Elisha: An Example Of Obedience

We're here to delve into the book of 2 Kings, specifically chapter 2, verses 1-15. But before we do, I'd like to share a quote from the great Christian author and preacher, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." What profound wisdom! The Bible is not just a book to be read, but a book to be lived. It's not just a source of knowledge, but a source of life. It's not just a collection of stories, but a collection of truths that can transform our lives, if we let them.

"When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.” Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”

So they went to Jericho. The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.” Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”

And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on. Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it.

The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”

And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.

Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over."

2 Kings 2:1-15

Now, as we look at this passage, there are three main points that I want us to focus on. The first is Elisha's exemplary obedience. The second is through obedience, elevating to our true potential. And the third is embracing the benefits of serving God. Let's start with the first point...

In the story of Elijah and Elisha, we see a beautiful picture of obedience. Elisha, the protégé of Elijah, is a model of obedience that we can all learn from. He shows us what it means to follow God's commands, even when it's difficult, even when it doesn't make sense.

Elisha's obedience is first demonstrated in his refusal to leave Elijah's side. Despite Elijah's repeated instructions to stay behind, Elisha insists on accompanying him. "As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you," he says. This is not blind obedience, but obedience born out of love and respect. Elisha knows that Elijah is about to be taken up to heaven, and he wants to be there with him until the end. He wants to learn as much as he can from his mentor. He wants to honor him with his presence. This is the kind of obedience that God desires from us - obedience that comes from a place of love and respect, not fear or obligation.