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Commentary on "Elijah's and Elisha's Mantle"
Day 3: Monday, May 2, 2011 - A Change of Garments
Overview
Today we are looking at the ‘passing of the torch’ or more literally, the transfer of Elijah’s mantle to Elisha.
In doing so we will consider the meaning of this mantle by focusing on just what scripture has to say and point out some of the non-biblical statements made in the lesson.
Observations
In Numbers 20:28 Aaron is passing his garments of office as chief priest to his son. While this is somewhat of a valid comparison, the analogy does fall apart at certain points. First, Aaron dies and Elijah does not. The Levitical priests serve their God in a general way by performing the various temple sacrifices. Elijah and Elisha have a specific assignment which is to call the idolatrous nation of Israel to repentance.
The mantle worn by Elijah and later transferred to Elisha is a Hebrew word used nowhere except in reference to these two men. Even the garments worn by John the Baptist, which appears to have the same meaning and purpose was a different word, Greek. But, it would have been better to examine the ministry of John the Baptist’s rather than looking at the list of unrelated Old Testament garments for meaning of the mantle worn by Elijah and Elisha. Even though John the Baptist’s testimony (John 1:19-28) is that he was not Elijah, Jesus make it clear that he was performing the role of Elijah:
“Elijah is coming and will restore everything,” He replied. “But I tell you: Elijah has already come, and they didn’t recognize him. On the contrary, they did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them about John the Baptist. (Matt. 17:11-13 HCSB)
Earlier in Matthew John the Baptist testifies as to what his mission was. Included is a description of the clothes he wore which bear a remarkable similarity to Elijah’s mantle. Compare 2 Kings 1:8 with Matt. 3:4:
John himself had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. (Matt. 3:4 HCSB)
In the lesson Ellen White quote, she states: “Elijah’s mantle meant devotion, commitment, and dedication.”
While Elijah, Elisha and later, John the Baptist displayed all of these qualities scripture does not support Ellen White’s explanation of the meaning of the mantle. In the miraculous demonstrations of the power of God, Elijah makes use of the mantle in a way that portrays his authority to do so. Scripture makes no hint that it involves his devotion, commitment or dedication. At Mount Horeb, Elijah used it to cover his face when he realized ‘the still small voice’ was the very presents of God and he suddenly knew, as an ordinary sinner he was in need protection, because he was on holy ground. He knew the mantle would provide him that protection.
Summary
- The mantle worn by Elijah was unique and was described nowhere else except possibly the garments worn by John the Baptist. Looking at passages that portray unrelated garments will add nothing to our understanding of Elijah’s mantle.
- Elijah’s mantle visibly portrayed his authority to speak in the power of God. It also protected him when in the very presents of God.
- The mission of Elijah and Elisha was to proclaim the need for repentance to an idolatrous nation. John the Baptist had the same message with the added announcement that “your redeemer is at hand”.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised April 16, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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