Read: 2
Kings 2
The death of Ahaziah and subsequent crowning of
Joram sets the context for 2 Kings 2. In this time, people clung to political
power until death, at which point the next of kin typically became king. In
contrast, 2 Kings 2 provides us with a picture of how God transfers authority
in His kingdom. It was God who named Elijah’s successor, not genetics (1 Kings
19). Elijah did not cling desperately to his role. In fact, he immediately
began training Elisha to take over his ministry. During this training Elijah and
Elisha developed a close relationship. It is likely that they spent many hours
ministering to people and seeking the Lord together. Now, Elijah is about to be
taken into heaven. Three times he insists on Elisha staying back. Ever faithful
to his friend and leader, Elisha insists on following Elijah until the end.
Further, Elisha’s fellow prophets twice confirm that Elisha knew Elijah is
about to be taken away. Elisha’s response is heartbreaking: “Yes, I know, but
do not speak of it” (v 3, 5 NIV). It is in these tender moments that we are
reminded that Elisha was a human with emotions, reactions and opinions, just as
we are. His repeated affirmation of loyalty shows that Elisha knew the cost of
following Elijah (in this situation, the pain of losing a friend) and decided
it was nothing compared to the goodness of loyalty.
Elijah and Elisha miraculously cross the Jordan
River (v 7-9). Then Elijah asks if there is anything more he can do for his
protégé. Elisha requests a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. This reflects the
Israelite law that granted the firstborn son a double portion of his father’s
inheritance (Deut 21:17). Elisha viewed Elijah as his spiritual father. He
respected, served, and loved Elijah as a son would a father. Now he knew that
it was time to take Elijah’s place, just as a son takes the place of his
father. And just as a son mourns his father, now Elisha mourns Elijah (v 12).
The rest of 2 Kings 2 consists of three miracles
God works through Elisha, which confirm the transfer of prophetic authority.
First, Elisha parts the waters of the Jordan, just as Elijah had previously (v
8, 14). Watching this, the company of prophets agrees that, “The spirit of
Elijah is resting on Elisha” (v 15 NIV). The company of prophets insists on
searching for Elijah. Elisha knows this search is futile, but he relents,
ashamed that he would be seen as disrespectful of his master. The second
miracle happens as God works through Elisha to heal the waters of Jericho. The
city would be an ideal settlement if the water were not polluted. Elisha asks for
a new bowl, one free of ceremonial impurity. He fills it with salt, a common
element in biblical sacrifices (Lev 2:13, Ezek 43:24, Matt 5:13, Col 4:6). With
this salt, Elisha purifies the water.
The final miraculous work we witness has a less
positive tone. Youths ridicule Elisha as he is travelling. Their insult “baldhead”
does not refer directly to Elisha’s physical appearance. Rather, it is a
reference to the custom of travellers to cover their heads and a jeering remark
about association with Elijah. The youths were mocking the prophetic office
more than they were mocking Elisha. One of the costs associated with following
God is not caring about one’s reputation. We must care more about what God
thinks of us than about what other people think of us. However, when the world
has a negative opinion of God because of their negative opinion of us, God is
not pleased. As seen in 2 Kings 1, it is a serious offense to God to ridicule
His prophets. God’s holiness demands reverence. Thus, Elisha calls a curse upon
these youths. Two bears appear out of the woods and maul forty-two of the
mockers (v 24).
Prayer and
Journaling
1. Elisha treated Elijah as a spiritual father.
Think of how God commands parents, children, and siblings to treat each other.
Who are “spiritual family members” in your life (these may or may not include
your physical family members)? Ask God to show you how He wants you to relate
to these people.
2. Elisha knew that a cost associated with being a
prophet was not caring about his reputation in man’s eyes. Do you care more
about what people think of you or what God thinks of you? Talk to Jesus about this, asking Him to
reveal truth to you.
3. The early church often referred to one another
as brother, sister, father, mother, son and daughter. Pray that the Church
today would grow in unity to become a family. Pray that believers across
denominational lines would grow in loyalty and sacrifice for one another. Pray
that mature believers would readily disciple younger believers and that younger
believers would hunger for the wisdom of their more mature counterparts.
