“And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.” 2 Kings 2:1
God does nothing unless He has a purpose in it. So, why is it that we have this narrative of Elijah and Elisha who are walking together from place to place, being directed by God to do so, and then, Elijah being whisked up to heaven in a chariot of fire, with Elisha being left behind? Perhaps the answer lies in the places where they went just prior to Elijah’s departure.
The first place mentioned, from which they came, was Gilgal. You will remember that Gilgal was the first stop that the people of Israel made, after they had crossed the Jordan river, upon entering the promised land. It was there that they camped, not far from Jericho. It would be there that two things would occur, the first being that God would instruct Joshua to circumcise the children of Israel again. Why? First of all because a great number of the men, who had been in the desert for forty years, had been born there and were not circumcised. Secondly, and perhaps, most importantly, circumcision was an act of faith, a demonstration of one’s belonging to God. It was a sign of a covenant entered into between God and the believer, specifically the Jew. To refuse circumcision was to refuse a means that God put in place to declare one’s faith, and consecration to God. This was necessary at this point in the history of Israel, on Canaan’s side of the Jordan. The call of God that the men should be circumcised, was a call also to the entire congregation of the children of Israel. There was another important meaning of this act of sanctification to God, and it was the declared rolling away of the reporach of Egypt. (Joshau 5:9) At Gilgal, that day, God took all that was of Egypt, and every aspect of every act and attitude of godlessness, and removed it from the people of Israel. He set them completely free from the “reproach” that was associated with Egypt. They were now free to look forward, to God alone, and for all.
From Gilgal, Elijah would tell Elisha that the Lord had sent him to Bethel. Why? What is the signifcance of this, and why is this important to Elijah? At Bethel God had revealed Himself to Jacob. It was there that God promised several things. “…The land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.” (Gen. 28:13) This was a most remarkable promise. But then, God went further to tell him: “And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth…” He also would add, “…and in thy seed shall ALL the families of the earth be blessed.” In essence, the destiny of the world was declared to Jacob there at Bethel, for eventually the Messiah would come as the Savior of mankind, specifically to those who would truly believe in Him.
From Bethel, God would tell Elijah to go to Jericho. Again, Why? Jericho was the “gate” to the conquest of Canaan. It was that point of entrance which God alone could open, and He would. It would be by the coming and manifestation of the Captain of the host of the Lord, that all would become possible. Victory in Canaan, and the possession of the promised land, were assured because of the intervention of this Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lastly, God called Elijah to go to the Jordan, where he rolled up his mantle, struck the water, and walked across with Elisha on dry ground. Why Jordan? The Jordan was the second where God would miraculously bring His people by a way they knew not, in a manner that was only possible to God. In the dry bed of Jordan, not only Elijah and Elisha would pass, but hundreds of years before, a multitude had passed there.
Elijah’s journey was one of remembrance. Elisha’s journey was a panorama of encouragement to faith.
Dear Father, Strengthen us in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.