SCRIPTURE: 2 KINGS 2
ELIJAH TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN (vs. 1-18)
Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal to Bethel. Elijah asked Elisha to say but Elisha wanted to go with him. From there, they proceeded to Jericho. Elijah again told Elisha to stay but Elisha insisted of following him till they reached 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: “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken out?” ?Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” Elisha replied. Elijah said: “If you see me when i am taken from you, it will be yours – otherwise not” (vs. 9-10)
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horse of fire appeared and separated them and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out: “My father, my father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” (v. 12). He picked up the cloak of Elijah and struck the water. It divided to the right and left and he crossed over. The company of the prophets wanted to look for Elijah. They searched for 3 days but did not find him.
HEALING OF THE WATER (vs. 19-22)
The men of the city told Elisha that their water is bad and the land is unproductive. Elisha put some salt in a bowl and threw it into the spring saying: “This is what the Lord says: “I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive”. And the water has remained wholesome to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. (vs. 21-22)
ELISHA IS JEERED (vs. 23-25)
As Elisha was going up to Bethel, some youths made fun of him saying: “Go on up, you baldhead!” (v. 23). Elisha turned around looked at them and called a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled 42 of the youths. And he went on the Mt. Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.
THOUGHTS:
Elisha followed Elijah faithfully for ten years. He stayed with Elijah until the day God took him. He was able to inherit a double portion of the spirit. If we faithfully follow God, we can also receive a double portion of His blessings.
Elisha took the cloak of Elijah and separated the Jordan River. He step out by faith by himself. We must show our faith in God with actions.
Elijah was the second person mentioned in the Scripture who was taken to heaven without dying. The first was Enoch. Jesus was also taken in bodily form to heaven after his resurrection.