2 Kings 2: 1-8
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”
But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, but do not speak of it.”
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.”
And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” he replied, “but do not speak of it.”
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”
And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on.
Fifty men of the company of prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them walked over on dry ground.
A Thought
God had raised up Elijah the prophet who destroyed 450 prophets of Baal, the god king Ahab had worshiped. Afterward God spoke to Elijah in a quiet still voice stating who the new kings over Syria and Israel were to be, and also that Elisha shall be anointed as the prophet to replace himself. Elisha had seen God use Elijah in many miraculous ways to bring judgement on those who had worshiped foreign gods. Now Elisha has found out that this day the Lord would take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Knowing that he has been anointed to replace Elijah as God’s prophet, he refuses to leave his master’s side. Elisha was determined to receive the customary blessing a dying man might pronounce. After three times of following Elijah to a different location, they both stop at the River Jordan where Elijah strikes the water with his cloak and they both walk over on dry land.
Our Prayer
Father open our eyes that we will be determined to follow you at all cost and to learn from your judgement of generations who have worshiped false gods instead of trusting you. Thank you for the power of your word to teach us of your great love and mercy to all who will believe in the hope of salvation found in Jesus the Christ. We ask for your blessing and to be your blessing to others in Jesus’ name, amen.
