ELIJAH: The Translation – 1
The
churches of
Christ Greet You (Romans
TEXT: 2 Kings 2:1-8
Introduction
In 2 Kings 2 we are given a glimpse of the mighty works of God through Elijah and Elisha. This in itself teaches us again about the might and power of our God. It also demonstrates a God who is loving and gracious and who cares for us as His people. As we study this passage, we must also remember that God does not work today as he did in the Old Testament or even in the New Testament. Today we do not have miraculous gifts as did Elijah and Elisha, and the disciples of the first century. This is not to say that God does not have the ability to perform such miracles today. From a careful study of the New Testament we learn that the disciples lost their miraculous gifts after the death of the apostles and those on whom they had laid their hands (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8-12). In the Bible, miracles were the exception not the norm or the rule.
Regardless of this fact, this chapter reminds and teaches us that our God is a mighty God and is both transcendent and immanent. By transcendent we mean that God is exalted above and is distinct from the universe. God is the source of all the immense power of the universe. There is no law, power, or fate that transcends Him since He alone is the absolute sovereign. By immanent we mean God is very much involved with our lives and our being. He pervades, sustains, and controls the universe. In His infinite and divine nature He is even concerned with our personal lives and needs no matter how small (e.g. Elisha and the ax head – 2 Kings 6:1-7). This means that God did not simply create the universe and then withdraw, but He is personally involved with all of creation in a most intimate way.
Point: God is above the creation and never bound by its laws that He Himself established. At the same time, He is personally involved with all our ways. These facts both demonstrate and declare God's transcendence and His immanence.
As we study this passage, we want to be alert to
the fact
there is much to be seen in the personal working of God in the lives of
these
men to change and use them in His purposes. There are lessons to be
learned
that are not as obvious as in the parting of the waters of the
The Test of Elisha's Commitment (2:1-6)
“When the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind...” Verse 1 calls our attention to the fact that the events of this chapter all occurred shortly before the translation of Elijah, who was one of the key voices for the Word of God. The Lord wanted a replacement for Elijah and Elisha was to become that person. He would take over the ministry of Elijah, but this would mean a great deal of responsibility for this young prophet. Would he be equal to the challenge? Would he have what was needed?
The power that Elisha would need was not a problem. His power would come from God, but he would also need spiritual character to face the trials and pressures in these decadent times. He would need courage, endurance, loyalty, and biblical longings and priorities. We believe the story and events that follow in verses 2-6 were designed to test these character qualities in Elisha and demonstrate his preparedness for the task before him.
After months of training and following Elijah, would Elisha be willing to continue? Would he be as good in the mile as he was in the hundred-yard dash? Was he determined to follow through and stay with Elijah to the very end that he might take on the tremendous responsibility that would follow Elijah's departure? Or could he be persuaded to throw in the towel?
Please note that three times in verses 2, 4, and 6
Elijah
asks Elisha to stay where they were while he journeyed on as commanded
by the
Lord: first from Gilgal to Bethel, then from Bethel to Jericho, and
finally
from Jericho to Jordan. At both Bethel and Jericho there were schools
for the
training of prophets, virtual “preaching schools” for training young
men to
teach the Word and use their gifts for the Lord. Elijah was evidently
the head
of these schools and God was undoubtedly sending him to bid them
farewell and
to encourage them in their work before he was taken (cf. 2 Pet.
Our text does not tell us why Elijah requested Elisha to stay behind. Some believe it was because of humility. Perhaps he did not want anyone to see the glorious thing that was about to happen to him, but God wanted a witness. We also believe he was testing Elisha. Perhaps the Lord was using Elijah's humility and reluctance to have anyone see him taken to test the depth of Elisha's commitment.
Principle: God often uses the personalities and lives of others to work in our own lives in various ways. We need to recognize this and respond in faith to what He is doing. Is there someone whose life motivates or encourages you? Or perhaps the opposite exists. Is there someone who irritates you, tries your patience, or who challenges your viewpoints or opinions? Proverbs teaches, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Prov. 27:17).
Each time, Elisha refused to stay behind. He even used a double oath to show his "bulldog tenacity" to stay with his teacher to the very last. He said, "As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." Please note that Elijah consents each time. He was not dead set against allowing Elisha to follow and this would suggest this was a test to prove the metal of Elisha. What does this teach us about Elisha and about the kind of character God wants in leaders and all Christians since we are all leaders to some degree?
1. It demonstrates a teachable spirit, a desire to learn and know more about the Lord and ministry. Certainly by this time, as Elijah's servant and student, Elisha knew a great deal. He also knew he had really only begun. Isn't that the case with all of us? No one has a corner on knowing God. Elisha was a man eager to learn and experience more of knowing the Lord.
2. He was loyal, loving, and committed to
ministry. Elijah
could certainly use his help and companionship over these journeys.
This
demonstrated Elisha's commitment to others as a servant, the most
fundamental
requirement of leadership (cf. Matt.
Are you an elder? God has put you there to serve, not just sit on a board and make a few decisions once in a while in occasional elders' meeting. Are you a spouse, a parent, a Bible class teacher, a student, a neighbor? God has called you and me to serve and minister to others. This means a willingness to go the extra mile.
This shows us Elisha really cared for his teacher. How we need loyal Christians who are not just looking out for themselves and what they can get out of the church or their leaders. We need servants who are genuinely concerned for others and determined to find ways to serve (cf. Phil. 2:3-5). By contrast, we are too often quick to criticize and cut others down when we ought to be looking for ways to help.
3. He was devoted to God's calling. This means God's priorities and goals directed and controlled his life. The Lord had gifted him with the gift of a prophet. He was called to the work of a prophet. He was not ruled by other desires that could turn him off course and make him unavailable to God and others. His attitude was like what the Apostle Paul expressed in Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus."
As a prophet, he undoubtedly knew that Elijah would be taken. Elisha somehow sensed that being there at that time was vital to his calling and the fulfillment of the work God had called him to do. He was determined, by God's grace, that nothing was going to keep him from being the person and the man God wanted.
Lesson for Elisha in Crossing the Jordan (2:7-8)
“Fifty men of the sons of the prophets…stood to view afar off.” With verse 7 we have the third mention of the sons of the prophets (the school of the prophets). Evidently the prophets also knew Elijah was about to be taken and they too were interested in what was about to take place. Elisha had been Elijah's personal attendant and it was perhaps assumed that he would become the new leader of the prophets. Yet the prophets were not even sure Elijah's departure would be permanent (cf. 2:16f).
Still, there was the need to authenticate Elisha's ministry to show he was qualified to succeed Elijah. So we find the students from the school of the prophets, at least part of them, standing at a distance observing what was going on. There was undoubtedly an air of excitement and expectation. Note that at Bethel and at Jericho Elisha was asked, "Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?" (2:3, 5). We aren't told why this question was asked, but perhaps part of the reason was to see what Elisha was going to do? Would he stay by his master to the end?
Application: (1) God calls all Christians
and
especially leaders to be models of Christlikeness. Our profession needs
to be
backed up with authentic Christian living, not to give us assurance of
salvation
but to demonstrate the life-changing power of the gospel and to give
people
confidence in the message of Jesus Christ. (2) This also reminds us
that people
are watching to see evidence of the blessing of God's work in our
lives. People
want to see the authenticity of changed lives, lives of integrity,
love,
courage, commitment, faithfulness, and ministry. Only God can see our
hearts.
People must be able to see our works, the fruit of the Spirit, and hear
our
words as we let our light shine (cf. James
So, Elijah and Elisha were standing by the
Application: Are there any
Note the process: Elijah ministers to Elisha who in turn prepares him for ministry to others, and so on and so on. We see in this the principle and need for biblical multiplication (cf. Matt. 28:19-20 and 2 Tim. 2:1-2).
Application: Are we involved sufficiently in this process? Do we see ourselves first as a disciple, a learner - one teachable and willing to learn from others like Elisha? And do we see ourselves as disciplers, available and involved in helping others to grow? Or do we see ourselves simply as one called to be ministered to? In other words, do we believe in a professional clergy paid to minister to us and do the work of ministry while we sit in the bleachers as spectators?
In verse 8, Elijah took his mantle, folded it
together and
struck the waters of the
Application: The same God who worked for
Elijah and
Elisha is ever present today and available to our needs, working
intimately and
personally. No matter what our problem or needs are, God cares and will
work to
enable us to do what He has called us to do (1 Pet. 5:7; Phil.
In this instance, God worked miraculously to remove an obstacle in order to teach, comfort, encourage, motivate, demonstrate His power, and bear testimony to a life. Therefore, a question we must regularly ask ourselves is "What is God doing in my life through this problem, circumstance, person, or condition”? Remember that God is immanent! Too often we accept things as merely the product of natural forces or as accidental happenings and fail to see that it is God who has put the bend in the road (Ecc. 7:13-14).
We cannot all be an Elijah or an Elisha. As mentioned earlier, God did not always work through miraculous events - not in the Old or New Testament times. Today we have the completed canon of Scripture, the Holy Bible that is an even greater miracle. It is God's final revelation that records the mighty historical acts of God from creation through the early church and anticipates His acts in these last days.
God is not working directly by such miracles as we have seen Him perform in the life of Elisha. Nevertheless, He is still working providentially in a multitude of ways - through His Word, through people, and through circumstances of trials and blessings.
Here are some questions to ask: (1) Am I like Elijah, seeking to be a blessing to others and used of God throughout my life right up to the end? Or have I placed myself on the shelf with a horde of excuses? (2) Am I like Elisha, truly committed to God's calling no matter what that calling may be according to my talents and the needs in my family, community, and the Lord’s church? (3) Am I loyal and committed under all circumstances like Elisha - as a servant, as a disciple, as one behind the scenes learning to trust, serve and obey? Am I also willing to step out to be a leader, to step out into the thick of battle or into the spotlight, and to take on responsibilities? (4) Am I willing to accept God's assignment whether it means latrine duty or duty in the front office? Whatever the assignment, Elisha was available - and not just on his terms.
This is not a direct quote, but one man said: "The acid test is a person's response to the uninspired moments of the more behind-the-scenes ministries; the ministries which are less glorious, more trivial, and sometimes the more thankless jobs; the situations which may not necessarily turn you on, but which are still needed."
This scene, along with what has preceded it, reminds us of Luke 16:10-13:
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Ultimately, mammon is any false god that gains the allegiance that only the true God deserves. It is any false god we depend on for our security, satisfaction, and significance that only the true God can provide.