THE COMFORTER  (Part 10)                  11/08/02

 

Bible Passage:  2 Kings 2 :1-11.

Memory Verse:  “…and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.”

 (Nu. 11:17(b). NIV.)

 

LESSON FOCUS

We shall focus on the transfer of anointing from the anointed to another person.

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

The account we read of in 2 Kings 2: 1-11 demonstrates clearly that anointing can be transferred from one person to another.

What can we learn from the attitude of the one desiring the anointing, i.e. Elisha, in this story?

Consider vs. 2 - 5, 11-12.

Elisha was clear and focused on what he wanted, see v. 9, and he refused to be put off by discouragements from the company of the prophets or even from Elijah’s persuasions.

Would Elisha have received the double anointing if he had been casual and relaxed about the matter? See Luke 11: 9-10.

We have seen from the foregoing the necessity for the believer to earnestly seek for the anointing.

But how can we sure the Giver, God, is willing to oblige our request? Are we not in danger of trying to force something out of His hands? See Luke 11: 11-13.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 1: TRANSFERRING THE ANOINTING

q       In Nu.11: 16-17 we read of how God planned to transfer some of the anointing on Moses to 70 of Israel’s elders.

q       In 2 Kings 2: 9-10 we have the promise of the transfer of anointing from Elijah to Elisha.

q       In 1 Tim. 4: 14 we read of Timothy’s anointing which came about by a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on the young man, Timothy

All these passages teach that the anointing that rested on men of God was indeed transferred, by the work of the Holy Spirit, into the recipients, like water flowing down from the top of the hill.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 2:  WAYS OF TRANSFERRING THE ANOINTING

We list below some of the ways found in the Bible for the transfer of the anointing.

• It can come about through personal contact and purposeful interaction with God’s people that are already anointed.

See the three examples listed above.

• It can come about through Master/Servant relationship with an anointed person of God.

Elijah/Elisha clearly illustrate this as we saw in 2 Kings 2: 1-11.

But why didn’t it work in the case of Elisha/Gehazi?  See 2 Kings 5: 25-27.

• Through God’s speaking and revealing Himself to His servant.

      Think of Samuel and God’s speaking and appearing to him at Shiloh. I Sam. 3:10; 19-21.

• Seeing the glory of the Lord also brings about the anointing.

Think of the experience of Moses in Exodus 34: 29-35.

• Through the anointing oil.

Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil by Moses, Ex. 30:30. So was David too. Note what difference the pouring of the anointing oil made to his life. I Sam. 16: 13.

• Through the laying on of hands, coupled with prophetic utterance.

See the experience of Timothy, 1 Tim. 4:14.

• It can is also be transferred through anointed articles like a dress (remember the woman with the issue of blood? Luke 8: 42(b)-48), handkerchiefs, etc, as in Acts 19: 11-13.

And what happens to those who think here is an opportunity to perform wonders? Acts 19: 13-16.

 

SUMMARY

Jesus says: ”Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…your Father in heaven is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” Lk.11: 9,11.