Read 2 Kings 2.
All the prophets in Judah Judah Bethel
to Jericho to the Jordan
River . Crossing the river
proved to be no problem. Elijah just
rolled up his outer garment and struck the water. The two of them walked across on dry
ground. This is the second time this
miracle occurred. The first took place
in Joshua 3. Fifty other prophets of
God, watching from a distance, witnessed the miracle.
As the mentor prepared to leave, he asked Elisha, "What
shall I do for you"? Elisha wanted
a double portion of Elijah's spirit.
Under the Old Testament law, the firstborn could receive a double
portion of the inheritance. But Elisha
did not ask for an inheritance of an estate.
He wanted to continue the ministry of Elisha with a double portion of
God's power upon him.
Elijah is one of two men in the Bible who do not have a
recorded death. In Genesis 5:24, Enoch
"walked with God and was not for God took him". Many would also include Moses. However, there are several verses in the
Bible that use the word dead or death concerning him.
The confirmation of God's power upon Elisha was not only in
witnessing Elijah’s ascension into heaven, but in the actions that
followed. It was not personal power but
dependence upon the power of God indicating his spiritual leadership to
everyone around him. Those same fifty
prophets watched as Elisha also parted the Jordan River. This marked the third
time for this same miracle.
Whenever God is visibly at work, expect the Evil One to also
try to counter it or destroy it. The
test came almost immediately. Young men,
not children, treated Elisha with contempt.
This must be interpreted as verbal abuse, making fun of his appearance,
but, even more, slandering the work of God and Elisha as a servant of God.
Elisha's question in verse 14 is one for us today. "Where is the LORD, the God of
Elijah?" This was not asking for
God's location. No. He anticipated God's intervention!
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