written by Ashlee Price
You can find the story in your Bible in 2 Kings chapter 2.
In the land of ancient Israel, where the hills rolled like waves under the golden sun, a prophet named Elijah walked the earth, his presence as mighty as the mountains that surrounded him. He was a man of intensity and dedication, chosen by God to speak truth and power and to challenge the hearts of men.
And the Lord saw how faithful Elijah was and said to him that he would be taken to heaven in a whirlwind.
One day Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal when Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”
But Elisha refused to leave him. So, they went down to Bethel.
When they arrived at Bethel the company of the prophets came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.” He was very sad because Elijah was like a father to him.
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.”
But Elisha refused to leave him again.
At Jerico the company of the prophets asked Elisha, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.” He really didn’t want to be asked that question again. It made him sad.
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”
And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So, the two of them walked on.
As they approached Jordan, a whirlwind of excitement swept through the land, for it was whispered among the people that the time had come for Elijah to be taken up to heaven by a chariot of fire. Elisha, his heart heavy with the knowledge of his master’s imminent departure, clung to Elijah’s side he refused to leave him.
When they reached the edge of the Jordan river 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 from you?”
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”
Nodding Elisha agreed and they continued to walk.
Suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
“Elijah! My father!” Elisha cried out, his eyes brimming with tears. “The chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”
And Elisha saw him no more as the chariot disappeared into the sky above.
And then Elisha saw Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and he grabbed it. With a deep breath, he turned his gaze toward the heavens, his heart filled with a newfound sense of purpose.
Walking back to the bank of the Jordan, where he and Elijah had crossed earlier. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it just like Elijah had done and the waters divided to the right and to the left and he walked on dry land.
“Lord God of Elijah,” he whispered, his voice trembling with reverence. “Grant me the strength and the wisdom to carry on the work of your servant. Let your spirit rest upon me, like it rested on him and please use me as a vessel of your truth.”
As the echoes of his prayer faded into the wind, a profound stillness settled over his heart. And in that moment, Elisha knew that he had been chosen for a great and noble purpose, to be a prophet of God unto the people of Israel.
PICTURE CREDIT- FREE BIBLE IMAGES
