2 Kings 2 1 18
A Double Portion 2 Kings 2:1-18 This past week, many people celebrated Halloween being completely unaware of a more dramatic event in history. Maybe you’re aware of what I’m talking about. In 1517, which is 495 years ago, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the doors of All Saints’ church in Wittenberg, Germany. The resulting controversy surrounding Martin Luther gave rise to a revival in the nation. Many people came to understand salvation by grace through faith. Luther worked to also translate the Bible into the common man’s speech, and he spent much of his days helping in political, familial and ethical realms. He wrote many books as well. Luther wasn’t perfect by any means, but God used Luther to begin to tear down the walls of pharisaical hypocrisy and thus allow the flood waters of God’s grace to pour into the nation. It is not as though there weren’t other godly men who came before Luther. There were many godly men. But, the Catholic church at that time had a stronghold on people, and the church sought to silence anyone speaking out against it. In fact, about one hundred years prior, there was a man named John Huss who spoke out against certain stances of the Catholic Church. He was a University professor. He was gaining a following. But, the church wanted him stopped. Eventually Huss was burned at the stake. Before he was burned, he said these words: When Huss was dying, he said this to the bishop who pronounced his sentence: "Sir, you may silence this goose but there will come another that you will not be able to silence." One hundred years later came Martin Luther. The Reformers viewed Huss’ statement as prophetic – pointing to Martin Luther. What’s very interesting is that when Luther was ordained into the ministry, he laid flat with his arms out to make the shape of the cross, and as the leaders proceeded with his ordination, he was lying over the crypt of someone – the bishop who pronounced the death sentence on Huss.1 Even at the time of his ordination, people had no idea what type of stir he would create in his lifetime. Now, why do I bring this up at this point? Today we are moving into the story of the transfer of the Elijah’s mantle to the prophet Elisha. Both live in dark times. The nation of Israel does not care at all about the Word of the Lord, and the people of Israel desire their idols. But, there are remnants of people who are still following the Lord faithfully. Elijah has been a beacon of the Lord’s grace. Through Elijah, battles have been won for the Northern Kingdom, and a he has been used to take two wicked Kings out of Israel’s tragic history. Yet, in the midst of all of this good, the Lord has other plans for Elijah. Why would God take Elijah away from Israel in this important time of history? In these bleak moments, why would God allow a servant to be taken away from this world? We could ask the same with Huss or with many other people who have been martyred for their faith or have simply died for other reasons. In our day, you may wonder about a death of a very godly person and simply say, “Why God?!” Sometimes we’re tempted to think, “Doesn’t God realize how important they are to the earthly mission of declaring God’s glory?” We must remember that God always has a plan. And, God’s ways are better than ours. And, we also must remember that in God’s plan, He’s always working what is best and greatest. Just like Luther came about after 1
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Huss, and God brought forth an immense revival in Germany through Luther so now we are going to read about God bringing out a man by the name of Elisha after Elijah. And, Elisha’s ministry is actually quite powerful – containing more power than that of Elijah, but I wonder if we really understand the greatness of Elisha’s ministry. This past week, I posted on my Facebook account a certain question, What is the first phrase (or word) that comes to your mind when you hear the name "Elisha"? (And, I'm not talking about my son. I'm talking about the one in the Bible.) These are some of the responses I received: double portion, saw his mentor go up in a chariot of fire, bald, baldy who called out some bears, obedient, servant, friend to the end. Then I got this response from someone in the church who shall remain nameless: “Our pastor named his kid after him, so there must be something cooler about him than Elijah.” While we laugh at that, I feel it is true. Plus, we need to move into texts on Elisha because I recently called my son Elijah and that needs to stop. But, back to the difference between Elijah and Elisha. I did name my son Elisha because there is something “cooler about him than Elijah.” Now hear me, I never want to negate Elijah’s ministry, but we must see Elijah’s ministry in the overall scope of the Scriptures. Elijah is a forerunner. Elijah’s ministry also points to the greatest forerunner, John the Baptist. But, Elijah’s ministry was intended to decrease so that another man’s ministry could increase. We see this clearly in today’s text and I hope that we are going to walk away with a great appreciation for God’s complete, sovereign control over all events and we are also going to walk away with a greater adoration for the ways we are pointed to Christ! Remember, our desire is to see Jesus clearly so that we might be able to comprehend the Scriptures. As Jesus said, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”2 So, let’s read 2 Kings 2:1-6 together. I find the starting of this chapter very interesting: “And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind. . . .”3 This comes right after Elijah’s ordeal with Ahaziah, and Ahaziah dies. Then, without any suspense whatsoever, we are given a forewarning that Elijah’s leaving. I think that anyone who reads the stories of Elijah would have a sense of sadness. You’ve been rooting for him all along. You’ve read the story of Mount Carmel, the widow of Zarephath, the little boy being brought back to life. You know that Elijah is going to be replaced by Elisha, but maybe you tend to think that it’s not going to come quickly because you do read that Elijah pronounces judgment on Ahab and also Ahaziah. You think, “This is just getting good,” and then the author gives you no suspense at all and simply tells you the end of the story. I’m reminded of a time when Tracy and I were in high school and she was reading a certain book series. While she was reading one of the books, there was another student who had finished before her, and he seemed to want to talk to her about the book, but for whatever reason, he really wanted to spoil everything. So, while Tracy was coming to the last few pages of this book that was a few hundred pages, this so-called friend gave away the ending. You can imagine the feelings rising up in Tracy. And, even now I am upset that someone would be so rude. The question is, “Is this what the author of Kings is doing?” Why would he tell us this scenario up-front? Well, I think there’s at least a three-fold reason. First, the fact that Elijah is leaving is not the end of the story. We need to realize that the focus of 1 and 2 Kings is on God working in the nation of Israel. It is not primarily about people working on His behalf. So, the fact that he is leaving should cause us to anticipate what God is doing 2
The New King James Version. 1982 (Lk 24:44–45). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2|Page 3
next. Second, throughout this story, it seems like “everyone” knows that Elijah’s about to leave. So, we are filled in with this detail, too – seeking to understand what is going to take place. Again, we are left with an anticipation of what is going to happen. Third, I believe God wants us to see His faithfulness not only to the nation of Israel, but also to His servant, Elijah. We see God’s faithfulness clearly through the way in which Elijah is going to be taken and also even in how God calls Elijah to travel through the cities. 1. God is faithful to His servant and His people. First, note again what God says about Elijah’s departure. He is going to be taken up to Heaven in a whirlwind. This is a very odd and unheard of occurrence in anywhere else in the Bible. The only other time we hear of another man ever being taken up and not dying is Enoch. Moses writes this in Genesis, “23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”4 We get four verses on Enoch, and you get the feel that this type of scenario is not common. You’re just left amazed that God did this. And, you walk away realizing, “Wow, Enoch must have been a very godly man to be able to have such a great thing happen to him.” This is the same type of response we ought to have with Elijah. And, this type of response also confirms to the nation of Israel that they ought to continue to heed the words of Elijah – even after his departure. But, let’s look further into the miraculousness of this event. In addition to the fact that there is no other evidence that God has done this for any other human being, you also get the feel of Scripture that the general pattern is that in order to go up to Heaven, you must go down first. The ESV Study Bible puts it this way, “The OT more characteristically speaks of the deceased’s ‘going down’ to Sheol, the world of the dead (e.g., Job 7:9; Isa. 57:9; see note on 1 Sam. 2:6). It was the fate even of mighty heroes of the Hebrew tradition to be ‘gathered to their people’ in this way (e.g., Gen. 25:7–8; 1 Kings 2:10). Elijah represents a remarkable exception to this way of speaking.” Genesis 25:7-8 speaks of Abraham’s death in this way, “8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.”5 1 Kings talks about David’s death by saying, “10 So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David.”6 This is not to say that David and Abraham did not enter into God’s presence after their death. Even Jesus said: ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”7 Jesus says that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were still living. But, none of them have this profound privilege of not dying before they lived in God’s presence. 32
We can’t be completely sure why God chose Enoch and Elijah. But, we can say this about God’s ways with Elijah: “God is faithful to His servant!” The Elijah on the mountain who was discouraged because God’s ways didn’t lead to a national revival is now the Elijah who is being taken up into the arms of His LORD. Elijah has suffered. Elijah has endured. Elijah has remained one who is trusting in His God. And, God has remained faithful to His promises and hence to His servant. What a comforting picture this paints for us. I’m reminded of the passage of Scripture that says that God will do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or even think. Elijah could not begin to fathom all the riches in store for him. But, he was about to. Oh, and Ventura, remember that God is always faithful to you as well. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”8 Romans 8:18 also says, “18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
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The New King James Version. 1982 (Ge 5:23–24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. The New King James Version. 1982 (Ge 25:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 6 The New King James Version. 1982 (1 Ki 2:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 7 The New King James Version. 1982 (Mt 22:32). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 8 The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Co 4:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 3|Page 5
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”9 We most likely will not experience the same type of transport of Elijah, but remember this, all who have trusted in Christ are in the Father’s hands and He grants His children a treasure in the Heavens, and in that place we will have fullness of joy. In your situations of life, you may be experiencing the dark moments of despair or you may be experiencing the mountain-top high, but I simply want to encourage you this morning to continue to put your hope in the Lord, not your experience and know that God is working all things together for good and for His great ends because He has made a promise to His children and He is faithful to His glory and His Word. But, we don’t see God’s faithfulness to Elijah, and even to the nation of Israel, through his departure. We also see it in his travels. Elijah travels from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho to the Jordan River. This can seem unimportant and confusing at first, but when you read further in chapter two, you read Elisha retracing these steps backwards. Therefore, you walk away thinking that there is some importance to it. But, what is the importance? Well, I’m glad you asked! I think we’d all be confused if we don’t understand the travels of Israel into the land with Joshua. This is a retracing of Israel’s footsteps in the land. And, it’s pointing people all the way back to God’s covenant faithfulness. That seems to be made even more clear, by the way, by the fact that Elijah parts the waters of Jordan as well. In all of this, I think that this, too, is an affirmation to the people and to Elijah himself, that God has been working through him and that he is a truly great prophet – on par with Moses. He was and is meant to point the people to the LORD who is God. So, we see that the end of Elijah’s life (his departure) and the means to that end (the travels to the cities) are meant to point people to the fact that God is faithful to His servant and His people. But, now we move on to see more in this story. Remember, there’s a transferal of leadership here. So, we are reintroduced to Elisha. We clearly get to understand Elisha’s heart in this text – a heart for God’s glory. 2. Elisha has a passion for God’s glory. The first story of Elisha is told in 1 Kings 19. Elijah walks by Elisha while he is plowing the field with twelve oxen and Elijah takes his mantle and simply throws it on Elisha. Keep in mind this is after the Elijah’s experience of Mount Carmel and the apparent “fizzling” of his plans. Elijah doesn’t seem too excited about God’s decision there, but he does obey the Lord. In contrast to Elijah, Elisha is quick to understand and obey the call of God on his life. He asks to go back and kiss his parents. In the books of the Kings, we get a clear understanding of what kissing symbolizes. To “kiss” Baal meant to depart from the Lord. For Elisha to say, “Let me kiss my parents,” he is not saying, “Let me go back and just have a little more time with them.” Elisha is saying that he wants to tell them that He is leaving! He wants to obey the Lord not matter what the call on his life may be. Elisha has a zeal for the glory of the Lord. Oh how I pray for all of us as a church, Ventura, that we would have a zeal for the Lord. Consistently I’m praying for us that God would hallow His glory in our hearts, that we’d have no other gods before Him and that we would not covet anything in this world because He is our satisfaction! OH, how I wish that we can say the words of the great missionary of the 19th century, David Livingston, “Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me; lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any tie, save the tie that binds me to Thy service and to Thy heart. My Jesus, my King, my Life and my All, I again consecrate my life to Thee.” Let us be a people who says, “Lordwilling” and really mean it!
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The New King James Version. 1982 (Ro 8:18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 4|Page
Elisha’s passion for God’s glory is revealed even in the midst of all these travels. At each city where they went, Elisha was confronted with the city prophets. The prophets would say, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” 10 Elisha’s response would be, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” Then we would hear Elijah say, ““Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to [Gilgal or Bethel or Jericho].” What is the significance of this type of scenario? First, regarding the prophets, I believe that Elisha does not want the people to speak of Elijah’s departure before it is time. We see clearly that Elisha does not want to think about it. We also see that he wants to follow Elijah wherever he goes because God’s spirit is on Elijah. And, God has been and will continue to use Elijah until he leaves. Therefore, as some people say, “Don’t get ahead of yourself!” Secondly, with regards to Elijah’s statements to Elisha, I think we have more clarity. Some people believe that Elijah is testing Elisha here, and that could be, but I think that is more speculation. There’s nothing in the text that says that Elijah is testing him nor does it indicate that Elijah just wants Elisha to leave him alone (which has been a thought that, for whatever reason, has lurked in my mind before). Personally, I think it reveals that there is something in Elisha’s heart that he wants. Elisha knows that Elijah is leaving. He wants to ask for something and he doesn’t know how to say it. Now, before you say, “Wait a second, Pastor Timothy, aren’t you being speculative here?” Maybe, but I think I have warrant from the text. Look at verse 9, “And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”11 It seems like Elijah is finally going to give Elisha a chance to ask that nagging question that has been on his mind from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho to the Jordan River. Finally, Elijah gives Elisha to speak. And, you notice how seemingly quickly Elisha gives a response. Elisha wants a double portion. “Elisha said, ‘Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.’”12 This is a huge request. What was Elisha really asking for? Deuteronomy 21:17 talks about giving a double portion of the father’s estate to a firstborn son. One commentator writes, “Elisha is asking that he be granted special privileges as his master’s successor, possibly as the leader of a community of prophets.”13 Some may call this arrogance for Elisha to ask such a thing. But, I believe that Elisha has a greater awareness of what he is getting into. Listen, if I lived during Elijah’s day, I don’t know if I’d look up to him. Much of Israel didn’t like or listen to Elijah. From a worldly perspective, Elijah was a failure. Even with a huge display of fire on an alter, Elijah couldn’t maintain a following. People still went back to Baal. I’ve mentioned this before, but I think it’s helpful to reiterate. Elijah showed up, disappeared for three years. Came back with a great display on Mount Carmel, was hated and then was told by God that his ministry was going to end. Why would Elisha want to follow this man? It is purely by the grace of God that Elisha’s eyes were opened! He wants God and God’s glory. He wants to follow in Elijah’s footsteps not merely because Elijah was a great man of faith, but because Elijah’s God is great! He wants more of God. He understands the psalmist who says, “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”14 Elisha recognizes God as his portion and he wants more of God. He wants to know him to greater degrees and be entrusted with God’s Word to proclaim in greater ways.
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The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 12 The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 13 House, P. R. (1995). Vol. 8: 1, 2 Kings. The New American Commentary (258). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. [quoting G.H. Jones, 1 and 2 Kings, NCB (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984) 2:385.] 14 The New King James Version. 1982 (Ps 73:26). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 5|Page 11
This is a beautiful prayer and it is something that I think many people may take for granted. Some may say, “Oh, isn’t that nice. He wants more of God.” But, this really is a miraculous request! This meant, more knowledge of God and more miracles for the nation of Israel. And, it would take the power of God to grant it. That is why Elijah says, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”15 If Elisha would have said, “Can I have your staff before you go as a little memento,” then Elijah could have easily given it. But, Elijah can’t grant something that isn’t his to grant. He can only go to God for those types of requests. So, Elijah says that if Elisha sees him go up into Heaven, he will have it. This is a kind of “If the Lord wills for you to see me, then you will have the double portion.” This conversation should bring along with it some tension. Elijah is talking about his departure, the prophets have been talking about his departure. What happened the last time Elijah simply departed to another country? The Word of the Lord went with him. Elisha does not want that to happen, but Elijah cannot make the promise that the Word of the Lord will remain strong in the land. He cannot presume on God’s kindness and say that the next generation is going to experience great, or even greater, miracles. Will God work as He did before? We will see that, but let’s take a step back for a moment because I want to move to another point that is made clearly in this text as well. 3. The Lord is God. Elijah’s name means “the Lord is my God.” It is no wonder that the pinnacle of Elijah’s ministry experience is when all the nation of Israel confesses, “The LORD, he is God.” Elijah’s ministry was to proclaim that the LORD, he is God. Even though Elijah might think he failed in communicating that, the people got the message. The Mount Carmel story is still being told today. Even at the writing of 1 Kings, it had been many, many years. The story had been remembered. But, it is not only at Mount Carmel or in Zarephath that we see that the LORD is God and possesses power over the perceived gods in the world. Even at the end of Elijah’s life, we find that the LORD continually possesses power! We see this first in the crossing of the Jordan River. Again, this reminds us of the Israelites crossing the waters on dry land. But, in this story, I think there are connotations that must not be forgotten. Remember that Baal was considered the god of the storm – which blessed the land. The Lord has already proven that Baal has no power over Him in that arena. Now, in Elijah’s departure, the Lord reveals that He’s more powerful than Baal again. Baal’s archenemy, Yam, was the god of the sea and rivers who desired to make Baal subservient to him and had failed in causing Baal to submit. Therefore, Baal had power over the rivers and sea. Yet, here we find that Baal has no power over it. The LORD does. So, we’ve seen in previous stories that Baal, Mot, and Yam have all been thwarted by the LORD because they are all mere idols. There is one God, the LORD. He is a faithful God and He is to be submitted to! And, if we entrust ourselves to Him, He will ensure that we are cared for all the way to the end – just like Elijah is cared for. But, it is not only through the parting of the water that we see that the LORD is God, but we also see it this truth through Elijah’s departure itself. Note that Elijah is not taken up by the horses and chariot of fire. It’s the wind that takes him up. Again, this relates back to Baal. Baal was referred to as the “Rider of the Clouds.” But the Lord counters that claim and says that is His right. Deuteronomy 33:26 says, “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds.”16 Ps 68:4 says, “Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him.”17 15
The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. The New King James Version. 1982 (Dt 33:26). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 17 The New King James Version. 1982 (Ps 68:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 6|Page 16
The LORD is taking Elijah up to heaven through His own power – a power that Baal possesses none of. But, what’s the point of the chariot and the horses of fire? The text says that they were used to separate Elisha from Elijah. So, why does Elisha say, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”18 Some people interpret that to mean, “Elijah, look, there’s a chariot and horsemen!” But, that would be stating the obvious wouldn’t it? Elijah gets sucked up into this heavenly windstorm and Elisha says, “Hey, look, fiery horses and a fiery chariot!” Two things help us to understand this phrase. First is the language seems to indicate that Elisha is describing Elijah himself. Elijah is his “father.” In other words, Elijah is Elisha’s mentor from whom he has been blessed. Then the following phrase seems to be descriptive. Not only is Elijah his father, but Elijah is the chariot of Israel and its horsemen. Before you think I’m going too far in saying that, I think we gain a better understanding of this phrase when we read of Elisha’s death. Second Kings 13:14 writes that the king of Israel says to him, “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!”19 What this means is that the prophets were viewed as the strength and protection for Israel. This was legitimately the case because it was through the prophets that the LORD worked. God’s power was in them and He enabled the prophets to speak much on military issues. Therefore, you read the psalmist saying, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”20 It is not that Israel didn’t use chariots and horses, but David is saying that his ultimate trust comes in the LORD – not a chariot or horse. So, Elisha’s cry is basically saying that Israel’s protection is leaving! Elisha is sad. It seems all through this chapter, Elisha has been sad at the prospect of losing Elijah. And, now the moment has come. He yells out, “Father, Father, our protection and hope is gone!” This is a cry from a sincere and loving follower of God and Elijah. And, I think many of us can relate to Elisha as well. There are times when it seems like things are working against us and we think that God has taken away all our protection and hope is gone only to later find out that God was actually working things out for greater good. Elisha doesn’t see this yet. But, he notices the mantle that has fallen. He picks it up and then begins to retrace Elijah’s footsteps. There are the prophets of the LORD from Jericho on the other side who have stayed there and are watching, and then Elisha says, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. 15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him.21 Did God leave Elisha simply because Elijah is gone? No. God stayed. As I think of this I am reminded of a critical truth. God’s people are always expendable, but God is always necessary. We may talk to people and say, “You are so needed around here.” But, the reality is that life can move on without you and me. Yet all too often we get our eyes focused on people and we lose sight of God Himself. What was needed was not simply Elijah. What was needed was God’s power working through and blessing Elijah. And, this is what we all need to remember. We need God. We need God to parent. We need God to be a godly friend. We need God to be a Spirit-filled co-worker. We need God to pursue the things He wants us to pursue. If we do not have God, we have nothing, and what does it matter if we gain the whole world and lose our soul?
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The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:12). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 13:14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 20 The New King James Version. 1982 (Ps 20:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 21 The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:14–15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 7|Page 19
Elisha’s fears was that God has left, but he found that God remains and that God has also fulfilled His Word to him. The mantle fell for Elisha. Elisha received miracle-working power from God and the Word is staying in Israel. God keeps His covenant. But remember, because Elisha sees this glorious display of God’s power, we are now to anticipate even greater things to come from Elisha’s ministry. Remember that Elijah’s ministry was to display to Israel that the LORD is God? Elisha’s ministry brings in a little bit of a different focus. Another era is coming into Israel and Elisha’s ministry is going to fulfill the meaning of His name. As the ESV Study Bible notes, “The new era of salvation belongs to Elisha, whose name means ‘God saves.’” The LORD is going to reveal in even greater ways that as God, He also saves! So, in all of this, what do we see of Jesus? There are a myriad of things that we can see from this text. Signs Pointing to Christ 1. Elijah’s power over the Jordan River signals Jesus’ power over the waters. Just like the LORD revealed His power through Elijah as being more powerful than Baal. So, Jesus reveals in the calming of the storm His power over all things. Even the winds and waves obey Him. The gods of this world are merely worldly. Jesus is God, the Son! 2. Elijah’s ascension points to Jesus’ ascension and second coming. Jesus had walked through the waters of death and then He is with the people for only a little while longer. He has to reassure the disciples that he is going to send a comforter to help them in the remaining years, but they have no idea what is about to take place. Why would Jesus leave? But, Jesus’ promise is that He is going to return. He will never leave them nor forsake them. And, when He returns he will come on the clouds. Unfortunately, when people think of Jesus coming on the clouds, we get this nice picture of some divine being with a heavenly glow coming down in great peace with hands open wide and a halo over his head. But, the biblical portrait of Jesus coming back is the One who is coming back on the storm clouds. Revelation 1:7 says, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”22 3. The anointing of Elisha points to the anointing of Jesus. Both Jesus and Elisha were anointed in the Jordan River. Elisha has a mantle fall from the sky to represent the power from above. Instead of a mantle coming out of Heaven for Jesus, the spirit descends on Him like a dove. 4. Elisha’s ministry and Jesus’ ministry were greater than their predecessors. A fourth point that I want to bring out is that both Elisha’s and Jesus’ ministries were greater than their predecessors. Elisha receives the double portion – revealing that His ministry influence is broader in scope and power. This is the same for John the Baptist and Jesus. John the Baptist said that Jesus must increase and he must decrease. And, Jesus’ power was greater. While flocks of people went out to the desert to see John the Baptist, He confessed that he wasn’t worthy to loose Jesus’ sandals. And, we find that the miracles of Jesus were so numerous that the gospel writer tells us that the books could not contain all of the works of Jesus.
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The New King James Version. 1982 (Re 1:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 8|Page
If we are amazed with the fact that Elisha will receive a double portion, then we must be stunned to find out that Jesus has done more than all of these prophets before Him. But, it is not only the grand miracles that make Elisha and Jesus have a “double portion” type ministry. It is the type of ministry focus that they are called to that seems to also indicate the greater depth of their influence. Elisha speaks that God saves. Isn’t that the explicit message of Jesus as well? I remember in high school trying to think of a response to co-workers who might say that God just wants to condemn them, and then I found John 3:17. I was so familiar with verse 16, but failed to understand the dynamics of 17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” The world is already condemned. John the Baptist’s and Elijah’s ministry calling people to see their sin and need for repentance is necessary – gloriously necessary. But, the world also needs to know that God saves those who repent! 5. Elisha’s “double portion” request points to Jesus as the source of all hope. Finally we see that Elisha’s “double portion” request points to Jesus as the source of all hope. There are those who think that God doesn’t save or they think, “Why bother?” I hope that is not you today. You’ve seen and will continue to see the justice of God displayed in these texts in the books of the kings. I pray that you would not treat God lightly. I pray that you would repent. But, what does that even mean? I pray that you would know and embrace God and find that His power is working to draw you to Himself because He wants to save you from His wrath against you and your sin and He desires that you would know His salvation. But, you may ask how can He save us, and how do we get these ideas from Elisha’s “double portion” request? Well, we go back to the idea of the double portion being given to a firstborn. Elisha’s referred to Elijah as his father when he was blessed. God the Father referred to Jesus as His Son when Jesus was blessed in His public ministry. Elisha received a double portion of Elijah. Jesus doesn’t merely receive a double portion of the spirit of a person. Jesus receives the blessing beyond blessing because Jesus is the Son of God Himself and the Scriptures reveal that He is ruler of all – not just more than anyone else. Therefore, Jesus, as God’s Son, through His death has purchased all we need to be forgiven and granted the hope we need. God truly does save. He’s done everything not by only sending a prophet, but by coming Himself to the earth and dying for sinners. Elisha’s ministry points to an even greater ministry than his. He points to the fact that Jesus saves. Therefore, Jesus is our hope. He is our comfort and we await His return in the clouds.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. 2.
ESV Study Bible (2008). Wheaton, IL: Crossway. Davis, Dale Ralph (2005). 2 Kings: The Power and the Fury. Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, Ltd.
3.
.Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. Dillard, Raymond B (1999). Faith in the Face of Apostasy: The Gospel According to Elijah & Elisha. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing. House, Paul R (1995). The New American Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings. Broadman & Holman Publishers
4. 5.
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See http://www.gty.org/resources/print/sermons/80-303
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Huss, and God brought forth an immense revival in Germany through Luther so now we are going to read about God bringing out a man by the name of Elisha after Elijah. And, Elisha’s ministry is actually quite powerful – containing more power than that of Elijah, but I wonder if we really understand the greatness of Elisha’s ministry. This past week, I posted on my Facebook account a certain question, What is the first phrase (or word) that comes to your mind when you hear the name "Elisha"? (And, I'm not talking about my son. I'm talking about the one in the Bible.) These are some of the responses I received: double portion, saw his mentor go up in a chariot of fire, bald, baldy who called out some bears, obedient, servant, friend to the end. Then I got this response from someone in the church who shall remain nameless: “Our pastor named his kid after him, so there must be something cooler about him than Elijah.” While we laugh at that, I feel it is true. Plus, we need to move into texts on Elisha because I recently called my son Elijah and that needs to stop. But, back to the difference between Elijah and Elisha. I did name my son Elisha because there is something “cooler about him than Elijah.” Now hear me, I never want to negate Elijah’s ministry, but we must see Elijah’s ministry in the overall scope of the Scriptures. Elijah is a forerunner. Elijah’s ministry also points to the greatest forerunner, John the Baptist. But, Elijah’s ministry was intended to decrease so that another man’s ministry could increase. We see this clearly in today’s text and I hope that we are going to walk away with a great appreciation for God’s complete, sovereign control over all events and we are also going to walk away with a greater adoration for the ways we are pointed to Christ! Remember, our desire is to see Jesus clearly so that we might be able to comprehend the Scriptures. As Jesus said, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”2 So, let’s read 2 Kings 2:1-6 together. I find the starting of this chapter very interesting: “And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind. . . .”3 This comes right after Elijah’s ordeal with Ahaziah, and Ahaziah dies. Then, without any suspense whatsoever, we are given a forewarning that Elijah’s leaving. I think that anyone who reads the stories of Elijah would have a sense of sadness. You’ve been rooting for him all along. You’ve read the story of Mount Carmel, the widow of Zarephath, the little boy being brought back to life. You know that Elijah is going to be replaced by Elisha, but maybe you tend to think that it’s not going to come quickly because you do read that Elijah pronounces judgment on Ahab and also Ahaziah. You think, “This is just getting good,” and then the author gives you no suspense at all and simply tells you the end of the story. I’m reminded of a time when Tracy and I were in high school and she was reading a certain book series. While she was reading one of the books, there was another student who had finished before her, and he seemed to want to talk to her about the book, but for whatever reason, he really wanted to spoil everything. So, while Tracy was coming to the last few pages of this book that was a few hundred pages, this so-called friend gave away the ending. You can imagine the feelings rising up in Tracy. And, even now I am upset that someone would be so rude. The question is, “Is this what the author of Kings is doing?” Why would he tell us this scenario up-front? Well, I think there’s at least a three-fold reason. First, the fact that Elijah is leaving is not the end of the story. We need to realize that the focus of 1 and 2 Kings is on God working in the nation of Israel. It is not primarily about people working on His behalf. So, the fact that he is leaving should cause us to anticipate what God is doing 2
The New King James Version. 1982 (Lk 24:44–45). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2|Page 3
next. Second, throughout this story, it seems like “everyone” knows that Elijah’s about to leave. So, we are filled in with this detail, too – seeking to understand what is going to take place. Again, we are left with an anticipation of what is going to happen. Third, I believe God wants us to see His faithfulness not only to the nation of Israel, but also to His servant, Elijah. We see God’s faithfulness clearly through the way in which Elijah is going to be taken and also even in how God calls Elijah to travel through the cities. 1. God is faithful to His servant and His people. First, note again what God says about Elijah’s departure. He is going to be taken up to Heaven in a whirlwind. This is a very odd and unheard of occurrence in anywhere else in the Bible. The only other time we hear of another man ever being taken up and not dying is Enoch. Moses writes this in Genesis, “23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”4 We get four verses on Enoch, and you get the feel that this type of scenario is not common. You’re just left amazed that God did this. And, you walk away realizing, “Wow, Enoch must have been a very godly man to be able to have such a great thing happen to him.” This is the same type of response we ought to have with Elijah. And, this type of response also confirms to the nation of Israel that they ought to continue to heed the words of Elijah – even after his departure. But, let’s look further into the miraculousness of this event. In addition to the fact that there is no other evidence that God has done this for any other human being, you also get the feel of Scripture that the general pattern is that in order to go up to Heaven, you must go down first. The ESV Study Bible puts it this way, “The OT more characteristically speaks of the deceased’s ‘going down’ to Sheol, the world of the dead (e.g., Job 7:9; Isa. 57:9; see note on 1 Sam. 2:6). It was the fate even of mighty heroes of the Hebrew tradition to be ‘gathered to their people’ in this way (e.g., Gen. 25:7–8; 1 Kings 2:10). Elijah represents a remarkable exception to this way of speaking.” Genesis 25:7-8 speaks of Abraham’s death in this way, “8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.”5 1 Kings talks about David’s death by saying, “10 So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David.”6 This is not to say that David and Abraham did not enter into God’s presence after their death. Even Jesus said: ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”7 Jesus says that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were still living. But, none of them have this profound privilege of not dying before they lived in God’s presence. 32
We can’t be completely sure why God chose Enoch and Elijah. But, we can say this about God’s ways with Elijah: “God is faithful to His servant!” The Elijah on the mountain who was discouraged because God’s ways didn’t lead to a national revival is now the Elijah who is being taken up into the arms of His LORD. Elijah has suffered. Elijah has endured. Elijah has remained one who is trusting in His God. And, God has remained faithful to His promises and hence to His servant. What a comforting picture this paints for us. I’m reminded of the passage of Scripture that says that God will do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or even think. Elijah could not begin to fathom all the riches in store for him. But, he was about to. Oh, and Ventura, remember that God is always faithful to you as well. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”8 Romans 8:18 also says, “18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
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The New King James Version. 1982 (Ge 5:23–24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. The New King James Version. 1982 (Ge 25:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 6 The New King James Version. 1982 (1 Ki 2:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 7 The New King James Version. 1982 (Mt 22:32). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 8 The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Co 4:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 3|Page 5
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”9 We most likely will not experience the same type of transport of Elijah, but remember this, all who have trusted in Christ are in the Father’s hands and He grants His children a treasure in the Heavens, and in that place we will have fullness of joy. In your situations of life, you may be experiencing the dark moments of despair or you may be experiencing the mountain-top high, but I simply want to encourage you this morning to continue to put your hope in the Lord, not your experience and know that God is working all things together for good and for His great ends because He has made a promise to His children and He is faithful to His glory and His Word. But, we don’t see God’s faithfulness to Elijah, and even to the nation of Israel, through his departure. We also see it in his travels. Elijah travels from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho to the Jordan River. This can seem unimportant and confusing at first, but when you read further in chapter two, you read Elisha retracing these steps backwards. Therefore, you walk away thinking that there is some importance to it. But, what is the importance? Well, I’m glad you asked! I think we’d all be confused if we don’t understand the travels of Israel into the land with Joshua. This is a retracing of Israel’s footsteps in the land. And, it’s pointing people all the way back to God’s covenant faithfulness. That seems to be made even more clear, by the way, by the fact that Elijah parts the waters of Jordan as well. In all of this, I think that this, too, is an affirmation to the people and to Elijah himself, that God has been working through him and that he is a truly great prophet – on par with Moses. He was and is meant to point the people to the LORD who is God. So, we see that the end of Elijah’s life (his departure) and the means to that end (the travels to the cities) are meant to point people to the fact that God is faithful to His servant and His people. But, now we move on to see more in this story. Remember, there’s a transferal of leadership here. So, we are reintroduced to Elisha. We clearly get to understand Elisha’s heart in this text – a heart for God’s glory. 2. Elisha has a passion for God’s glory. The first story of Elisha is told in 1 Kings 19. Elijah walks by Elisha while he is plowing the field with twelve oxen and Elijah takes his mantle and simply throws it on Elisha. Keep in mind this is after the Elijah’s experience of Mount Carmel and the apparent “fizzling” of his plans. Elijah doesn’t seem too excited about God’s decision there, but he does obey the Lord. In contrast to Elijah, Elisha is quick to understand and obey the call of God on his life. He asks to go back and kiss his parents. In the books of the Kings, we get a clear understanding of what kissing symbolizes. To “kiss” Baal meant to depart from the Lord. For Elisha to say, “Let me kiss my parents,” he is not saying, “Let me go back and just have a little more time with them.” Elisha is saying that he wants to tell them that He is leaving! He wants to obey the Lord not matter what the call on his life may be. Elisha has a zeal for the glory of the Lord. Oh how I pray for all of us as a church, Ventura, that we would have a zeal for the Lord. Consistently I’m praying for us that God would hallow His glory in our hearts, that we’d have no other gods before Him and that we would not covet anything in this world because He is our satisfaction! OH, how I wish that we can say the words of the great missionary of the 19th century, David Livingston, “Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me; lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any tie, save the tie that binds me to Thy service and to Thy heart. My Jesus, my King, my Life and my All, I again consecrate my life to Thee.” Let us be a people who says, “Lordwilling” and really mean it!
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The New King James Version. 1982 (Ro 8:18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 4|Page
Elisha’s passion for God’s glory is revealed even in the midst of all these travels. At each city where they went, Elisha was confronted with the city prophets. The prophets would say, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” 10 Elisha’s response would be, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” Then we would hear Elijah say, ““Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to [Gilgal or Bethel or Jericho].” What is the significance of this type of scenario? First, regarding the prophets, I believe that Elisha does not want the people to speak of Elijah’s departure before it is time. We see clearly that Elisha does not want to think about it. We also see that he wants to follow Elijah wherever he goes because God’s spirit is on Elijah. And, God has been and will continue to use Elijah until he leaves. Therefore, as some people say, “Don’t get ahead of yourself!” Secondly, with regards to Elijah’s statements to Elisha, I think we have more clarity. Some people believe that Elijah is testing Elisha here, and that could be, but I think that is more speculation. There’s nothing in the text that says that Elijah is testing him nor does it indicate that Elijah just wants Elisha to leave him alone (which has been a thought that, for whatever reason, has lurked in my mind before). Personally, I think it reveals that there is something in Elisha’s heart that he wants. Elisha knows that Elijah is leaving. He wants to ask for something and he doesn’t know how to say it. Now, before you say, “Wait a second, Pastor Timothy, aren’t you being speculative here?” Maybe, but I think I have warrant from the text. Look at verse 9, “And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”11 It seems like Elijah is finally going to give Elisha a chance to ask that nagging question that has been on his mind from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho to the Jordan River. Finally, Elijah gives Elisha to speak. And, you notice how seemingly quickly Elisha gives a response. Elisha wants a double portion. “Elisha said, ‘Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.’”12 This is a huge request. What was Elisha really asking for? Deuteronomy 21:17 talks about giving a double portion of the father’s estate to a firstborn son. One commentator writes, “Elisha is asking that he be granted special privileges as his master’s successor, possibly as the leader of a community of prophets.”13 Some may call this arrogance for Elisha to ask such a thing. But, I believe that Elisha has a greater awareness of what he is getting into. Listen, if I lived during Elijah’s day, I don’t know if I’d look up to him. Much of Israel didn’t like or listen to Elijah. From a worldly perspective, Elijah was a failure. Even with a huge display of fire on an alter, Elijah couldn’t maintain a following. People still went back to Baal. I’ve mentioned this before, but I think it’s helpful to reiterate. Elijah showed up, disappeared for three years. Came back with a great display on Mount Carmel, was hated and then was told by God that his ministry was going to end. Why would Elisha want to follow this man? It is purely by the grace of God that Elisha’s eyes were opened! He wants God and God’s glory. He wants to follow in Elijah’s footsteps not merely because Elijah was a great man of faith, but because Elijah’s God is great! He wants more of God. He understands the psalmist who says, “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”14 Elisha recognizes God as his portion and he wants more of God. He wants to know him to greater degrees and be entrusted with God’s Word to proclaim in greater ways.
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The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 12 The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 13 House, P. R. (1995). Vol. 8: 1, 2 Kings. The New American Commentary (258). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. [quoting G.H. Jones, 1 and 2 Kings, NCB (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984) 2:385.] 14 The New King James Version. 1982 (Ps 73:26). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 5|Page 11
This is a beautiful prayer and it is something that I think many people may take for granted. Some may say, “Oh, isn’t that nice. He wants more of God.” But, this really is a miraculous request! This meant, more knowledge of God and more miracles for the nation of Israel. And, it would take the power of God to grant it. That is why Elijah says, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”15 If Elisha would have said, “Can I have your staff before you go as a little memento,” then Elijah could have easily given it. But, Elijah can’t grant something that isn’t his to grant. He can only go to God for those types of requests. So, Elijah says that if Elisha sees him go up into Heaven, he will have it. This is a kind of “If the Lord wills for you to see me, then you will have the double portion.” This conversation should bring along with it some tension. Elijah is talking about his departure, the prophets have been talking about his departure. What happened the last time Elijah simply departed to another country? The Word of the Lord went with him. Elisha does not want that to happen, but Elijah cannot make the promise that the Word of the Lord will remain strong in the land. He cannot presume on God’s kindness and say that the next generation is going to experience great, or even greater, miracles. Will God work as He did before? We will see that, but let’s take a step back for a moment because I want to move to another point that is made clearly in this text as well. 3. The Lord is God. Elijah’s name means “the Lord is my God.” It is no wonder that the pinnacle of Elijah’s ministry experience is when all the nation of Israel confesses, “The LORD, he is God.” Elijah’s ministry was to proclaim that the LORD, he is God. Even though Elijah might think he failed in communicating that, the people got the message. The Mount Carmel story is still being told today. Even at the writing of 1 Kings, it had been many, many years. The story had been remembered. But, it is not only at Mount Carmel or in Zarephath that we see that the LORD is God and possesses power over the perceived gods in the world. Even at the end of Elijah’s life, we find that the LORD continually possesses power! We see this first in the crossing of the Jordan River. Again, this reminds us of the Israelites crossing the waters on dry land. But, in this story, I think there are connotations that must not be forgotten. Remember that Baal was considered the god of the storm – which blessed the land. The Lord has already proven that Baal has no power over Him in that arena. Now, in Elijah’s departure, the Lord reveals that He’s more powerful than Baal again. Baal’s archenemy, Yam, was the god of the sea and rivers who desired to make Baal subservient to him and had failed in causing Baal to submit. Therefore, Baal had power over the rivers and sea. Yet, here we find that Baal has no power over it. The LORD does. So, we’ve seen in previous stories that Baal, Mot, and Yam have all been thwarted by the LORD because they are all mere idols. There is one God, the LORD. He is a faithful God and He is to be submitted to! And, if we entrust ourselves to Him, He will ensure that we are cared for all the way to the end – just like Elijah is cared for. But, it is not only through the parting of the water that we see that the LORD is God, but we also see it this truth through Elijah’s departure itself. Note that Elijah is not taken up by the horses and chariot of fire. It’s the wind that takes him up. Again, this relates back to Baal. Baal was referred to as the “Rider of the Clouds.” But the Lord counters that claim and says that is His right. Deuteronomy 33:26 says, “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds.”16 Ps 68:4 says, “Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him.”17 15
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The LORD is taking Elijah up to heaven through His own power – a power that Baal possesses none of. But, what’s the point of the chariot and the horses of fire? The text says that they were used to separate Elisha from Elijah. So, why does Elisha say, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”18 Some people interpret that to mean, “Elijah, look, there’s a chariot and horsemen!” But, that would be stating the obvious wouldn’t it? Elijah gets sucked up into this heavenly windstorm and Elisha says, “Hey, look, fiery horses and a fiery chariot!” Two things help us to understand this phrase. First is the language seems to indicate that Elisha is describing Elijah himself. Elijah is his “father.” In other words, Elijah is Elisha’s mentor from whom he has been blessed. Then the following phrase seems to be descriptive. Not only is Elijah his father, but Elijah is the chariot of Israel and its horsemen. Before you think I’m going too far in saying that, I think we gain a better understanding of this phrase when we read of Elisha’s death. Second Kings 13:14 writes that the king of Israel says to him, “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!”19 What this means is that the prophets were viewed as the strength and protection for Israel. This was legitimately the case because it was through the prophets that the LORD worked. God’s power was in them and He enabled the prophets to speak much on military issues. Therefore, you read the psalmist saying, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”20 It is not that Israel didn’t use chariots and horses, but David is saying that his ultimate trust comes in the LORD – not a chariot or horse. So, Elisha’s cry is basically saying that Israel’s protection is leaving! Elisha is sad. It seems all through this chapter, Elisha has been sad at the prospect of losing Elijah. And, now the moment has come. He yells out, “Father, Father, our protection and hope is gone!” This is a cry from a sincere and loving follower of God and Elijah. And, I think many of us can relate to Elisha as well. There are times when it seems like things are working against us and we think that God has taken away all our protection and hope is gone only to later find out that God was actually working things out for greater good. Elisha doesn’t see this yet. But, he notices the mantle that has fallen. He picks it up and then begins to retrace Elijah’s footsteps. There are the prophets of the LORD from Jericho on the other side who have stayed there and are watching, and then Elisha says, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. 15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him.21 Did God leave Elisha simply because Elijah is gone? No. God stayed. As I think of this I am reminded of a critical truth. God’s people are always expendable, but God is always necessary. We may talk to people and say, “You are so needed around here.” But, the reality is that life can move on without you and me. Yet all too often we get our eyes focused on people and we lose sight of God Himself. What was needed was not simply Elijah. What was needed was God’s power working through and blessing Elijah. And, this is what we all need to remember. We need God. We need God to parent. We need God to be a godly friend. We need God to be a Spirit-filled co-worker. We need God to pursue the things He wants us to pursue. If we do not have God, we have nothing, and what does it matter if we gain the whole world and lose our soul?
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The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:12). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 13:14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 20 The New King James Version. 1982 (Ps 20:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 21 The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Ki 2:14–15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 7|Page 19
Elisha’s fears was that God has left, but he found that God remains and that God has also fulfilled His Word to him. The mantle fell for Elisha. Elisha received miracle-working power from God and the Word is staying in Israel. God keeps His covenant. But remember, because Elisha sees this glorious display of God’s power, we are now to anticipate even greater things to come from Elisha’s ministry. Remember that Elijah’s ministry was to display to Israel that the LORD is God? Elisha’s ministry brings in a little bit of a different focus. Another era is coming into Israel and Elisha’s ministry is going to fulfill the meaning of His name. As the ESV Study Bible notes, “The new era of salvation belongs to Elisha, whose name means ‘God saves.’” The LORD is going to reveal in even greater ways that as God, He also saves! So, in all of this, what do we see of Jesus? There are a myriad of things that we can see from this text. Signs Pointing to Christ 1. Elijah’s power over the Jordan River signals Jesus’ power over the waters. Just like the LORD revealed His power through Elijah as being more powerful than Baal. So, Jesus reveals in the calming of the storm His power over all things. Even the winds and waves obey Him. The gods of this world are merely worldly. Jesus is God, the Son! 2. Elijah’s ascension points to Jesus’ ascension and second coming. Jesus had walked through the waters of death and then He is with the people for only a little while longer. He has to reassure the disciples that he is going to send a comforter to help them in the remaining years, but they have no idea what is about to take place. Why would Jesus leave? But, Jesus’ promise is that He is going to return. He will never leave them nor forsake them. And, when He returns he will come on the clouds. Unfortunately, when people think of Jesus coming on the clouds, we get this nice picture of some divine being with a heavenly glow coming down in great peace with hands open wide and a halo over his head. But, the biblical portrait of Jesus coming back is the One who is coming back on the storm clouds. Revelation 1:7 says, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”22 3. The anointing of Elisha points to the anointing of Jesus. Both Jesus and Elisha were anointed in the Jordan River. Elisha has a mantle fall from the sky to represent the power from above. Instead of a mantle coming out of Heaven for Jesus, the spirit descends on Him like a dove. 4. Elisha’s ministry and Jesus’ ministry were greater than their predecessors. A fourth point that I want to bring out is that both Elisha’s and Jesus’ ministries were greater than their predecessors. Elisha receives the double portion – revealing that His ministry influence is broader in scope and power. This is the same for John the Baptist and Jesus. John the Baptist said that Jesus must increase and he must decrease. And, Jesus’ power was greater. While flocks of people went out to the desert to see John the Baptist, He confessed that he wasn’t worthy to loose Jesus’ sandals. And, we find that the miracles of Jesus were so numerous that the gospel writer tells us that the books could not contain all of the works of Jesus.
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The New King James Version. 1982 (Re 1:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 8|Page
If we are amazed with the fact that Elisha will receive a double portion, then we must be stunned to find out that Jesus has done more than all of these prophets before Him. But, it is not only the grand miracles that make Elisha and Jesus have a “double portion” type ministry. It is the type of ministry focus that they are called to that seems to also indicate the greater depth of their influence. Elisha speaks that God saves. Isn’t that the explicit message of Jesus as well? I remember in high school trying to think of a response to co-workers who might say that God just wants to condemn them, and then I found John 3:17. I was so familiar with verse 16, but failed to understand the dynamics of 17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” The world is already condemned. John the Baptist’s and Elijah’s ministry calling people to see their sin and need for repentance is necessary – gloriously necessary. But, the world also needs to know that God saves those who repent! 5. Elisha’s “double portion” request points to Jesus as the source of all hope. Finally we see that Elisha’s “double portion” request points to Jesus as the source of all hope. There are those who think that God doesn’t save or they think, “Why bother?” I hope that is not you today. You’ve seen and will continue to see the justice of God displayed in these texts in the books of the kings. I pray that you would not treat God lightly. I pray that you would repent. But, what does that even mean? I pray that you would know and embrace God and find that His power is working to draw you to Himself because He wants to save you from His wrath against you and your sin and He desires that you would know His salvation. But, you may ask how can He save us, and how do we get these ideas from Elisha’s “double portion” request? Well, we go back to the idea of the double portion being given to a firstborn. Elisha’s referred to Elijah as his father when he was blessed. God the Father referred to Jesus as His Son when Jesus was blessed in His public ministry. Elisha received a double portion of Elijah. Jesus doesn’t merely receive a double portion of the spirit of a person. Jesus receives the blessing beyond blessing because Jesus is the Son of God Himself and the Scriptures reveal that He is ruler of all – not just more than anyone else. Therefore, Jesus, as God’s Son, through His death has purchased all we need to be forgiven and granted the hope we need. God truly does save. He’s done everything not by only sending a prophet, but by coming Himself to the earth and dying for sinners. Elisha’s ministry points to an even greater ministry than his. He points to the fact that Jesus saves. Therefore, Jesus is our hope. He is our comfort and we await His return in the clouds.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. 2.
ESV Study Bible (2008). Wheaton, IL: Crossway. Davis, Dale Ralph (2005). 2 Kings: The Power and the Fury. Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, Ltd.
3.
.Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. Dillard, Raymond B (1999). Faith in the Face of Apostasy: The Gospel According to Elijah & Elisha. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing. House, Paul R (1995). The New American Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings. Broadman & Holman Publishers
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