6. Personalities that sustained Holy Spirit

 With lot of expectations, Saul was ordained as the first king of Israel. But

Lord’s heart frustrated due to the consistent disobedience. He expressed his sorrow to His friend Samuel “I greatly regret that I have set-up saul…” Genesis 15:11.

IIIrd Test:

 The second disobedience of Saul led to the seeking of another deputy for saul. But God forgives the Israel people. So, God comforted himself again, and His eyes seek after a man from longer relationship.  He identified this man (David) through Samuel to help Saul (Fig.39). But God didn’t want to disturb the existing set-up. (i.e., the reign of saul). He permitted saul to continue in his office. May be, God in his deeper heart want to provide third opportunity for Saul.  Saul faced yet another negative atmosphere with philistines. Philistines, selected a leader who is from a fallen angel family (ie., Giants). This time, fear gripped the heart of Saul.

Saul made his watchtower at the last of the soldier’s array. He is waiting to see “What will happen?”.  The little inexperienced David arrived the war zone and defeated the giant

Goliath. Israel celebrated this victory except one person (i.e., Saul). Saul didn’t add feather in his crown. But he was so jealousy on David. He cursed him a God in his heart.

 He got pocessed by an evil spirit (I Samuel 18.11), which led to third disobedience.

Fig.39 King Sa ul

CHAPTER-6

PERSONALITIES THAT SUSTAINED HOLY SPIRIT

Elishah

Elisha, a man of God who possess unique qualities to carry the sustainable friendship with Holy spirit (Fig.40) till the end of His life. He started his life as a non-prophet and son of a rich dad. He is an older son of his rich daddy, known for his responsible work handling the labors working in his father’s field. He was yet to get married. In Israel, there is a custom that, bridegroom has to save his earnings to provide dowry for his marriage. Elisha working hard for his happy life. His Work dedication & his passion with a humble heart attracted the eyes of heavenly father. Elisha was appointed as the spiritual son to the mighty prophet Elijah. Unanimously in heavenly assembly attested by God himself. Unlike David’s anointing call, for Elisha. The call came to his workplace for serving as a disciple to Elisha. Because Elijah is a renowned prophet among three nations: Judah, Israel & Syria. Nation renowned prophet (Elijah) went to invite Elisha personally to his workplace. Without any second thought, Elisha accepted this offer. He left his hometown, parents, richness and went after the prophet Elijah. Then Elijah passed by Him

Fig.40: Eli sha witne sse s the El ija h r aptur e

and threw his mantle on Him (I kings 19.19). (a) Humbleness:

Elishah, is a handsome rich son of his dad, denied his luxury and followed he poor prophet for the rest of his life. He started his prophetic career, not by preaching. But by washing the hands of the prophet Elijah. As king Jehoshaphat asked him, any prophet is there in Israel. One of his servants answered, “Elishah

the son of shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of elijah”-II kings 3:11. “Humbleness” is the first step of his career.

(b) Passion:

Elishah’s passion for his new job didn’t quenched just by serving prophet. His eagerness got developed after he saw the Holy Spirit’s communion and fellowship with Elijah. He nurtured his dream to became prophet slowly. One day in the morning quiet time, God expressed His wish to welcome Elijah to His hometown in skies. Elijah, was so thrilled about this vision. So, Elijah set his work in order and waiting for his transformation. He didn’t talk about this to his humble disciple. But God watches the humble man Elishah

and want to reward him. God saw

the passion in his heart and motivated him to ask from the

prophet Elijah. But Elishah was afraid to ask the prophet, as Elijah is a highly disciplined prophet with huge expectation.

Fig.41: Eli jah& Eli sha wal king betwe en Jorda n

So, he stayed calm.

On a sunny day (after a heavenly call), Elijah wants to go into wilderness alone for the glorious journey. So, he said to Elishah that, “God assigned a specific task for me today” and he said Elijah that he is travelling to three different destinations [2 kings 2:1-9]. On three times. But Elishah didn’t lose heart . Usually, in the summer times Israel have a hot summer of around 60 deg. Celsius. This terrific weather will be an adverse for any travelers. Moreover, Elijah and Elishah, didn’t get disappointed by the hot and perspire sun. This hard work of them, paid a reward. The former one got a heavenly citizenship and the latter one got the double portion of God’s anointing.

(C) Non-greedy for money: Elisha man of God, exhibit his godly attribute in every aspect of life. Though Elisha, was living in an ordinary house, his fame was established in neighboring countries too. He was known by Jehoshaphat, king of Jerusalem; Benhadad, king of Syria (2 Kings 6:8). One day after his morning prayer Elisha came back from his praying room. He was attending the needs of poor people, who came to visit him [II kings 5:1-19]. Suddenly, a runner from palace informed him about an arrival of Syrian official to Israel & the tore garments of Israel King. Elisha enquired further and he told, “Syrian official came to Israel with a news of someone who can heals his leprosy”. According to the Israel culture, a person with leprosy should not be permitted to stay with his home. But in Syria, they don’t have this law. During this era, Israel was partially ruled by Syrians. So, Israel king welcomed the leper officer from Syria, with honor. Moreover, this leper had heard good news from Jewish slave girl, that prophet in Israel can heal him. This slave girl would have noticed the degrading the flesh of this officer. Leprosy is a flesh-eating disease and the person who are inflated will lose their fingers in hands & legs very soon. The personal troubles faced by the officer, impacted her little servant girl largely. So, she expressed her sympathy & told the good news to her mistress of the home. This information kindled the Syrian officer and without delaying much time, he visited Mr.Benhadad, Syrian king. The Syrian king, gave his recommendation letter to Israelite king, to solve the health issues of

Fig.42 Elisha with Syr ia

his officer. But Israelite king, considered this as a snare set by a Syrian king to develop trouble with him. So, in his despair, he teared his clothes.

Hearing this incident, Elisha the prophet asked the runner to bring the Syrian officer to his home. When the Syrian officer reached the home address of Eli -shah & waiting outside with his team. But Elisha didn’t go personally to meet/to welcome him as untouchability is practiced in Israel for lepers. So, he sent his servant with an instruction of healing. This instruction was not considered as a good advice by the officer as he thought “Elisha will lay his hands on him to heal.” But his expectation is not fulfilled. So, he decided to disobey it. But again, one more servant of his team convincing his officer, to give a try for the Elisha’s counsel. The minimized rest of the story is, even after the Syrian officer healed, Elisha (Fig.42) didn’t accept any offertory from the officer. Elisha was concerned about God’s command than any greater things of his life.

(D) Non-greedy for Self: Elisha, a mighty prophet in the sight of God & men was also a man with

selfless attitude. After a tedious

long-journey from the city of shunami to the Gilgal, by foot he came and rested in the

quarters of prophet. Next day after his arrival, group of young prophets arrived with a demand, to pray God for their starving hungry. So, Elisha (Fig.43) asked his servant to prepare a stew with the available desert herbs. Everyone happily accepted the reception showed by him. In the middle of the relaxing lunch, someone from the crowd experienced

Fig.43 Elisha sha re s food wit h other prophets

strange pains in the stomach. Immediately he alerted everyone in crowd saying, “Death in the food”. But, Elisha prayed to God and used a cup of flour for converting bitter and harmful meal to the healthy meal. In this incidence, if we observe it closely. Elisha didn’t prefer to sit the primary place of guests but he is in the side of hosting the lunch party. This shows his attribute of “Others first & Me last”

(E) Helping Others till his Final breadth:

Elishah, though he rose to a higher level in his prophetic career and in the sight of God, but yet he chose to be unselfish man looking out to help others until the end of his life.

Case Study-1:

Elijah ran a prophetic school (Fig.44) where he trained many zealous students in the spiritual path. Elijah succeeded prophet Elijah in running the school. One day, his students (2 kings 6:1-7) wants to construct a larger hall with lengthy beams as their present living space, is very small. While they are cutting the trees using axes, for making beams one of the axes are dropped into the river. Prophets cried as this axe is the borrowed one. Elijah prayed and make the axe to float on the surface of the river.

Fig.44: Elis ha Pr ophe tic School