It could sound like Elisha...
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It could sound like Elisha was being tested. Elijah was going to be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, so Elisha didn't want to miss it. He insisted that he would follow Elijah wherever he goes. I don't read that to mean that Elisha wouldn't obey Elijah. I see it as a desire to follow him and be faithful to him. It could have been dangerous, as Bethel was a hotbed of false worship. Elisha didn't want to miss this. Elijah tried again to leave him while going to the Jordan River. If Elisha had missed that, he would have missed the whole show! So Elijah's words must have been a testing and not a command.
The message must have gotten around as there were fifty prophets who were following them by now, but they stood at a distance -- out of respect?
Then the moment of truth. Elijah rolled up his robe and struck water which divided -- something like Moses crossing the Red Sea where the land was dry also for their crossing. It must have been a shock to Elisha and the others watching. They could never forget it.
Then Elijah asks him the surprise question: "What can I do for you?" What a thing to ask after that miracle! We are surprised at Elisha's presumptuousness! All he asks for is to be given twice the Spirit that was Elijah's! It is a shock even for Elijah, who admits "it ain't easy!" But he concedes that, if Elisha sees Elijah fly off, he will get what he asked for.
What a fantastic sight! Elijah flies away. At first Elisha is panicked and cries out that his spiritual father would not leave him. He even tore his clothes in grief! But sure enough, Elisha's own cloak did the same trick for him, dividing the water. That gift was not Elijah's to give. It came from God only if Elisha was able to see Elijah fly away.
What we gain from this passage is first that we should follow faithfully the one or the mission God has given us, second ask God to give you the strength and wisdom you need to perform it, and third be prepared for a the surprise of a life if you use God's strength!
The message must have gotten around as there were fifty prophets who were following them by now, but they stood at a distance -- out of respect?
Then the moment of truth. Elijah rolled up his robe and struck water which divided -- something like Moses crossing the Red Sea where the land was dry also for their crossing. It must have been a shock to Elisha and the others watching. They could never forget it.
Then Elijah asks him the surprise question: "What can I do for you?" What a thing to ask after that miracle! We are surprised at Elisha's presumptuousness! All he asks for is to be given twice the Spirit that was Elijah's! It is a shock even for Elijah, who admits "it ain't easy!" But he concedes that, if Elisha sees Elijah fly off, he will get what he asked for.
What a fantastic sight! Elijah flies away. At first Elisha is panicked and cries out that his spiritual father would not leave him. He even tore his clothes in grief! But sure enough, Elisha's own cloak did the same trick for him, dividing the water. That gift was not Elijah's to give. It came from God only if Elisha was able to see Elijah fly away.
What we gain from this passage is first that we should follow faithfully the one or the mission God has given us, second ask God to give you the strength and wisdom you need to perform it, and third be prepared for a the surprise of a life if you use God's strength!
