The Test For Divine Direction

The Test For Divine Direction 

II Kings 2:16-18 NKJV

[16] Then they said to him, “Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send anyone.” [17] But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send them!” Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. [18] And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?” 

This encounter was the first test of leadership for Elisha. He had just graduated magna cum laude from Elijah. The sons of the prophet observed that the spirit of Elijah now dwells on Elisha. But they needed to be sure he will have the keen insight to lead them and the nation. They confronted him to go and search for Elijah. If they found Elijah's corpse, then the masquerade would have been undressed in the public. Their feelings would have moved from awe to suspicion, and perhaps indignation. They are wondering: did this guy hear directly from God like Elijah? 

   Here is Adam Clarke. " Though they saw him taken up towards heaven, yet they thought it possible that the Spirit of the Lord might have descended with him, and left him on some remote mountain or valley". It was a futile mission. By the time they returned, their respect of Elisha deepened. 

    A similar thing happens in leadership when people are interested in knowing who or what is leading you the  leader. Here is a contemporary answer to this problem by Leadership Dynamics." The authority of a leader is diluted if the followers work out that the leader they are following is not being led. Nobody has all the wisdom and all the answers and a secure leader will always ask for guidance.  It is not what you say, but what you do as a leader that truly counts. It’s what the team observes and the quality of your leadership will be determined by your ability to allow yourself to be led". That's not a Bible study commentary. Its a leadership postulation of the 21st century. People want to know: is God leading you? Elisha waited in Jericho unti he passed the exams. Now his leadership grace is established. 

  It may take a little time for people to trust you. Keep waiting. They will. They finally believed fully on the ministry of Elisha. They will believe in yours. Good morning.