“9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?… 13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.” – 2 Kings 2:9, 14-15
The Vision 2028 demands that young men, who are the wings to carry the vision, be trained by our fathers in the faith. In other words, there should be a transfer of mantle from the older generation to the younger generation. If any of them fail, the dry bones (retired ministers) will return to work.
Before God took Elijah, there was a generation that had to carry on the Baton of ministry to another generation in complete succession. But after the death of Elisha, there was no one to carry on the ministry because Elisha couldn’t transfer the mantle to anyone. The vessel that could have carried the greatest Mantle in four-folds became a leper due to greed. Elisha, having the double portion of anointing from his master, couldn’t train any young person to carry on the Baton, so that generation will have to suffer for this.
Comparatively, Vision 2028 necessitates ministers who will diligently train young men and women in the various ministries to be able to carry on the “mantle of transformation.” This is not just a suggestion but a crucial task. If ministers fail to train, they will be forced to come back to work even after they retire, as illustrated in the story of Elisha’s bones. This underscores the urgency and importance of training the next generation.
This message, in my opinion, doesn’t sound like even while he was dead, his bones still could work wonders. Had Elisha trained someone in his place, that prophet could have raised the young man who was raised by his bones. Though the anointing could still be in his dry bones, the living could raise the dead young man. Elisha’s dry bones will not work after death.
Ministers who refuse to train, impart, or transfer any mantle to the next generation will always be in active ministry, even after retirement. Moses trained Joshua, the son of Nun, his aide, to take on the Baton of leadership to the promised land. Jesus Christ called and unleashed many to continue the work of ministry with the backing of the Holy Spirit.
We can see many other examples from the New Testament. Apostle Paul trained Timothy and many other believers to continue the work of ministry. Apostle Paul, being able to say, “I’ve fought the good fight and finished the race”, means he has prepared many other believers who will take over from him even when he is no more.
LESSONS FOR THE YOUTH
We young men and women should also avail ourselves of training and being imparted by our fathers in the faith and submit to leadership. Had Gehazi obeyed and submitted to leadership, he would have carried the four-fold anointing of Elisha. Ministers should be patient enough in order to train the younger generation.
Written by Deacon Emmanuel Tanor (Japekrom District, Berekum Area)