Elijah Delivered

The coronation of an earthly monarch usually takes place early in life and begins his reign. For the believer our coronation day takes place at death when we are raised to the place of glory. This is the case with Elijah who would never have been mistaken for a king during his earthly life. Yet, when his task on earth was over, God elevated him to His throne in Heaven by a supernatural exit from this world.

We do not know exactly how Elijah spent his last days, but he probably gave much of his time to teaching “the sons of the prophets”. These were groups of young men who had begun to use their prophetic gift under the guidance of a more experienced “man of God.” An early form of seminary. ELijah was spending hislast years training others to carry on the work

It was while he was engaged in this last great work of his life that God called him home. 2 Kings 2:1-2:14 A reporter named Karen Jordan who recently walked along the main street of a College University and asked a most profound question of those who were passing by: “If today were your last day on earth, how would you spend it?” She reported the following answers: Tony said, “I would get drunk, do as much dope as I can, and be with two pretty women. That’s my dream.” Chris responded, “I would spend it in the desert or a very peaceful place. I would just try to enjoy every moment and get connected to God and nature.” Vera, an older woman, said, “I would phone my family and visit my friends.” Lou Ann said, “I would ride around in my new, old convertible. I just bought a 1968 250 SL.” And finally Jacqueline said, “I would spend my last day with Gene.” Well, what about you. How would you spend your last day on earth? What would be your priority? Your main mission?

THE TEST  It seems that God had revealed to Elijah that his day had arrived. While he was with his successor Elisha at Gilgal, Elijah asked him to remain behind while he departed. Elisha refused. When the pair made their next stop at Bethel, the sons of the prophets joined in by stating that to follow Elijah was fruitless because the Lord was taking him that day. But Elisha remained firm in his resolve to accompany his mentor. Finally, they arrived at Jericho, near the banks of the Jordan River. There, another group of apprentice prophets repeated the discouraging refrain. Elijah also again urged Elisha to remain on this side of the river while he departed. But the spiritually determined Elisha was not to be deterred. Elisha was permitted to see the event.  That mantle was the symbol of Elijah’s office. Elijah was not trying to get rid of Elisha as much as he was putting his close companion, his successor-in-the-making, to the test. But Elisha was relentless. He stayed by the old prophet’s side.

THE REQUEST Elijah offered to Elisha anything that his heart desired! He could do this because he knew that his young successor would not abuse such a privilege. The request for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit may appear confusing, but understanding the usage of this Old Testament phrase will help us to understand its meaning here. The law declared that the firstborn son had the right to inherit a “double portion” of his father’s estate. Elisha did not ask for something better than what which his master enjoyed, but for a portion “double” that which was communicated to the other prophets. Elisha looked upon himself as the firstborn son of Elijah in relation to the other “sons of the prophets.” Elijah acknowledged the hardness of his request, but promised the answer if Elisha never removed his eyes from him until he was gone.

The big moment finally arrived. Elijah’s power came from 2 Cor 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. Elisha learned this. That is why he could see the chariot. Just because we cannot see them does not mean they are not there. They are everywhere. Faith is how we tap into it. This would not be the last time that Elisha would experience such a visitation from a heavenly entourage. In 2 Kings 6:17, the Lord opened the eyes of Elisha’s fearful servant so he could see the “horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

THE GIFT Elijah was gone, but his mantle fell to the ground to be worn now by another prophet of God. Elijah is gone, God is not. (2:14–15). Elijah’s last miracle was Elisha’s first miracle. He had learned well. His cry, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” reminds us that even though Elijah was missing, Elijah’s God was still present and active in the continuing ministry of his successor. Elisha commenced a ministry that was destined to bring help to the needy (2 Ki. 4:1–7); joy to the bereaved (2 Ki. 4:18–37); health to the sick (2 Ki. 5:1–14); judgment to the wicked (2 Ki. 6:8–23); and life to the dead (2 Ki. 13:20–21). Although to compare Elijah and Elisha would be unfair to both, it is interesting that Elisha’s ministry lasted about twice as long as Elijah’s and that he apparently performed twice as many miracles as his illustrious mentor. This is further evidence of the “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit resting on his successor.

Elijah, however, was privileged to have a part in two events which Elisha and no other prophet ever experienced. First, Elijah passed through the portals of Heaven without dying. Enoch was the only other person privileged to pass directly from earth to Heaven without experiencing death: “And Enoch walked with God, and he was not; for God took him”(Gen. 5:24). Secondly, Elijah was chosen to play a role in prophecy, i.e., to return to this earth again. “Behold, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord” (Mal. 4:5). The fulfillment of that remarkable prophecy could be John the Baptist.

CONCLUSION This ended the earthly existence of one of the greatest men of God who ever lived. He labored in a remote comer of this earth. He did not have much of this world’s goods. He had none of the world’s applause. No city council ever elected him “man of the year.” When he left, there were evidently no memorial services for him, no monuments erected in his memory, or no parks named in his honor. But the Lord God gave him the greatest privilege imaginable—a heavenly escort to bring him bodily to glory without having to taste of death. He sought in his life to please God alone—it was God alone who rewarded him! I believe that Elijah sets a great example for those of us who are waiting on that time when we too will leave this world. If we were to be honest , every believing person would readily admit that they are anxiously awaiting that time when they will be home with the Lord in glory. But, what are we to be doing here, in the meantime, while we wait? Elijah shows us in this passage!

As we read this account, we find there are three ways that Elijah spent his time as he waited on the whirlwind.

We Need To Be Watching And Waiting. Elijah knew that God was coming for him, but he did not know just when. Therefore, he lived his last days and hours in anticipation of that coming event.

Walking With Purpose – As Elijah anticipated his departure from this world, he continued to live as he always had. He continued to walk in humble obedience before the Lord God! Notice his statement, “The LORD hath sent me…”, v. 2, 4, 6. If Elijah had been like many in our day, he would have spent his last days on the earth in retirement from service. He would have spent his time doing all the things he hadn’t had time to do while he was active serving the Lord. However, Elijah knew a truth that many people never learn: There is no higher call than that of following the Lord and doing what He bids you to do! The lesson for us is this: there will never come a day when we can quit serving the Lord.

The Christian life is not meant to be a life of stagnation. It is meant to be a life of progression. The Lord wants to grow us and fashion us into His image. As He leads us from place to place along the road of life, may we, like Elijah, simply follow in humble obedience to His will for us! After all, the greatest gift we can give the Lord is ourselves, totally surrendered and dedicated to His will, Rom. 12:1-2. There is another generation coming along behind us. What are we teaching them about faith, obedience to God, faithfulness to the Lord’s house and work, love for the Bible, etc? What kind of legacy are we leaving behind as we travel toward our crossing? We are here because some people were faithful to hand down their faith to us, 2 Tim. 2:2. Our duty to those who follow is to give them what they need to get the job done for Jesus.