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The Taking of Elijah
Whatever one can say about Elijah, he certainly had an interesting and dramatic time of it (though, no doubt, he’s having more fun now). Second Kings 1 tells a fascinating story that leads into an even more fascinating one in the next chapter. If it could be said that anyone, to use the cliché, “went out in a blaze of glory,” it was Elisha.
Read 2 Kings 2:1–18 and answer the following questions:.
1. What reasons might Elisha have had for refusing to separate from Elijah, despite the master’s three requests that he do just that?
2. Why did Elisha tear his clothes here? Was it for mourning, or something else? If so, what?
No doubt Elisha’s response was one of extreme excitement and gratefulness. Yes, he did see the chariot and the horses. Yes, he would have a double portion of Elijah’s power. Although generally the tearing of clothes meant mourning, this time Elisha may have been so overwhelmed that he tore his clothes in gratitude. He had in his hands Elijah’s cloak. His tearing of his clothes also could have been symbolic of his getting rid of his own and putting on Elijah’s.
When Elijah first put his mantle on farmer Elisha, both men knew that this act symbolized a calling to work for God (though Elisha must have given it back to Elijah at some point). Elisha now had this special garment in his own possession, signifying that he must carry on the responsibilities of leadership as Elijah had done.
Look, too, at Elisha’s request of his mentor (what request does this remind you of?). Elisha’s words reveal something of his character, showing that he was a worthy successor to wear the mantle of the great prophet who was about “to be taken” from this world.
What broader picture of existence does this story present to us? That is, how often do we tend to hold a narrow materialistic view of the world, forgetting the ever-present reality of the supernatural realm, which also exists in this world and which interacts with us?
| WEDNESDAY | May 4 |
Whatever one can say about Elijah, he certainly had an interesting and dramatic time of it (though, no doubt, he’s having more fun now). Second Kings 1 tells a fascinating story that leads into an even more fascinating one in the next chapter. If it could be said that anyone, to use the cliché, “went out in a blaze of glory,” it was Elisha.
Read 2 Kings 2:1–18 and answer the following questions:.
1. What reasons might Elisha have had for refusing to separate from Elijah, despite the master’s three requests that he do just that?
2. Why did Elisha tear his clothes here? Was it for mourning, or something else? If so, what?
No doubt Elisha’s response was one of extreme excitement and gratefulness. Yes, he did see the chariot and the horses. Yes, he would have a double portion of Elijah’s power. Although generally the tearing of clothes meant mourning, this time Elisha may have been so overwhelmed that he tore his clothes in gratitude. He had in his hands Elijah’s cloak. His tearing of his clothes also could have been symbolic of his getting rid of his own and putting on Elijah’s.
When Elijah first put his mantle on farmer Elisha, both men knew that this act symbolized a calling to work for God (though Elisha must have given it back to Elijah at some point). Elisha now had this special garment in his own possession, signifying that he must carry on the responsibilities of leadership as Elijah had done.
Look, too, at Elisha’s request of his mentor (what request does this remind you of?). Elisha’s words reveal something of his character, showing that he was a worthy successor to wear the mantle of the great prophet who was about “to be taken” from this world.
What broader picture of existence does this story present to us? That is, how often do we tend to hold a narrow materialistic view of the world, forgetting the ever-present reality of the supernatural realm, which also exists in this world and which interacts with us?
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