elisha served Elijah, so all who come to ministry are to serve like Elisha. (II Kings 3:11) By God’s grace, the young man could get training and become a bible translator, but many do not know that kind of opening. It is wrong to assume that Elijah treated Elisha, demeaning or exploiting him.
Declared successor: Elijah experienced burnout and wanted to die, but the Lord spoke to him and assigned more tasks. One of them was to call Elisha to become a prophet. Hence, Elijah obeyed God’s call and recruited him as his successor. Elijah saw Elisha, who was engaging in ploughing his land, put his mantle on him, signifying him as the successor. Elisha slaughters the oxen, uses the wooden plough as firewood, organizes a feast, and starts following Elijah. (I Kings 19:19-21) Elijah treated Elisha with dignity.
Travel companion: Elisha took Elijah along with him to do ministry. Paul also took youngsters with him to do ministry. When Paul spoke daily in the Hall of Tyrannus, during lunch breaks, doing his job as a tentmaker, Timothy was with him. (Acts 19:9,23) Was Timothy a full-time assistant? He did not preach, but was taking care of logistics, listening, and learning from Paul. Later, Paul deputes him on important assignments and asks his host to treat him with dignity. (I Corinthians 16:11)
Aspiration: It is remarkable how Elisha was trained. He wanted a double portion of the anointing that was on Elijah. It shows his training by Elijah, giving him hope, vision, and aspirations. (II Kings 2:9)
Do I empower others or exploit?