Passing the Mantle

INTRO

The writing in 2 Kings might sound familiar, because 1 and 2 Kings were written as one book. Jewish tradition holds that Jeremiah wrote 2 Kings. That doesn’t make sense because Jeremiah was never in Babylon. So, we are not completely sure who wrote the books of 1 and 2 Kings. These books are an accurate and interpreted historical account, meaning that the author wrote these books so Israel could learn from their mistakes. Paul Van Gorder wrote, “[2 Kings is] perhaps the saddest book of all Jewish history.”¹Why? Because 2 Kings is a recording of the Israelites being taken into captivity.

The book of 2 Kings is divided into two divisions. Chapters 1 through 17 cover Israel and Judah until the fall of Samaria. Then, chapters 18 through 25 cover the history of Judah up to the destruction of Jerusalem. Despite the brokenness and chaos of the kingdom, God had a plan. Remember Something Greater was coming. Amidst the fighting, brokenness, and division, God allowed a Surviving Seed that points to Christ. As we study the book of 2 Kings, we will see a picture of Christ—Christ and the believer (2:1–22), Christ and the world (4:38–41), and Christ and the sinner (5:1–14).²In 2 Kings 1, Moab rebelled against Israel (v. 1); Elijah rebuked Ahaziah (vv. 2–16); Ahaziah king of Israel died, and Jehoram succeeded Ahaziah as king (v. 17). The phrase for the Messiah in 2 Kings is seen through the life of Elisha: Surviving Seed.

TEACHING

2 Kings 2:1: Remember that Elijah was the prophet who asked for the fire to fall on Mount Carmel, and he was also the one who ran ahead of Ahab. The Lord would take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. A whirlwind was a specific storm that involved lightning and thunder (Job 38:1; 40:6; Jeremiah 23:19; Zechariah 9:14). This storm was from the Lord; His presence was in the storm.

2 Kings 2:2: Elijah and Elisha were both prophets. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me on to Bethel.” Elisha replied, “I will not leave you.” Bethel was six to eight miles north of Jerusalem and had a bad reputation because of the false worship centers that were located there.

2 Kings 2:3: They arrived in Bethel, and the sons of the prophets came to meet them. John MacArthur explains that the sons of the prophets were “an association of prophets that met and possibly lived together for study, encouragement, and service.”³ They said to Elisha, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?” To which he replied, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

2 Kings 2:4: Again, Elijah tried to get Elisha to stay because the Lord was sending him to Jericho. Again, Elisha replied, “I will not leave you.” Jericho was fourteen miles southeast of Bethel.

2 Kings 2:5: When the two men arrived in Jericho, the sons of the prophets again came out and told Elisha, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?” To which he replied, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.” He wanted to make the most of his time with his mentor.

2 Kings 2:6–8: For the third time, Elijah told Elisha to stay behind. For the third time, Elisha said, “I will not leave you.” So, the two of them went to the Jordan. At the Jordan River, the two men faced fifty sons of prophets on the other side. Elijah took his mantle (cloak) rolled it up and struck the river with it. Instantly the river parted. The two men crossed over on dry ground. This is mind blowing! Elijah was a miracle worker!

2 Kings 2:9–10: Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before he was taken away. Elisha replied, “Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit.” He wanted to function and walk in that power. He wanted a double blessing, or as MacArthur wrote, “a double share of God’s spirit.”⁴

Elisha did not want material blessings; he wanted to be blessed so he could advance God’s purpose. Elijah pointed out that what Elisha asked for was something difficult. It would essentially be up to God if Elisha’s request would be granted.

In our own lives, we need to consider, what does it mean to receive the double portion of the Spirit of God?

2 Kings 2:11: As the two men walked and talked, a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire came from the sky and separated the two. Then Elijah was taken up to heaven. Elijah did not die; he was carried up to heaven (Genesis 5:24). There are not many instances of God plucking someone up to heaven.

2 Kings 2:12–15: Elisha cried out and tore his clothes. Then he picked up Elijah‘s cloak and struck the water. When he did this, the waters parted. Where did he learn that? You can learn from those who go before you. When the sons of prophets saw him, they bowed down. They had seen the anointing of Elisha.

2 Kings 2:16–17: The fifty other prophets wanted to go and search for Elijah’s body, just in case Elijah’s body had been separated from his spirit and placed somewhere else. Elisha knew they would not find anything, but after much urging, he let the men go. They searched for three days and couldn’t find Elijah. When they returned to Elisha in Jericho, he said, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”

2 Kings 2:19–21The men of the city complained to Elisha that the land and water was cursed. Remember Joshua put a curse on Jericho (Joshua 6:26). Then in 1 Kings 16:34, Jericho was reestablished at the cost of the king’s sons. Elisha asked the local men to bring him a bowl with salt in it. He went to the river, threw salt in the water, and the water was healed. It remains healthy to this very day. I love this story. This story shows that God’s presence was with Elisha.

2 Kings 2:22–25: Some young boys harassed Elisha because he was bald. He turned around and cursed them. Then, two female bears came out and killed forty-two of the children. Don’t mess with Elisha!

CLOSING

We are always to persevere. As you pursue more, pick up the mantle that God has given you. We have all received an anointing from God (1 John 2:20–27).