First Class Flight

Firebug

As we move on in our winding down series, we are going to look at Elijah and Elisha.

Elijah’s life is punctuated by so many amazing acts of God.

Prophesying a drought and being fed by ravens

The widow that fed him from a cruze of oil and a bit of flower.

Raising that same widdows son

Fire from Heaven burning up the sacrifice

Racing the King down the hill

HIding from Jezzabell

The conversation with God and that still small voice.

The strange way he took on Elisha as an apprentice

The final big deal pophetic act to a king that was not just far from God but actively seeking other God’s counsel. More fire… my favorite part of this part of Elija’s story is well this verse.

2 Kings 1:13–14 HCSB

Then the king sent a third captain of 50 with his 50 men. The third captain of 50 went up and fell on his knees in front of Elijah and begged him, “Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these 50 servants of yours be precious in your sight. Already fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of 50 with their fifties, but this time let my life be precious in your sight.”

it was after this that Elijah delivered the last prophesy to Ahaziah....telling him…that asking another God for help meant that he was not going to get up off his sick bed but he was going to die..and sure enogh that’s what happened.

It’s after this that we come to the end of Elijah’s life on earth, and the beginning of Elisha’s Ministry proper.

One Last Walk

Elijah and Elisha knew what was coming. We need to understand that everything has an end, not only did the two prophets know but it appears as we read the account that each of the prophetic schools they visited knew as well

2 Kings 2:1–3 HCSB

The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

What is even more important is the acceptance of both men that this was happening. There was no big pleading of please please please..(Dread Pirate Roberts) There is a simple acceptance that this is what is going to happen. But whats even more amazing is that Elijah is going about his business here. He is visiting other prophets as he was winding down his journey…There is a lesson there for us you know. We never retire from following Christ.

The hard way

2 Kings 2:4 HCSB

Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; the Lord is sending me to Jericho.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.

2 Kings 2:6 HCSB

Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me to the Jordan.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.

The easy way is not always the way.

Far from being commands that are being ignored Elijah is testing Elisha a bit. He is giving him an opportunity a chance to do the easier thing. NOt the wrong thing, not even a bad thing but it would be easier. Sometimes in our lives we are faced with choices, choices where the right thing to do is clear there really is not a wrong thing to do. We are permitted to make choices in our lives, choices that while not what God wan’ts for us are not going to resualt in judgment. But they will resault in missed opportunity to be in the fullness of what our relationship with God is supposed to look like.

Is that your final answer?

2 Kings 2:8–9 HCSB

Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and left. Then the two of them crossed over on dry ground. After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you.” So Elisha answered, “Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit.”

Having stayed the course Elisha and Elijah were coming to the end of the Journey. Elijahs time had wound down, and while he did not know when it was going to happen exaclty he knew that things were finishing and so he asked this question. and Elisha gives the perfect answer. Far from being asked in a selfish way. Elisha knew the work that they were to be doing and so wanted to be equipped to do it, he wanted to be able to carry on the work that was so important to the children of Israel. Elisha didn’t ask for stuff, for material blessings, he asked for a spiritual blessing that would enable him to serve, and Elijah knew that was not his to give.

The Final Test

2 Kings 2:10–15 HCSB

Elijah replied, “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me being taken from you, you will have it. If not, you won’t.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind. As Elisha watched, he kept crying out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” Then he never saw Elijah again. He took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. Elisha picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle Elijah had dropped and struck the waters. “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” he asked. He struck the waters himself, and they parted to the right and the left, and Elisha crossed over. When the sons of the prophets from Jericho who were facing him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him and bowed down to the ground in front of him.

As Elijah’s time and ministry was winding down, Elishas was just beginning in earnest.

Elisah watched his mentor and friend be taken away and even though he knew it was coming he was still sad but he didn’t wallow in that sadness. He picked up the cloak that had fallen and began to go back they way they had come, back to the task at hand back to the ministry and calling he was to fulfill.

When Elisha struck the water and it parted it was not people could see that God was going to speak through Elisha as he had through Elijah. The ministry that was begun was going to continue.

This Week’s Challenge

Bring someone to church!