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).
