As we finish up the story of Elijah, we see Elisha pick up the mantle and continue the work. As Elijah did, we are to be preparing the next generation to continue in obedience to God. Read 2 Kings 2:13-14. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord , the God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over. 2 Kings 2:13‭-‬14 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/2ki.2.13-14.NASB…

Don’t blink! Isn’t it interesting that we never seem to have trouble with this until someone tells us not to. Then, it seems like all we want to do is blink. I wonder if Elisha thought that. Read 2 Kings 2:10. He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so. “ 2 Kings 2:10 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/2ki.2.10.NASB Elisha has just made his request of Elijah and now Elijah responds. This is a difficult thing that he has asked, but as long as he sees Elijah taken up,…

What do you want? It’s an interesting question that can sometimes be difficult to answer. For Elisha, this question was asked by Elijah and so Elisha came up with an answer. Read 2 Kings 2:9. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 2 Kings 2:9 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/2ki.2.9.NASB Elisha wanted to do twice as much as Elijah had done. He asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. All the miracles and wonders that Elijah had demonstrated through God’s power, Elisha wanted…

Passage. It was time to cross over the Jordan. God was leading Elijah and Elijah used his mantle to part the waters of the Jordan and cross over on dry ground. This is now the third time that this miracle has been used by God. First was the Red Sea and the Israelites leaving Egypt. Second was the Israelites crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land. And now Elijah crossing the Jordan as he prepares to enter the eternal promise land. Read 2 Kings 2:7-8. Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the…

The third time. Once again Elijah asks Elisha to stay behind. Once again, Elisha says no. Read 2 Kings 2:5-6. The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be still.” Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” And he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 2 Kings 2:5‭-‬6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/2ki.2.5-6.NASB Elisha still knows what is going…

Try again. Elijah had tried to go be by himself before, but once again, Elisha would not let him. Read 2 Kings 2:3-4. Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.” Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 2 Kings 2:3‭-‬4 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/2ki.2.3-4.NASB Here, we see…

Not alone. As we near the end of the story of Elijah, we see him try to be alone again, but Elisha won’t let him. Read 2 Kings 2:1-2. And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 2 Kings 2:1‭-‬2 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/2ki.2.1-2.NASB Elijah has tried to be alone before, when he sent his…

God’s truth remains. Elijah sent a message to the king with God’s word. Now that the king has requested to see Elijah in person, the word from God still has not changed. Read 2 Kings 1:16-18. Then he said to him, “Thus says the Lord , ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron-is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word?-therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.'” So Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken. And because he had no son, Jehoram…

Afraid. Apparently Elijah would have had reason to be afraid of the other two captains, but not this one. So, God directs him to go with this third captain. Read 2 Kings 1:14-15. Behold fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight.” The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king. 2 Kings 1:14‭-‬15 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/2ki.1.14-15.NASB This third captain had humbled himself before God and Elijah and had shown respect and value…