The Explanation

Elijah knew this was his last day on earth. God was going to take him up to heaven, in a whirlwind, that very day. And Elisha, his helper, would not leave his side.

Three times Elijah said, "Please wait here." Three times Elisha answered, "As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." From Gilgal to Bethel, from Bethel to Jericho, from Jericho to the Jordan river, Elisha kept walking beside him.

At the Jordan, Elijah rolled up his coat and struck the water. The river split apart, right and left. Both men walked through on dry ground. Fifty prophets watched from far away, hardly believing their eyes.

Then Elijah asked Elisha, "What can I do for you, before I am taken?" Elisha asked for something big: a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Elijah said, "You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken, you will get it."

Suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, pulled by horses of fire. It came between them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw it happen. He cried out, "My father, my father!" Then he tore his clothes in two, because his heart was torn too.

What Does This Mean?

Elisha picked up Elijah's coat, which had fallen to the ground. He walked back to the Jordan river. He struck the water, just like Elijah had done, and asked, "Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?" The water split apart again. Elisha walked through.

The other prophets saw this and bowed down. They said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." God had answered the hard request. Elisha was ready to carry on the work.

Some men in Jericho complained that their water was bad and their land would not grow food. Elisha threw salt into the spring, in God's name, and the water was healed. It stayed healed, the story says, "to this day."

But not every part of this chapter feels good. On the way to Bethel, a group of young men mocked Elisha, calling him names. Elisha spoke a curse over them in God's name, and two bears came out of the woods and hurt many of them. This is a hard, sobering piece of the story. It shows that mocking God's messenger was not something to laugh about.

The Common Thread

Elijah went up to heaven, but he was not the last one God would send. Elisha received his spirit and continued speaking for God, healing what was broken, just like his teacher had.

This points forward. Long after Elisha, God would send someone even greater, his own Son, Jesus. Jesus also did things no one else could do: healing water, healing people, giving life. And Jesus, too, went up to heaven, watched by his friends, just like Elijah was watched by Elisha.

For You

Elisha stayed close to Elijah, even when it was hard, even when he could have stopped and stayed behind. Think of someone who teaches you about God, a parent, a grandparent, a teacher. Are you willing to stay close, to listen, to learn from them?

You can also ask God for something big, like Elisha did. Not for power, but perhaps for courage, or patience, or a heart that trusts him more.

Talk About It

Why do you think Elisha did not want to leave Elijah, even three times?

What is one thing you could ask God for, that would help you love him more?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank you that you take care of your people, just like you took care of Elijah and Elisha. Help us stay close to those who teach us about you. Give us the courage to ask you for good things, and help us trust that you hear us. Amen.