3rd Sunday After Pentecost. June 26th, 2022. Series

2 Kings 2:1-2, 2 Kings 2:6-14, Psalm 77:1-2, Psalm 77:11-20, 1 Kings 19:15-16, 1 Kings 19:19-21, Psalm 16, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13-25, Luke 9:51-62.

A). THE SUCCESSION OF ELISHA.

2 Kings 2:1-2; 2 Kings 2:6-14.

1. The main theme of 2 Kings 2:1-14 is not so much the whirlwind, which is only cursorily mentioned (2 Kings 2:1), but rather the matter of succession. Nicely poised between the end of the reign of one king (2 Kings 1:17-18), and the commencement of the reign of another (2 Kings 3:1-3), the passage deals with the parallel question of prophetic continuity.

When it came to the time when Elijah was to be received into heaven, Elijah and Elisha retraced the footsteps of Israel (2 Kings 2:1-8). Three times Elijah told Elisha to return, but the latter was persistent, and refused to leave his master (2 Kings 2:2; 2 Kings 2:4; 2 Kings 2:6). Twice the sons of the prophets informed Elisha of Elijah’s impending departure, and twice Elisha instructed them to keep silence (2 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 2:5).

They came to Bethel, where Jacob had twice met with the LORD in his journeys from and to Israel: and where Jeroboam had more recently set up one of his golden calves. Then Jericho, where Joshua had begun the conquest of Canaan: a city recently rebuilt at great personal cost to the builder thereof (Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34)! Then they miraculously crossed the River Jordan, reflecting as in a mirror the first entrance of Israel into the promised land.

Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's blessing, but Elijah laid emphasis on God’s sovereignty in this matter (2 Kings 2:9-10). After Elijah was taken up, Elisha tore his own clothes into two pieces, then took up Elijah's mantle and (again miraculously) crossed back over the River Jordan (2 Kings 2:11-14).

2. There was also concern for the continuity of the church after the ascension of Jesus. It was a time for waiting, according to His instruction, for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). The question of continuity amongst the Apostles was something of a distraction during the waiting time, but did give rise to a timeless definition of the qualifications required of an Apostle (Acts 1:21-22).

3. The visible church still has to address occasional gaps in ministry, when one servant passes the mantle to another. The times between ministries are times for waiting, for prayer (Acts 1:14), and for maintaining church unity (Acts 2:1).

B). WHO IS SO GREAT AS OUR GOD?

Psalm 77:1-2, Psalm 77:11-20.

PSALM 77:1. “I cried unto God with my voice.” This sounds like one persistent prolonged or repeated cry. There is an intensity about it that cannot prevent it becoming vocalised, ‘out loud’ (as we say). The mouth utters what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45).

“He answered me.” The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (cf. James 5:16). Importunity gets results. ‘Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?’ (Luke 18:7).

PSALM 77:2. “In the day of my trouble I sought the LORD.” All day long, and into the night, the inconsolable psalmist “stretched out his hand” (N.R.S.V.) to God. This is the posture of prayer, reaching out to God, seeking Him, determined to find Him. ‘Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God’ (Psalm 68:31).

When we think, we imagine, that God has withdrawn from us, our first concern is to return to fellowship with Him. So we wrestle on, through all our perplexities and doubts, like Jacob of old, who at last found himself to be a true ‘prince with God’ (as his new name ‘Israel’ translates). ‘For as a prince thou hast power with God and man, and hast prevailed’ (Genesis 32:28).

PSALM 77:11. “I will remember the works of the LORD.” This we must do, for ‘Hitherto hath the LORD helped us’ (1 Samuel 7:12). ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8), so we let our yesterday inform our today and our tomorrow. Our memory of what God has done hitherto informs and instructs our faith in God for the future.

“I will remember THY wonders of old.” Through all his perplexities, doubts and questions, the Psalmist at last turned His meditation toward the LORD Himself. Hereafter the Psalm is addressed directly to God, recalling the salvation history of Israel.

PSALM 77:12. “I will meditate also of ALL thy work.” If we look alone at the work of God in Creation, or the work of God in Providence, these alone are magnificent. But then we might come to the work of Jesus, and what He accomplished, and the work of the Holy Spirit guiding His people. No wonder we sing, ‘How Great Thou Art.’