From 2 Kings 1-3
Introduction
Second Kings continues the saga of disobedience begun in 1 Kings, opening about 850 B.C. with the conclusion of Elijah’s prophetic ministry in Israel and the beginning of the work of his successor, Elisha. Israel spiraled downward in faithlessness, ultimately being defeated and dispersed by the Assyrians in 722. Judah, the southern kingdom, had several kings who trusted God and attempted reforms. But after many years of God’s warnings through Isaiah and other prophets, Judah’s sins were punished by Babylonian conquest starting in 605 and ultimately in the fall of Jerusalem in 586. The people were exiled to Babylon for seventy years, as prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer. 29:10). God remained faithful to his covenant despite his people’s faithlessness. The author of 2 Kings is unknown. (The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (2 Ki). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.)
Elijah is about to be taken away into heaven by a whirlwind. Elisha is not to happy about it. But at the end of the story he is left with a greater measure of Elijah’s spirit. In the gospel Jesus predicts his own suffering, death and he ascends into heaven. He leaves his people with power from on high. The Holy Spirit.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
In the previous book Elijah chose Elisha to be his successor. In today’s passage the moment comes when Elijah is taken away and Elisha isn’t too happy about it.
2 Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.”
But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
So they went down to Bethel. 3 And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?”
And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.” (2 Ki 2.1-3)
The author indicates Elijah’s time to leave is coming. However he will not die. Rather he will be taken up to heaven by a whirlwind. The only other person so far taken away by the LORD was Enoch (Gen 5.24).
Gilgal is between Jericho and the Jordan river. The LORD has instructed Elijah to move west to Bethel.
Elisha suspects something is going to happen and he wants to stay with Elijah.
The sons of the prophets tell him the LORD will take him away.
He tries to resist the truth by asking they remain quiet.
4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.”
But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
So they came to Jericho. 5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?”
And he answered, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.” (2 Ki 2.4-5)
Elijah now is told by the LORD to move back east to Jericho. The change in direction signifies the end of his ministry.
Once again Elijah tries to get Elisha to stay. Elisha refuses and the sons of the prophets again tell him Elijah will be taken away from him.
The sons of the prophets tell him the LORD will take him away.
Elisha responds again by trying to keep it quiet.
6 Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.”
But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.”
And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”
10 And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” (2 Ki 2.6-10)
Elijah is about to end his journey and is commanded to travel east to the Jordan. Again we see the same sort of interchange between Elijah and Elisha. Elisha refuses to leave him.
When they reach the Jordan river, Elijah rolls up his cloak and strikes the water.
The LORD parts the water of the Jordan for them. The event should remind us of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt at the Red Sea and Joshua’s crossing of the Jordan before they invaded the land. The event signifies new beginnings.
As a parting gesture, Elijah offers Elisha a parting gift. Elisha wants double the spirit Elijah has. Perhaps double his passion for ministry. Perhaps double his faith in the LORD. Perhaps double the capacity to perform miracles and wonders. Elijah admits this is hard, but predicates the giving on whether the LORD enables Elisha to see Elijah leave.
11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.
Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13 And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. (2 Ki 2.11-14)
Elijah is taken up in a chariot by a whirlwind into heaven. What Elisha feared has come to pass. Elisha is cut to the heart and grieves his parting. He sees him leave indicating he will receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
In a symbolic gesture Elisha tears his own cloak and dons Elijah’s cloak. Using it to strike the Jordan just as Elijah had he asks where the LORD is. Meaning, is the LORD with me, as it was with Elijah.
The river parts for him as it did Elijah.
Story of Israel
Elisha will go on to perform many miracles and wonders. His works and ministry are easily compared to Elijah’s because the LORD is with him. The event of today’s passage and the relationship between Elijah and Elisha point to the Christ in a couple of ways.
Story of Jesus
Jesus predicted he would suffer and die at the hands of his enemies. Like the sons of the prophets predicting Elijah would be taken away, Jesus was also deeply aware he would be taken away from the disciples. He would suffer and die.
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Mt 16.21-23)
When Elisha heard the news about Elijah, he tried to quieten down the sons of the prophets. He didn’t like the message. Peter likewise, tried to rebuke Jesus for predicting his suffering and death.
It seems sometimes we can be unwilling to accept the things of God.
After Christ died, he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Christ’s leaving just as Elijah’s leaving also leaves those behind with greater spirit to carry on the LORD’s work.
Sometimes we can get too comfortable with the status quo when the LORD wants to make a significant change. This may apply to you in your situation now. Be comforted the LORD will not leave you without his spirit or his presence in your life.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2016. All Rights Reserved.
