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2 Kings 2:1–2, 6–14
Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah 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. Then 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. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then 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.
When 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.” He 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.” As 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. Elisha 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.
He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.
‘Text Message’ Reflection:
From Pastor Holly Johnson
In this story from some of the earliest writings in the Bible 2 Kings, we see the prophet Elijah and his protégé, Elisha making a final journey at the end of Elijah’s life.
Elisha was called to be his assistant, but in this story, we’ll see a new call: The call to take Elijah’s place. Elijah knows his story is coming to an end, and he encourages Elisha to stay behind. Everyone in the “school of prophets” knows this too, and also tells Elisha to stay. Elijah follows his call to stay with him through the end.
He stays with him through the dramatic end–this story of Elijah who does not die, but is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire; a sign of his close connection to God.
In this dramatic event, Elisha is pointing out the chariot; saying the prophet version of “Wow, they sent the limo for you.” He also calls him father. And the faith and the “family” business is passed down in this story of these two prophets.
‘Text Message’ Reflection Questions:
- There are many call stories in the Bible; many more in our lives. This one, showing Elijah’s dramatic call home and Elisha’s new call as Prophet of Israel.
- Elisha is not Elijah’s son, but they come to understand their relationship that way; how can this story help expand our understanding of family, and how faith gets passed down through the generations?
- Can you hear echoes of other biblical stories in this story of Elijah and Elisha?
Prayer:
God, you send us teachers and leaders in all kinds of ways, and you call us to do your work in a myriad of ways. Give us insight to know when to follow, and when to lead; when to take up our own mantle, ask for what we need, and become what we are called to be. Amen.