TRANSITIONING TO MASTER PROPHET

By the word of the LORD, one of the company of the prophets said to his companion, "Strike me with your weapon," but he refused. So the prophet said, "Because you have not obeyed the LORD, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you." And after the man went away, a lion found him and killed him. (1 Kings 20:35-36, NIV) 

It's no secret that it was God who brought Elijah and Elisha together. Let me explain.  It was not Elisha who sought out for Elijah to mentor him or vice versa. Here's why: God intended for Elijah to be a Master Prophet. It was God who intended to use Elijah for so much more than being a messenger. He was also to equip the believers in the prophetic ministry. In my letter to you today we will discuss TRANSITIONING TO MASTER PROPHET. Let us begin today's conversation:

1. Elijah had a point of weakness when he was hiding out.  Elijah thought that his cause was defeated and that he was the only one left standing.
When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, "So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?" Elijah said it again, "I've been working my heart out for God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me." (1 Kings 19:13-14, MSG).

2. God revealed to Elijah that he was not alone. Elijah was not aware that there were 7,000 others who were trusting in God. Elijah said that the people murdered the prophets. He was under the impression that he was the only one left.  However, little did he know that he would be the leader of the company of prophets. The Lord called Elijah to anoint Jehu as King and Elisha, as a prophet who will succeed Elijah. This is the point by which God moved Elijah from being a lone prophet to a master prophet.

The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. ¹⁶ Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah, to succeed you as prophet. ¹⁷ Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. ¹⁸ Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal, and whose mouths have not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:15-18, NIV)