After Jesus, I would have to say that Elijah is my favorite person of the Bible. He faithfully preached and served the Lord in the northern Kingdom of Israel during a time of great apostasy, where the overwhelming majority of the people actively worshipped Baal and other pagan gods. God’s answer to Elijah’s prayer in opposition to the pagan priests on Mt. Carmel is one of the most exciting and victorious passages in Scripture. In our passage today we will read of God taking Elijah bodily to heaven.
Elijah knew that his time here on earth was short, so he and his protege, Elisha, began to journey towards the Jordan River. As they traveled they went from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho (vs 1-6). Along the way Elijah tried to get Elisha to stay behind so he could make this final journey alone. Elisha, however, knew that Elijah would be taken and he insisted on accompanying him.
At both Bethel and Jericho there were gatherings of the “sons of the prophets”. The sons of the prophets were a group of true servants and ministers of Yahweh, who resided in both of these cities. This association of prophets met, and possibly lived, together for study, encouragement, and service, possibly like an early type of school or seminary. They had been in existence since the days of Samuel, several hundred years earlier. These groups of prophets helped to stem the tide of complete moral and spiritual decay in the nation of Israel. It was through their ministry, along with that of Elijah and Elisha, that there were at least 7,000 people in the nation who had not succumbed to worshipping pagan idols (I Kings 19:18).
The sons of the prophets also knew that Elijah would be taken by God, and wanted to be sure that Elisha knew. Elisha knew, and he wasn’t going to be discouraged. When they reach the Jordan River they knew this was where Elijah’s journey would end. His ministry would end on the east bank of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho, near where Moses’s ministry also had ended.
In their last moments together Elijah asked Elisha if there was any final request he had (vs 9). Elisha answered boldly. He didn’t hold back when possibly one of the greatest men of God ever asked if he could do a favor. Elisha requested that a double portion of the Holy Spirit that had been on Elijah come upon him. During the days of the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit only came upon believers temporarily. It wasn’t until the day of Pentecost, after Jesus’s resurrection and ascension, that the Holy Spirit would permanently indwell believers.
Elisha was asking to be Elijah’s spiritual heir and successor. He wanted to continue his work. Elisha, throughout his time with his mentor, had come to know the Lord’s power. He wanted to do big things for God. Elisha was willing to be God’s prophet, no matter the cost. Many times throughout Elijah’s ministry his life was threatened, and he had to run. What mighty things could God do through us if we would only ask Him for His power to work in us?
Elijah was taken up bodily into heaven without dying. A flaming chariot came and caught him up, taking him to heaven in a whirlwind (vs 11). There has been only one other person to whom God granted the privilege of going to heaven without dying, and that was Enoch, several generations after Adam and before Noah (Genesis 5:21-24).
In answer to Elisha’s request, Elijah told him that if he witnessed his transport to heaven, his request would be granted. It was not Elijah’s decision. Only God could grant that. He did grant Elisha’s request because his motives were pure. He didn’t want to be better or more powerful than his mentor. He wanted to accomplish more for God.
Elisha saw the chariot catch Elijah up, and also received his mantle (vs 12-13). The mantle or cloak was a symbol of his authority as a prophet, and since he now had Elijah’s, it showed that he was his legitimate successor. Let’s go forth today, seeking God’s power, desiring to do big things for Him, as Elisha desired!
Amen!
ReplyDeleteMarsha Z., Bangs TX