THE PROPHET’S MANTLE

Sunday, October 20, 2019

THE PROPHET’S MANTLE

2 Kings 2:13-14

13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;

14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

A mantle (from mantellum, the Latin term for a cloak) is a type of loose garment usually worn over indoor clothing to serve the same purpose as an overcoat. Elijah's solemn, silent act was sufficiently clear and eloquent to Elisha. When a great teacher dies, says Sir John Malcolm in his History of Persia, he bequeaths his patched mantle to the disciple that he most esteems. And the moment the elect disciple puts on the holy mantle he is vested with the whole power and sanctity of his predecessor. The mantles which were used by ascetics and saints have always been the objects of religions veneration in the East. The holy man's power is founded upon his sacred character, and that rests upon his poverty and contempt of worldly goods. His mantle is his all, and its transfer marks out his heir. (Alex. Whyte, D. D.)

           I’ll soon have the opportunity to spend time with a very young student body of a distant Bible College. These young Elisha’s await some word of wisdom from a collection of grey heads like myself. If I can remember myself as young, I might be able to help them avoid some disaster or give them a shortcut through trouble. Experience is a good teacher if it is someone else’s experiences.

           Mentoring necessitates a blending of generations. It does not happen without cooperation and understanding between the teacher and the student. One needs respect and the other must exercise patience.

           Are you an anxious youth eager for service? The ways of your aged teachers may seem frustratingly slow to you but observe them carefully. They will instruct you and protect you.

           Are you a seasoned veteran of many spiritual battles? Patiently instruct and warn those young cadets that basic training will not cover every circumstance. Teach them to think. Teach them to trust God. Model dedication and commitment for them. They won’t do it your way but they may smite the waters with your patched mantle – and cross over.

2 Tim 2:2-3

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, if you are going to delay your return, raise up another generation to reach the lost. AMEN