Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – 2 Kings 2:1-18
Set – 2 Kings 2; Psalms 82; 1 Timothy 1
Go! – 2 Kings 1-3; Psalms 82; 1 Timothy 1
2 Kings 2:1-18
1 Elijah and Elisha were leaving Gilgal when the Eternal One planned to snatch Elijah up into the heavens by the power of a fierce dancing wind.Elijah (to Elisha): 2 I ask you to remain here. The Eternal has commanded me to go all the way to Bethel.
Elisha: As certain as your own life and the life of the Eternal, I refuse to abandon you.
So the two men traveled down to Bethel together, 3 where Elisha was approached by the prophets’ disciples who lived there.
Prophets’ Disciples: Are you aware that the Eternal One is going to snatch Elijah, your mentor, away from you today?
Elisha: Yes, I am aware of this. I want you to keep quiet about it.
Elijah (to Elisha): 4 I beg you to remain here. The Eternal has commanded me to travel to Jericho.
Elisha: As certain as your own life and the life of the Eternal, I refuse to abandon you.
The two men then traveled to Jericho together, 5 where the prophets’ disciples living in Jericho approached Elisha.
Prophets’ Disciples: Are you aware that the Eternal One is going to snatch your mentor away from you today?
Elisha: Yes, I am aware of this. I want you to keep quiet about it.
Elijah (to Elisha): 6 I beg you to remain here. The Eternal One has commanded me to travel to the Jordan River.
Elisha: As certain as your own life and the life of the Eternal, I refuse to abandon you.
So the two men then traveled to the Jordan River together.
7 While Elijah and Elisha were standing near the Jordan River, 50 of the prophets’ disciples from that area stood at a distance from them on the other side. 8 Elijah removed his cloak and rolled it up; then he struck the water with it, and the water divided. Elijah and Elisha then walked across on dry land. 9 After the two had made it to the other side of the Jordan, Elijah spoke to Elisha.
Elijah: Tell me what it is you would like me to do for you before I am taken away from you.
Elisha: Please, I wish to receive a double portion of your spirit. As your successor, I want to have twice the portion of your power.
Elijah: 10 What you have requested of me is challenging, but it will be done if you witness my departure. But if you do not watch, then you will not have your double portion.
11 Now as the two continued walking along and talking as they normally did, something incredible happened. A blazing chariot pulled by blazing horses stormed down from the heavens and came between Elijah and Elisha. Then Elijah was swept up into heaven by the fiery storm. 12 Elisha witnessed this amazing spectacle.
Elisha: My father, O my father! The chariots and riders of Israel!
Elisha never saw Elijah again. Elisha grabbed the clothes he was wearing, and he ripped them in half. 13-14 He picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had dropped to the ground when he was taken up into heaven, and then he went back to the Jordan riverbank and stood. He struck the water with the cloak.
Elisha: Where is the Eternal One? Where is Elijah’s True God?
After Elisha struck the water, the Jordan River divided, just as when Elijah had struck the waters. Elisha then walked across on dry land.
15 The prophets’ disciples at Jericho standing on the opposite shore were watching this.
Prophets’ Disciples: Elijah’s powerful spirit now rests upon Elisha. Elijah’s cloak now clothes Elisha.
Then the prophets’ disciples at Jericho approached Elisha and humbled themselves before him.
Prophets’ Disciples: 16 There are 50 strong men along with us, your servants, who could go looking for your mentor. Perhaps the Spirit of the Eternal inside the whirlwind swept Elijah up into heaven and left him on some mountaintop or in some valley of the lowlands.
Elisha: That won’t be necessary.
17 But they kept asking his permission for a search, and he felt ashamed, so he finally agreed. They sent out a search party of 50 men who spent three days looking for Elijah, but they found no trace of him. 18 The search party came back to Elisha while he was still in Jericho.
Elisha: I told you not to go. He’s gone from the earth.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
Elisha made what seemed a simple request of his mentor, Elijah, a double portion of his spirit. Elisha didn’t understand what he asked, but Elijah granted the request only on condition that his protege see him depart this life. Elisha promised and from that day, never let Elijah out of his sight.
On the day I took Elijah to heaven, he tried to dissuade Elisha from following him. The scripture describes a journey on that day from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho. A short walk to the Jordan River, a miraculous crossing and then My chariot of fire took Elijah to be with Me.
Unless you’ve been there, it sounds like an easy journey, but the 10 miles from Gilgal to Bethel and the 15-mile return to Jericho is anything but easy for a day’s journey on foot. The mountainous terrain, the bandits in that day, the heat and rugged roads made the day’s journey torturous for the pair. What might be an easy day’s walk in Florida or Maryland was almost impossible to complete in a day in Israel.
Elisha wanted that double portion of My spirit, though. He didn’t want anything to interfere with his getting it. Elisha was prepared to do anything to keep his promise to Elijah to get the kind of spirit he saw in his mentor and would not leave his side regardless of how difficult the journey.
Do you seek Me the same way? Do you want Me in your life bad enough to keep going over the rough roads and mountains of life to stick by My side? Do you keep at it when you’re tired and hungry and hot and cold and ready to give up? Do you just keep going because you realize the prize is worth it in the end?
That’s the attitude Elisha kept as he trudged along beside Elijah. That’s the attitude that will keep you strong no matter what you might face along the path of life. The prize is worth it. Keep walking beside Me. I’ll take you with Me one day.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.