2 Kings 3:11-“Elisha…used to pour water on Elijah’s hands.”

Have you ever wondered what qualified Elisha to be Elijah’s successor?

Nowhere do we see any reference to him being enrolled in one of Elijah’s Prophetic Schools where at least 50 “sons of the prophets” were trained. Did Elijah teach him how to be his successor? We are not told.

What we are told is that Elisha hung around Elijah. We could even say that he clung to Elijah. In 2 Kings 2, before he leaves earth, Elijah tells Elisha to stay behind 4 times-at Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan. But Elisha refuses to heed his master’s advice. Instead he says every time: “I will not leave you.”

His only claim to fame seems to be that he “used to pour water on Elijah’s hands.” My understanding of the culture would suggest that Elisha functioned more as a servant or a personal assistant to Elijah who was by his side all the time.

I would suggest to you that Elisha is a classic example of one who proves that the anointing cannot be taught by one person to another. It needs to be caught by the one who desires to have it.

Yes, there are techniques, principles, guidelines and road maps that can be learned. But, there is an intangible that cannot be learned. It does not come by reading books and manuals. It does not come through observation. It can only be caught.

I have learned that what can only be released by impartation cannot be received by imitation. Elisha is proof positive that this is true.

Dare I say that this is true of the disciples of Jesus as well? In addition to all that was taught, what set them apart was what was caught by staying with Jesus for those 3½ years, amen?

This is why many of us do not settle for simply reading books by anointed men and women of God and listening to their teachings or watching them on video. We make the effort and pay the price to go and hang around them, so we can receive that which can only be caught and not taught.

No wonder then that when Elisha received Elijah’s mantle as it fell down on his ascent into heaven, it was caught as well.  Mantles cannot be taught, they can only be caught!