Pouring Water On The Hands

A group of us are making our way through the books of Kings. At present we’re looking at 2 Kings 3.

I’m a big fan of prophets because of their tendency to be against the grain. What I find interesting is how Elisha is described:

And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord ?” Then one of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” (2 Kings 3:11)

Serving an apprenticeship is quite something in any field. To work under a master in the field and learn the trade not only by imitation, but by serving has got to be an awesome way to learn. I’m not just talking off the top of my head either.

I love what I do. I would not do it anywhere near as good if I didn’t spend some hard time learning how to do it by seeing my mentors at work. Not just see them, but serve them. I don’t mean that in a menial way where they regarded me as a general dogsbody (what an awesome term). I mean helping in areas that gave insight on their working process.

Indeed following Jesus’ example, my mentors sought to serve me. They served me in challenging me to be a man by loving God wholeheartedly, loving my wife with understanding, loving my children selflessly and loving others as though they were family.

I am not ashamed to be associated with these men, whatever their flaws. My desire is to witness other relationships that are about serving each other to allow each other to recognise and grow in our area of service by perpetual mutual service.

Thankfully I see snippets of that happening. I find it amusing how often the real business of church in terms of serving each other often takes place after the church ‘service’. If the things I witnessed after the ‘service’ was the main attraction in the ‘service’ it would actual be ‘service’.

It would be pouring water on the hands of each other.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden