Do you know Isaiah?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:

“If, as many suppose, Isaiah ranks with the most difficult of the prophets to understand, his words are also among the most important for us to know and ponder. . . .

“. . . His prophetic words can and should shine brightly in the heart of every member of the Church.” ( “Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah,” Ensign, Oct. 1973, p. 80 .)

Elijah and Elisha

Confession here. I sometimes confuse Elijah and Elisha. I mean they pretty much have the same names, they were right next to each other as prophets. And Elisha did several of the same miracles Elijah did right after he was translated. So when I say Elijah was the man, I mean to say Elijah AND Elisha are the men. Does that still work?

Anyway, Elisha is so fabulous. We start out by coming to know Elisha when Elijah comes up to him at his house. In 1 Kings 19:19-20 it says

"19.So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
20. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And hesaid unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee.
21. And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him."

There are several things in here we find about Elisha. First he was wealthy. Twelve yoke of oxen were signs of wealth because each yoke pulled a plow, and were driven by one servant. That they ate the oxen is another sign of wealth, but it also represented Elisha's rejection of worldly wealth and his preparation to follow Elijah and make the material sacrifices necessary to become a prophet. (lds institute student manual)

When we read in Matthew 19:23-24 about how it is easier for a camel to fit through a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, we find this act even more amazing.

But not only that, when Elijah came there was no cajoling or pleading or even discussion about Elisha becoming the next prophet. That he simply put his mantle (or cloak) on Elisha and Elisha knew what that meant and immediately left his oxen is another testament of Elisha and his faithfulness and dedication. Is that how you or I respond to a call? Heavens we usually aren't asked to walk away from our businesses or jobs to answer our call to be a visiting teacher, relief society president, or even bishop. But do we respond with faithful hearts willing to do ALL that is asked and required of us? That is the example I love and take the most from Elisha.

Elijah

I realize my posts have been sporadic at best here the last few weeks. Part of that is because I am teaching a Primary class, and trying to keep up with my Sunday readings I have little time to blog about my actual findings during my scripture study time. (aka children's nap time and clean house time)

But since this blog is more for ME than you, :) I don't feel too bad.

Anywho, onto one of my favorite people from the Old Testament: Elijah.

He is the man!

Seriously.

"What would you think about a man who had the power to raise the dead, call down fire from heaven, cause the heavens to withhold rain, and render a barrel of flour inexhaustible?

Elijah was such a man, a man of power, a man of miracles, a prophet so worthy that he was translated and taken from the earth in a chariot of fire.

Small wonder that Elijah became one of the great heroes in Israel’s history. Small wonder, too, that in Jewish households a place is set for him at every Passover feast in anticipation of his return as predicted by the prophet Malachi (see Malachi 4:6)." (Old Testament LDS Institute Student Manual)

Don't worry he already came back house of Judah. You can stop setting the table for him, he appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery at the Kirtland Temple April 3, 1836. (D&C 110:13-16)

He was entrusted with the keys of turning the "hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers." (Malachi 4:6)

Just a little power that seals families together for all eternity. Only in our temples. Just one phrase that is the ONLY one mentioned in every one of our four books of scripture today.

The Old Testament (Malachi 4:6)

New Testament (Luke 1:17)

Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 25:6)

and

D&C (D&C 110:15)

He must have been something special for God to entrust him with that. And tomorrow we will talk about just that.