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 Elishaâs story â the twelfth yoke of oxen at his calling and the receiving of a double portion of Elijahâs spirit â 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 â the calling |
| 1Kgs. 19:20-21 | Elisha breaks with his past and follows Elijah |
| 2Kgs. 2:9 | Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijahâs spirit |
| 2Kgs. 2:14-15 | Elisha parts the Jordan â confirmation of his received ministry |
| John 14:12 | âGreater works than these will he do, for I am going to the Fatherâ |
| John 15:16 | âYou did not choose me, but I chose youâ |
| Mark 3:14 | Jesus appoints the twelve to be with him and to be sent out |
| Matt. 9:9 | âFollow meâ â 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, HP), Noordzij draws a direct parallel between Elishaâs calling by Elijah and Jesusâ calling of his disciples. The two key elements are the twelfth yoke of oxen and the double portion of Elijahâs 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 Jesusâ 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:
âJesus calls âthe twelfth yokeâ, ploughing on âGodâs fieldâ (1Cor. 3:9, 1Kgs. 19:19). He chooses them to go with him (John 15:16, Mark 3:14). He says: âFollow me, and you will see heaven stand openâ (Matt. 9:9, John 1:43, John 1:51).â1
Interpretation: Elisha is for Noordzij the type of the one âforeknown and chosenâ for a ministry with divine authority. Elishaâs 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 Elishaâs receiving of a double portion of Elijahâs spirit (2Kgs. 2:9) stands Jesusâ promise in John 14:12. Noordzij cites the promise directly as the antitype of the Elisha-transfer:
âTruly, 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).â2
The ascension (âI am going to the Fatherâ) is for Noordzij the necessary precondition for this transfer â just as Elijahâs translation was the precondition for Elishaâs reception of the double portion. The greater works are not the product of human capacity but of the Spirit released through Christâs glorification.
Sub-elements
Twelfth yoke of oxen (1Kgs. 19:19)
The twelve yokes of oxen among which Elisha ploughs picture the fullness of Godâs electing action. The twelfth yoke â the last and completing one â symbolises the conclusion of the calling cycle. Antitype: Christ who elects his twelve apostles (Mark 3:14) as the completion of Godâs calling action in the history of salvation.
Double portion of Elijahâs spirit (2Kgs. 2:9)
Elishaâs 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 Christâs ascension, enabling believers to do greater works (John 14:12; John 16:7). The conditionality (âif you see me when I am taken from youâ, 2Kgs. 2:10) echoes the conditionality of John 16:7 (âUnless I go away, the Advocate will not come to youâ).
Related Types
- Connected: Moses â type of Christ as prophet; parallel structure of succession and Spirit-transfer
- Connected: Feast of Weeks â antitype of the Spirit released after Christâs ascension, making the greater works possible