May 3, 2024

When you eat of the scriptures of God, the belly gets full. The story in 2 Kings 2 is a tasty morsel that is delightful and delicious, like honey to the lips. In this chapter, Elijah is taken to heaven by God in a whirlwind and transported in a chariot of fire. However, before that mighty miracle happened, Elijah tried to shake Elisha by encouraging him to stay rather than follow him. Knowing that God intended to take Elijah that day, Elisha was determined to stick with him like glue to see him taken up. After visiting the prophets in the different cities, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him, and in Godly fashion, he asked for a double portion of his spirit. Elijah told him that if he saw him translated, his request would be granted. God took Elijah up, and his mantle dropped. Elisha, being heartbroken, tore his clothes in mourning. And just as promised, he was given a double portion. As confirmation, he was able to part the waters of the Jordan with the touch of the mantle, just as Elijah had done earlier that day. 

As one of his first miracles, Elisha healed the waters of Jericho by pouring salt into the spring. In those days, the people of the towns hated the prophets, probably because they pointed out their sins, and when they would come into town, they would mock them. That happened to Elisha when he was on the way to Bethel, and it didn’t end very well for those people. The children playing in the streets began jeering and making fun of Elisha’s baldness, which wasn’t a great idea when the man was full of God’s powerful spirit. Elisha cursed them, and two bears came out of the forest and killed forty children. It seems sad, but I’ll bet those parents learned a lesson about making fun of a man's appearance! 

As children of God, he is on our side. Let no man of evil try to touch us; God will not stand for it and will punish them. Do not take part in such things.

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2:11