Elijah Ascends to Heaven
September 21, 2019
Commentary
As this chapter begins, Elisha was still accompanying Elijah whose home base was in Gilgal (v. 1). They leave this site and go down to Bethel (v. 2). Elijah went to visit two schools of prophets for the last time. Three times Elijah, as a test, asked Elisha not to follow him, but each time Elisha was persistent to stick with him (vv. 3-4). Elisha had learned somehow (perhaps from Elijah himself) that this would be Elijah’s last day on earth (v. 5). Determined to be with his father in the faith till the very end Elisha refused Elijah’s suggestio. As they approached the Jordan River, 50 of the young prophets from Jericho, realizing that Elijah’s departure was imminent, followed at a distance to observe what would happen to him (vv. 6-7). Elijah rolled up his cloak and struck the water (v. 8). The cloak symbolized his authority under God. Miraculously the water divided and the riverbed dried up so the two men could walk across on dry land just like the Israelites had done years earlier.
Elijah then asked Elisha what he would like to have from him before he would be taken away. Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit (vv. 9-10). Suddenly a fast-approaching chariot and horses of fire separated Elijah from Elisha (v. 11). Elijah did not ride into heaven in a chariot of fire but a whirlwind snatched him up and Elisha was left standing on his own. In an act of mourning Elisha tore his clothes (v. 12). As Elijah had been snatched away, his mantle had fallen to the ground. Elisha then tests his power by striking the cloak on the Jordan River and the waters parted again (vv. 13-14). This was an obvious confirmation of God’s approval and blessing.
Application
Elisha’s reason for requesting a double portion (blessing) of Elijah’s spirit was not to be better or more powerful than Elijah, but to accomplish more for God. If my motives are pure, I don’t need to be afraid to ask great things from God.
2 Kings 2:1– 14 (NET)
1 Just before the Lord took Elijah up to heaven in a windstorm, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. 2 Elijah told Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As certainly as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 Some members of the prophetic guild in Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that today the Lord is going to take your master from you?” He answered, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”
4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he replied, “As certainly as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. 5 Some members of the prophetic guild in Jericho approached Elisha and said, “Do you know that today the Lord is going to take your master from you?” He answered, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”
6 Elijah said to him, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he replied, “As certainly as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they traveled on together. 7 The fifty members of the prophetic guild went and stood opposite them at a distance, while Elijah and Elisha stood by the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, folded it up, and hit the water with it. The water divided, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “What can I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of the prophetic spirit that energizes you?” 10 Elijah replied, “That’s a difficult request! If you see me taken from you, may it be so, but if you don’t, it will not happen.”
11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses appeared. They went between Elijah and Elisha, and Elijah went up to heaven in a windstorm. 12 While Elisha was watching, he was crying out, “My father, my father! The chariot and horsemen of Israel!” Then he could no longer see him. He grabbed his clothes and tore them in two. 13 He picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen off him, and went back and stood on the shore of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen off Elijah, hit the water with it, and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he hit the water, it divided and Elisha crossed over.