2 Kings 2:1 – 14 “Shortly before the LORD took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.”
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
So they went down to Bethel. Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.”
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
So they went to Jericho.
Then the sons of the prophets at Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
So the two of them went on.
Then a company of fifty of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing Elijah and Elisha as the two of them stood by the Jordan. And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?”
“Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
“You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.”
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.
As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.
Elisha also picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah, and he went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over.
Both Elijah and Elisha KNEW that God was taking Elijah away that day. Neither of them anticipated what might happen. All that Elisha knew was that the man he had followed, his mentor and the man who had taken his father’s place, was about to leave him alone. Little wonder then, that when Elijah began heading toward the Jordan, Elisha refused to remain behind. From Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho to the ford of the Jordan east of Jericho – Elisha stuck to Elijah like a cockle burr. Three times Elijah attempts to get Elisha to remain behind and three times Elisha refuses. The two men cross the Jordan on dry ground after Elijah strikes the water with his mantle.
When Elijah sees that Elisha is truly determined to stay with him until God moves, Elijah asks Elisha what final thing he can do for Elisha. “Give me a double portion of your spirit!” says Elisha. Elisha is wise enough to recognize that in himself, he is not adequate. While this is a difficult thing, Elijah assures Elisha that if Elisha sees Elijah as he is being taken away, Elisha will definitely receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. (We know that Elijah has been moving in the power of the Holy Spirit.) Suddenly, a chariot of fire with horses of fire sweeps Elijah up into heaven. As Elijah is ascending, he drops his cloak, and Elisha retrieves it. Elisha has received the blessing that he craved. Tearing his own clothes apart, Elisha drapes himself in Elijah’s mantle until he reaches the Jordan. Striking the waters, Elisha cries out, “Where is the God of Elijah?” The river waters part, and Elisha crosses on dry ground, assured that God has answered his prayer.
APPLICATION: This is a magnificent story! Anyone who has been criticizing Elijah for a lack of faith must consider his ascension into heaven. Why does Elijah test Eisha three times? Elijah knows that his time is short and that Elisha must succeed him. Even though God has assured Elijah that Elisha will take his place, Elijah is probably anxious to see if Elisha will really stay the course. Elisha’s refusal to stay back and his willingness to accompany Elijah to the end are the signs Elijah is searching for.
Why does Elisha tear his clothes? Torn clothes are a sign of grief, and Elisha is grieving for the loss of his friend, even as he stands amazed at the miracle God has just performed. At the same time, Elisha is also putting off the clothes of his old life and taking up the mantle of Elijah. Elisha has stood the test; he has watched Elijah being taken up into heaven and now has inherited a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Will Elisha have an easy life? Absolutely not! Elisha is going to face all kinds of difficulties. But Elisha has received the anointing that he wanted and he is trusting God to go before him. That’s why Elisha strikes the water of the Jordan and crosses on dry ground.
Psalm 116:15 tells us “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” No matter how God’s saints die or when, God is right there, sweeping them up into heaven. Even when there are no chariots of fire, God is still there and His Holy Spirit still ministers. When my mother was dying, I was at her bedside. Suddenly in my spirit, I could see my mother and a figure in a robe walking away from me toward a stream in a beautiful meadow. Coming toward across the stream was Jesus. And as Jesus took my mother into his arms, she died. One year later, I told that story at a church in Charleston, WV, only to have a lady in the group come up afterwards and tell me that she had seen something nearly identical when her beloved husband died.
The love of God for His saints is passionate and beautiful beyond all imagining. Whether we are taken up in fiery chariots or gathered up in God’s arms, He is always there for us, just as He has been our entire lives. Such love demands our devotion in return. Let us worship this loving Father by dedicating our lives to Him!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to realize just how deep Your love is for us and to love You in return. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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