The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!” 2 Kings 9:3
“When Elijah departed the earth, he left a few things undone that Elisha had to finish. In 1 Kings 19:15-17 the Lord tells Elijah to anoint Elisha to take his place (which he does in 1 Kings 19:19-21), to anoint Hazael king of Syria (which Elisha does in 2 Kings 8:7-15), and to anoint Jehu king over Israel (which has not yet been done).
Further, Elijah predicts Ahab and Jezebel will die in certain ways because of their part in the Naboth incident, and Ahab’s lineage will be obliterated (1 Kings 21:17-24). Ahab has indeed perished in the prescribed manner, but Jezebel is still alive, and Ahab’s lineage remains. Thus Jehu must still become king, Jezebel must die, and Ahab’s descendants must perish.
This section places Jehu in power, while a later account will complete the Jezebel story. Jehu’s rise to power begins with no warning beyond the Lord’s command to Elijah. Elisha summons one of the prophets and sends him on the rather difficult mission of anointing Jehu king over Israel. This mission appears to be dangerous, for Elisha instructs the prophet messenger to run as soon as he anoints Jehu. Just why Elisha does not go himself is left unstated, but perhaps his presence would be too conspicuous.”
Paul R. House in 1 & 2 Kings (NAC; Broadman Holman, 1995) 286.
This was a powerful text for me. I hope it hits you in similar fashion. As a CEO, I often (wrongly!) think I need to do everything. It’s great to know that generous service is for the people of God and not just the prophet.
Some tasks Elijah completed. Others were sorted by Elisha. This challenging task, by an unnamed prophet. What’s the point today related to generosity?
Sometimes the most important and dangerous tasks will not be performed by a prominent person, but by a willing and available person.
Are you willing and available to lay down your life in generous service to God to engage tasks yet undone?