Chariots of Fire

Elijah’s Ascension: He Finishes His Race

2 Kings 2:1-12

As Elijah’s earthly ministry draws to a close, a scene ensues where Elijah will go town to town trying to shake Elisha (vv. 1-6). Two of the towns are places known as centers of pagan worship. Bethel was where Jeroboam set up the golden calf, instituted non-Levitical priests, and appointed a feast. Jericho had been cursed by Joshua. In these towns we’re introduced to “the sons of the prophets,” who are pupils of the prophets and part of a prophetic community. The sons of the prophets seem to have been set up strategically in these cities that are deeply entrenched in idolatry. In places of great darkness, we need Bible-preaching and -teaching believers.

Elisha will not let Elijah shake him. Most scholars believe the point of his not leaving Elijah’s side is to test whether Elisha will count the cost of discipleship, probably a final test to see if he will persist. We see something of our own call here—to forsake all for the glory of the Name. The question for us, like Elisha, is, will we persist and persevere? This is the sign of the true disciple: we bring the Word near, and we delight in God above all else. Elisha is a true disciple, for he had forsaken all, burning the plows, to follow Elijah. This won’t be the last time disciples forsake all to follow a great prophet!

Elisha doesn’t want to hear that Elijah is being taken up. A deep bond has probably developed—imagine 18 years of apprenticeship. Elijah, the new Moses, now parts the Jordan, as described in language reminiscent of the exodus, and they cross on dry land. The sons of the prophets witness from a distance this passing of the torch. Elijah has crossed the Jordan and is about to enter the most precious of promised lands.

Once they cross, Elisha asks for “two shares,” referring to the double portion the firstborn inherits (Deut 21:17). In this case it isn’t wealth but prophetic power. Thus, Elisha is essentially saying he will count the cost and dedicate his whole life to continue Elijah’s work as though he is his firstborn. Elisha asks this, not unlike Solomon, realizing he will need great help as God’s representative to complete the task to which he is called.

Now a war vehicle comes for God’s prophet—a “chariot of fire with horses of fire” (vv. 11-12). These aren’t fluffy, cotton candy clouds but a war instrument. Elijah is called the “chariots and horsemen of Israel.” The appearing of the chariot of fire symbolizes that these prophets are the power of Israel, and it is because the power of Yahweh is in them. The chariot was an instrument of military might, and the author is essentially saying Elijah is like the army of God, the true defense of Israel, because God is with him.

Elijah goes on to his eternal reward without tasting death because God is in control of death and can overrule it. Elisha is saddened and shows signs of sorrow over losing a mentor. The text leaves us with some questions: Will we count the cost? Will we persist? Will we seek the glory of God over our own? Will we rely on God’s power to speak God’s Word faithfully in places of darkness?

Elisha’s Ascension

2 Kings 2:13-25

A New Joshua (vv. 13-18)

We learn some important lessons about Elijah in this passage. First, Elijah points us back to Moses. Both called Israel to covenant faithfulness and then died outside the promised land, leaving behind disciples to take up the work. We now see in Elisha a new Joshua with a similar name—Joshua means “Yahweh is salvation” and Elisha means “my God is salvation.” Elisha comes through the Jordan to Jericho, and he comes to root out Canaanite worship.

Second, Elijah points forward to John the Baptist, a prophet who would wear the same kind of clothes as Elijah. John the Baptist—crying out in the wilderness against a national power, with a woman at the center of it seeking his life—would be a forerunner of Joshua’s fulfillment, Jesus. Like Elijah, John would anoint his successor at the Jordan and see his successor as the firstborn receiving the promised inheritance. God is orchestrating a plan to save His people.

At this moment it may have seemed that Israel’s defense system was gone because the one who had stood in the gap calling the Baal lovers to turn and repent is gone. However, God will not cease to have a man calling Israel to faithfulness. Elijah may be gone, but Yahweh isn’t. The God of Elijah is still here, which is what Elisha is saying when he strikes the river and says, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” Elisha believes God has certainly not abandoned them, and he relies on Yahweh for power. The new man is here!

This passing of the mantle to Elisha will be validated in three signs. The new Joshua parts the sea and heads toward Jericho and then to Bethel to root out the pagan worship.

The company of prophets realizes that Elijah has passed his prophetic work on to Elisha with their words and actions. They revere him as the new representative of God for Israel. Elisha gives in to peer pressure here when he first tells them not to seek for Elijah but then gives in to their request. After a fruitless search for Elijah, Elisha basically says, “I told you so.” This validates Elisha as the one who bears not only the power of Yahweh but also His wisdom.

A Glimpse of Eden (vv. 19-22)

Another miracle validates Elisha’s work. The men of the city seek Yahweh’s help. The men essentially say the city is pleasant but something lethal in the water is causing humans and animals to miscarry. Historically, Joshua had cursed anyone who would try to rebuild Jericho, and during Ahab’s day someone did, paying the price of the curse. The city that was under a curse now receives a blessing from Yahweh. Elisha heals the water and assures them it will no longer cause death. Here we glimpse what miracles do. They don’t invade the natural order but restore it.

In miracles you taste the past and the future. We glimpse of Eden where there was no foul water, and we glimpse the future when there will be streams of water that bring life and there is no death. We see grace here! Elisha restores the water to its original design, and the curtain of history is pulled back ever so briefly, and the curse is lifted.

It isn’t just human beings who await the return of the King; the earth itself does. The earth is groaning, Romans tells us, and just briefly those groans stop in Jericho, of all places. This will not be the last prophet with power over water and the curse.

To Kill a Mocking Boy (vv. 23-25)

I have often quoted this passage in response to sarcastic statements about my bald head! It seems to be a favorite text among follicly challenged men like me. But what exactly is going on here?

As you consider everything behind this account, you realize this act involves more than just teenagers joking with their teacher. It’s a serious offense. These guys are mocking the prophet of God. They ridicule this new Joshua who has come into pagan Bethel to root out Canaanite worship.

Bethel is the town Jeroboam used to house the golden calf, so it isn’t shocking that teens here would mock and ridicule God’s prophet. They’re like their fathers. Elisha had proven who he was, yet he still is mocked. This won’t be the last prophet who is mocked.

“Go up, baldy! Go up, baldy!” they say. Even though Elisha probably had his head covered, they apparently knew he was in fact bald, so they decided to mock his physical features as well as his God and his office. In saying, “Go up,” they essentially mean “get out of here; we don’t want anything to do with you.” So they show total derision toward him.

Evil mockery in general is ridiculing those made in God’s image and thus deriding the One who made them. James 3:8-10 says,

. . . but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way.

In their mockery these guys are showing contempt and hostility toward Yahweh and His representative. Something more sinister yet is going on. If pagan worship persists, the coming of the Messiah could be compromised. This is Satan’s plan: to compromise the line of the coming One through intermarriage with pagans so God’s people cease to exist as a nation. However, Elisha is the new Joshua protecting the promised Seed by protecting the line that will bless the nations.

The word for “small boys” here could be steward or servant. It’s likely these are officials at the shrine to the golden calf, so the new Joshua is beginning a holy war against the shrines of the Canaanites and their central places of worship set up in Israel.

Elisha brings on God’s judgment, and she-bears attack the boys. The warning in Leviticus 26:21-22 comes to mind:

If you act with hostility toward Me and are unwilling to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times for your sins. I will send wild animals against you that will deprive you of your children, ravage your livestock, and reduce your numbers until your roads are deserted.

We should remember that God will not be mocked. Galatians 6:7 simply says, “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap.” God will have the last word.

We aren’t sure if the boys are actually killed because the word literally means “mauled,” so they may not have died. Whatever the case, covenant infidelity has brought on a curse. This curse on the boys was a warning to the nation. If they persist in mockery, disdain, disobedience, and apostasy, then there will be dreadful consequences. This episode was a vivid sign to the people. Soon a great bear would come maul them and take them to exile.

Conclusion

Elisha, the new Joshua, is on a crusade. He has been shown as a true successor who brings both blessings (for those who cry out to God) and curses (for the mocking enemies of God). Elijah is gone, but everything is OK because Yahweh is present. Elisha is carrying on with power, wisdom, judgment, and grace.

The judgment of both chapters is clear: those who seek and call on the Lord (the third captain and Jericho) will get Him and His grace (restored waters and new creation), and those who don’t will suffer the loss of all things through fire and judgment.

So, in a world where there are many paths to choose, where do the Scriptures tell us to turn? They tell us to seek and entrust ourselves to a greater Prophet. This is a Prophet who will call everyone to turn from false gods. This is a Prophet who judges by fire like Elijah but One who takes the fire on Himself before He pours it on unrepentant sinners. On the last day a fire will come for all who have not fled to Him. This Prophet will set His face like flint toward Jerusalem, saying He has a baptism of fire that He must undergo and how He is anxious to undergo it (Luke 12:50). This Prophet is greater than Elijah; He doesn’t have to escape death by ascension but goes through death so He can defeat it before He ascends.

Another Prophet will be anointed for service at the Jordan River. On that day He will not just get the double portion of the firstborn; He will actually be the firstborn Son of God, in whom God is well pleased. Another Prophet has command over the water; in fact the water will rage against Him, and He will say, “Be still!” And the water will listen! “Who is this man?” people will ask.

Another Prophet will be mocked and have His hair pulled out. Thorns will be put on His head, and He will not be told to go up, but He will be mocked while He is on a cross and be told to come down. This Prophet, even in the midst of persecution, will show that He is a gracious Prophet who would tell one of the mockers who turns and repents that He will be with this Prophet-King in paradise.

This Prophet can pronounce blessing and roll back the curse by crushing that ancient Serpent. This One will share the name of Joshua and Elisha. His name will be Jesus.

One greater than Elijah and Moses is here, the God-Man Jesus Christ. He doesn’t just call us back to covenant faithfulness. He actually bears the penalty that covenant breaking deserves and is lifted up on an instrument of torture so that, if you will seek Him, His judgment will be your judgment, and His resurrection will be your resurrection.

This is the most important question today and on that final day: Whom will you trust? Yourself, Baal-zebub, or this Messiah/Prophet/King? He will come again to judge the world that has rejected Him, and on that day fire will fall. Your judgment can already have been taken at the cross if you will be like the third captain, repenting and saying, “Let my life be precious in Your sight.” We should look to this One: His ministry to the nations has now been mediated to us. We too had brothers standing and seeing the better Prophet taken up, and He like Elijah left His Spirit for us to carry out the tasks given us as successors, heirs, and sons so that nations would delight in Yahweh. Let’s do this work with hope because death cannot touch us; we will ascend one day like our King

You see, this chapter isn’t the last we hear from Elijah. He will make one more appearance with Moses and the two prophets who had been permitted to see the glory of God on a mountain. This time they will once again be on a mountain seeing the glory of God but this time in a face. The question is, Do we see that glory? Or are we looking in Philistine territory? Whom will we trust? Whom will you set your gaze on? Look to Jesus.

Reflect and Discuss