The Spirit of Elijah Rests on Elisha, part 1 – Presence of the Master
II Kings 2: 1-8; 4 Kingdoms 2: 1-8
This upcoming episode is so profound and filled with spiritual insights. Therefore, we ask your forbearance as it will be offered in three parts. Hopefully, along the way, we will not lose touch with the central theme: the conclusion of Elijah’s ministry and the full recognition of Elisha’s.
We present the study under the headings: Presence of the Master, Perception of the Miracle and Power of the Mantle. May God help us.
A casual reading of the scripture text will not show it, but about 23 years passed between the day Elijah’s mantle was laid upon Elisha (after which he took it back) and the day Elijah was taken up to heaven. That interim period, in which the two walked together is largely unrecorded. However, it must have been a glorious time of teaching and learning, giving and receiving, leading and following, correcting and adjusting. The retiring Elijah was carefully imparting to Elisha all that God had given him … equipping the young prophet for the ministry to which he had been called.
“And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal” (II Kings 2:1).
Elijah seemed to sense that the time for his departure was near. As he had done before, he appeared to prepare for a retreat to seclusion. The text gives no indication of any explanation nor plan (although he did have one). While packing a few belongings, he paused and said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel” (vs. 2). Before he could take his next step, his disciple was quickly packing his own bag for the trip, exclaiming, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you” (vs. 2).
What follows is an account of a magnificent (not by the world’s standards) journey of less than 30 miles. No time frame is given – although is appears to be only a few days – and there were no notable contacts with others. It was a deeply personal experience for each of them. The four places noted on the journey (Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, Jordan) must have been divinely chosen and utilized by Elijah for his final lessons. Herein, we also find some valuable teachings for our spiritual journey.
As mentioned earlier, they began in Gilgal. Gilgal was about 3 miles west of the Jordan River just north of the Dead Sea. Gilgal was the first stop for the people of Israel under Joshua when they entered the Promised Land (Joshua 4:19-24). It was here that the Lord commanded Joshua to have the sons of Israel circumcised – the sign of their identity as God’s people. In so doing, the reproaches of Egypt, their enslavement and suffering, were removed from their past, opening the way for a better future. Hence, Joshua named that place “Gilgal” – “rolling away”.
Elijah had given Elisha the option to remain in Gilgal as he went on alone, but Elisha would not hear of it. We begin to see that Elijah was putting the final tests before his younger successor. Would he go just so far? What was his limit? Where would he be content? His response seemed convincing, “I will not leave you” (vs.2). He fully understood the importance of being in the presence of his master. So, they set out for Bethel, about 13 miles away.
You will recall that Bethel (“house of God”) was so named when Jacob, fleeing from his angry brother, saw a ladder in his dream reaching from earth to heaven with angels thereon. Upon waking, he realized that he had kept his mind on things below and not on heavenly things. “This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:12-17). He then erected an altar, worshipped God and named the place, Bethel.
At Bethel, there appeared some “sons of the prophets” (somewhat like spiritual leaders-in-training; seminarians perhaps?). They tried (but failed) to convince Elisha to remain with them, since Elijah would soon be gone anyhow. “Do you not know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” (vs. 3). But he quietly replied, “Yes, I know; be still” (vs. 3). Even Elijah’s second appeal for him to stay there in Bethel could not quench Elisha’s determination. “I will not leave you” (vs. 4).
As per plan, Elijah turned and headed to Jericho. Once again, they were approached by some “sons of the prophets” who made the same appeal to Elisha and received the same response. He was just not listening to those distracting voices.
Jericho is likely most remembered as the scene of the initial battle in the Israelites’ campaign to possess of the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 6). Their obedience and perseverance were rewarded by the Lord – the wall fell down flat! (Joshua 6:20). The obstacle was great and seemed impossible; it stood in the path of all other challenges that lay ahead, so it had to be conquered. The victory at Jericho increased their faith and strengthened their confidence in their God.
Once again, the aged prophet pressed Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan” (vs.6) and once again, the disciple refused to be stopped. “I will not leave you” (vs.6). So they walked the remaining 3-4 miles to the Jordan River alone.
The Jordan stood as the eastern boundary of the Promised Land. Beyond the River lay the wilderness – a place of separation, a place of seclusion, a place of mystery – and yet, a sacred place. One may recall the deeply moving story of St. Mary of Egypt (+522 AD), who found forgiveness, healing and holiness in her long sojourn beyond the Jordan. As it had been the gateway into the Promised Land, so now it was about to become Elijah’s point of departure into the land where there is no darkness nor death; but eternal light and life.
Apparently, the “sons of the prophets” (who really meant well) had followed them from Jericho and kept their distance as the two blessed servants of God stood together on the bank of the Jordan. Nothing had weakened his will to follow; nothing had diluted his desire to follow; nothing had changed his commitment to follow. Then, that awesome moment arrived when Elijah slowly removed his mantle, carefully folded it and reverently struck the waters of the Jordan. My mind was taken back to Moses standing at the edge of the Red Sea thrusting his staff over the waters with all Israel looking on.
Just then, as if commanded, the waters divided before them, opening a clear path to the opposite shore. What must the “sons of the prophets” have thought as the two stepped onto the dry riverbed and made their way to the other side? What does the world think when God, in His great love and mercy, brings His servants through the trials and victories of life and receives them into His heavenly kingdom? Two things are certain: Elijah could rest assured that his disciple would serve the Lord faithfully with all his heart and Elisha would always treasure the foundation that was laid before him and on which he could build.
In closing this session, may we dare compare that ancient journey with our own journey with Jesus Christ. Those four places were both teachings and tests. Each presented a spiritual experience and each provided a spiritual escape. Elisha received each experience and refused each escape. How may we compare?
At Gilgal, circumcision identified one with God’s people; at our Gilgal, baptism unites us to Christ and His Church. As Bethel became their place of worship, so the Church becomes our place of worship. At Jericho, their victory inspired their conquest of the Promised Land; while our victories over sinful passions inspire us to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Jordan was their place of separation from their world; our Jordan is that step from daily distractions into the quietness of God’s holy presence.
Like Elisha, we could stop at Gilgal and be content with “just being a Christian”; or we could stop at Bethel and be content with “going to church occasionally”; or we could stop at Jericho and be content with “not being a great sinner”. But may we follow in Elisha’s steps and follow Christ to and through the Jordan – never content until we have come, by the mercy of God, to stand forever in the Presence of the Master.
Fr. Andrew
About The Author
