Elisha
Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah (1Kgs. 19:19-21; 2Kgs. 2:1-15), is identified by Noordzij as a type of the believer called to a ministry with divine authority. The two key moments in Elisha’s story — the twelfth yoke of oxen at his calling and the receiving of a double portion of Elijah’s spirit — function as types of, respectively, the sovereign election to ministry and the greater works that believers in Christ will perform (John 14:12).
Biblical Anchoring
| Reference | Context |
|---|---|
| 1Kgs. 19:19 | Elijah casts his mantle on Elisha at the twelfth yoke of oxen — the calling |
| 1Kgs. 19:20-21 | Elisha breaks with his past and follows Elijah |
| 2Kgs. 2:9 | Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit |
| 2Kgs. 2:14-15 | Elisha parts the Jordan — confirmation of his received ministry |
| John 14:12 | ”Greater works than these will he do, for I am going to the Father” |
| John 15:16 | ”You did not choose me, but I chose you” |
| Mark 3:14 | Jesus appoints the twelve to be with him and to be sent out |
| Matt. 9:9 | ”Follow me” — Jesus calls Matthew at his place of work |
Typological Treatment per Author
Noordzij
In De hand aan de ploeg slaan (The Hand to the Plough, b5), Noordzij draws a direct parallel between Elisha’s calling by Elijah and Jesus’ calling of his disciples. The two key elements are the twelfth yoke of oxen and the double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
The twelfth yoke of oxen as type of election
The moment when Elijah casts his mantle on Elisha at the twelfth yoke of oxen (1Kgs. 19:19) is for Noordzij a direct foreshadowing of Jesus’ calling of his disciples. The number twelve signifies the fullness of divine election; the sovereign casting of the mantle pictures that the calling proceeds from God, not from the one called:
“Jesus calls ‘the twelfth yoke’, ploughing on ‘God’s field’ (1Cor. 3:9, 1Kgs. 19:19). He chooses them to go with him (John 15:16, Mark 3:14). He says: ‘Follow me, and you will see heaven stand open’ (Matt. 9:9, John 1:43, John 1:51).”1
Interpretation: Elisha is for Noordzij the type of the one “foreknown and chosen” for a ministry with divine authority. Elisha’s decisive break with his past (he slaughters his oxen and burns his ploughing equipment, 1Kgs. 19:21) pictures the radical consecration that the calling requires.
The double portion as type of greater works
Parallel to Elisha’s receiving of a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2Kgs. 2:9) stands Jesus’ promise in John 14:12. Noordzij cites the promise directly as the antitype of the Elisha-transfer:
“Truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12).”2
The ascension (“I am going to the Father”) is for Noordzij the necessary precondition for this transfer — just as Elijah’s translation was the precondition for Elisha’s reception of the double portion. The greater works are not the product of human capacity but of the Spirit released through Christ’s glorification.
Sub-elements
Twelfth yoke of oxen (1Kgs. 19:19)
The twelve yokes of oxen among which Elisha ploughs picture the fullness of God’s electing action. The twelfth yoke — the last and completing one — symbolises the conclusion of the calling cycle. Antitype: Christ who elects his twelve apostles (Mark 3:14) as the completion of God’s calling action in the history of salvation.
Double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2Kgs. 2:9)
Elisha’s twofold request to Elijah, granted at the translation, pictures the Spirit-transfer that only becomes possible when the predecessor closes his earthly ministry. Antitype: the Holy Spirit poured out after Christ’s ascension, enabling believers to do greater works (John 14:12; John 16:7). The conditionality (“if you see me when I am taken from you”, 2Kgs. 2:10) echoes the conditionality of John 16:7 (“Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you”).
Related Types
- Connected: Moses — type of Christ as prophet; parallel structure of succession and Spirit-transfer
- Connected: Feast of Weeks — antitype of the Spirit released after Christ’s ascension, making the greater works possible