2 Kings 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Read 2 Kings 2:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Verse 2Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. Verse 3The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?" And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent." Verse 4Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. Verse 5The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be silent." Verse 6Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. Verse 7Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Verse 8Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
Verse 9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." Verse 10He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." Verse 11As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Verse 12Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
Devotion
Elijah has become an icon in Biblical imagery. Through him, God’s truth came to King Ahab and Israel during a period of apostasy. The prophets of the Lord were being persecuted and killed. Queen Jezebel’s priests of Baal had triumphed in the land.
The day came when Elijah’s work was done. He had called the people back to the Lord and his covenant. Elisha was chosen to carry on Elijah’s prophetic tradition and asked for one gift: “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” After Elijah has ascended into heaven in a fiery chariot, Elisha “picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him.”
We inherited the mantle of faith from those who have gone before us. Our task is to build up the faith of believers so the generations to come will have a fellowship of faith in which to serve the Lord.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as you called disciples to gather and teach your church, continue to send your Spirit on us so that we may be faithful stewards of your gospel. Amen.