“And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head today? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold your peace.” 2 Kings 2:3
Here in the book of Second Kings we find one of the momentous “days” mentioned in Scripture. Certainly, it was like no other for the prophet Elijah, nor either for his successor, Elisha. We do not know how that day began except that in the mind and heart of God, the time had come for Him to take Elijah to heaven, “…by a whirlwind.” (2 Kings 2:1) Elijah, in company with Elisha, followed the Lord’s command for him to go to Bethel. Scripture does not tell us why, but we see from him going that the sons of the prophets address Elisha by telling him that God was going to take Elijah to heaven that very day, and that Elijah would no longer be the authority in Elisha’s life. What is very unusual is that Elisha knew it already, the Holy Spirit having revealed it to him. But why do these sons of the prophet declare this to Elisha who knew it already? Certainly, God was speaking to Elisha concerning the brevity of the hour, and the necessity of receiving from God all that was needed so that he could be the prophet in Israel in the place of Elijah.
After going to Bethel, God led Elijah to go to Jericho, where the sons of the prophets there said the same thing to Elisha. Why? Again, it was to emphasize the coming moment, the impending event, which would change everything, for Elisha would see Elijah no more. What was going on in the mind of Elisha, as that moment was approaching? Certainly there was that consciousness of personal need in the face of such a separation, when the authority and power of Elijah would need to be received, and known. How was it to become reality for him, and where was the faith to truly lay hold upon God for it? The pressure is mounting because the moment is approaching.
After Jericho, Elijah and Elisha go to the Jordan River, where Elijah takes his mantle, or cloak, and strikes the waters of the Jordan. The waters then separate permitting Elijah and Elisha to pass over on dry land, very much like the Israelites of old when they came out of Egypt. It is then that Elijah asks Elisha what he could do for him before he was taken away. With no hesitancy, and full assurance that it was the right thing to ask, he responded: “…let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” (v.9) Herein lies the key to the life and ministry of Elisha, a double measure of the Spirit of God, filling, leading, and keeping him. This answer to his prayer was received when he beheld the glory of God, revealed in the taking away of Elijah into heaven. Faith was quickened by the sight, and a boldness was received by Elisha, for he had believed the words of Elijah, and obeyed them. Soon after, with fifty of the sons of the prophets looking on from a distance, they beheld Elisha pick up the mantle that had fallen from Elijah. He approached the waters of Jordan, as he had with Elijah, but this time there was no Elijah present, only him, God, the mantle, and the sons of the prophets looking on. He took the mantle, then struck the waters of the Jordan, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” (v.14) It was at that moment that, as was the case for Elijah, the waters parted, and Elisha went over. It was then also that the fifty sons of the prophets saw, believed, and declared, “…the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.” (v.15) God had answered Elisha’s singular prayer which had been concisely expressed, born out of the conviction of his own personal need, but founded in the God of the impossible.
Dear Father, Make us know Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.