2 Kings 2:1-12 (NRSV)
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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
It is not so much about a glorious end to Elijah's earthly life. It's not even about fiery chariots in the sky. Rather, today's reading is more about inheriting a double share of Elijah's spirit. That was Elisha's plea (v. 9), and that was Elijah's promise (v. 10), and the passages that follow show how powerfully that promise was fulfilled.
We can't twist God's arm on this one. God gives his Spirit when and where he pleases. "I believe I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ or come to him..." Indeed. Not to believe, not even to ask to believe, without the Spirit's empowering! Then what of Elisha's persistence in following? What of his plea for spirit?
Perhaps we see here a missionary text in disguise—prevenient grace driving the call for grace, the Spirit of God pushing to the moment of its giving. And the empowered Christian looks back and is surprised to discover God's work there all along.
Prayer
Dear Lord, grant us a double share of your Spirit, that we might live the life and do the work to which you call us. In Jesus' name. Amen.