The Changing of the Guard (2 Kings 2)
2 Kings 2 (8-14)
We have seen many kings come and many go.
And yet the hero has been Elijah
He was the prophetic voice which always seemed
To stand against the tide, even if he had to stand alone.
WHERE WOULD ISRAEL BE WITHOUT ELIJAH?
But now it is time for a new voice to step onto the scene.
This story actually started several weeks ago.
1 Kings 19:15-18 “The LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. “It shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. “Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Between those three men not a single Baal worshiper would escape.
We learned that even though it wasn’t as fast as Elijah wanted,
God was at work, and revival was coming.
And so Elijah went from that place and called Elisha
1 Kings 19:19-21 “So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.”
From that point on Elisha was the understudy.
He served Elijah, he ministered to Elijah.
He was in training for the day when Elijah would be gone.
In our text this morning, that day has come.
And this morning we see exactly how this new witness comes about.
3 main points this morning.
#1 THE PERSISTENCE OF ELISHA
2 Kings 2:1-6
You will immediately notice that it is time for Elijah’s departure.
And God is going to give him quite a departure.
Elijah would not taste death, but would catch a whirlwind to heaven.
In a moment you will see why.
But as it nears his time to leave, we find a man glued to his side.
That man is Elisha.
In fact, three times Elijah tries to get Elisha to go away.
VERSE 2, 4, 6 But Elisha refused to leave Elijah’s side.
Twice we have the sons of the prophets interfering (3,5),
But Elisha refused to be distracted.
He reminded me of the Canaanite woman.
Matthew 15:21-28 “Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.”
This woman was also persistent.
She knew what she wanted, she knew where to get it,
And she wasn’t leaving until she got it.
That is the same type of attitude that Elisha has here.
He refuses to leave Elijah’s side.
WHY?
Well, that is what we see next.
#2 THE PETITION OF ELISHA
2 Kings 2:7-14
It is apparent from verse 9 that Elijah knew why Elisha would not leave.
“Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.”
Elisha had a request.
WHAT WAS THE REQUEST?
“Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
Elisha was about to try and fill Elijah’s shoes.
He most certainly did not want to do it in his own strength.
(At Pastor’s Conference – “Filling Jerry Vines’ shoes”)
Talk about feeling incapable and second rate.
And here Elisha is about to try and fill Elijah’s shoes.
No way he could do it unless he had equipping from on high.
He asked for “a double portion of your spirit”
Elijah was bold…
Elijah was strong…
Elijah was confident…
ELIJAH WAS ALSO PERSECUTED
Remember Ahab wanted to kill Elijah – he searched to every country.
Remember Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah – she vowed to do so.
Remember Ahaziah wanted to kill Elijah – he sent 3 captains with their 50
It is similar to when Jesus answered James and John:
Matthew 20:20-23 “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
We all know that cup was.
It was the same cup Jesus referred to when He prayed, “Let this cup pass from Me…”
To share in His Spirit is to share in His suffering.
But Elisha asked anyway.
(10) “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”
By this sign, Elisha would know if his request had been granted.
(11-12) “As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.”
Elisha nearly got run over by a flaming chariot,
And at once Elijah was gone.
Elisha ripped his clothes as he saw his mentor disappear.
And then a very important thing happened.
(13) “He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.”
This was more than following Elijah around.
This was fulfilling the calling of God.
Who would step up and fill the void left by Elijah?
And the answer is: Elisha.
And his first priority was to make sure God was with him.
(You don’t want to go, if God is not for you)
(14) “He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.”
And instantly God reveals that He is for Elisha.
(Such great confirmation!)
So we see the Persistence of Elisha
The Petition of Elisha
#3 THE PROOF OF ELISHA
2 Kings 2:15-25
What you will see taking place here is God revealing to the rest of the world that Elisha is indeed His new chosen spokesman.
1) A SEARCH (15-18)
The sons of the prophets were not yet ready to concede all to Elisha.
They wanted to make sure.
Elisha told them otherwise, but they didn’t believe him.
In fact, they shamed him.
(17) “But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him.”
Apparently they said something like:
“You just don’t want us to find Elijah, so you can be the bid chief prophet. You think it’s all about you.”
And so Elisha told them to go, but they obviously did not find Elijah.
(18) “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”
God allowed Elisha to get the last word,
And to prove that he was indeed God’s spokesman.
A Search
2) A SIGN (19-22)
It was one of many miracles that Elisha would work.
In fact, many recon that Elisha
Worked twice as many miracles as Elijah.
A Search, A Sign
3) A SLAUGHTER (23-24)
Here, Elisha goes to Bethel.
You will remember it as one of the locations of Jeroboam’s golden calves,
It is obvious there that the people
Don’t care to hear from God’s prophets.
They have even taught their children to be disrespectful
To those men who speak for God.
And so the children come out mocking Elisha.
(They are really mocking God and His word)
(24) “When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up the forty-two lads of their number.”
It was a brutal lesson, but the lesson was clear.
Then Scripture says:
(25) “He went from there to Mt. Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.”
He visited that historic battle site
And then, “he returned to Samaria.”
The prophet was ready to begin his ministry.
• He was now God’s witness.
• He had been clothed with God’s power.
• God had proven Him with miracles and signs.
We see there a man who was faithful to his calling,
To pick up the torch of those who had gone before him.
WHAT I DIDN’T TELL YOU AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THIS TEXT IS THAT THIS IS A HIGHLY PROPHETIC CHAPTER.
This chapter serves as an amazing picture,
With many details which are far more than coincidence.
The reason Elijah was caught up into the sky is because
He was foreshadowing how someone else would some day leave.
Elijah was a picture of Jesus.
Elisha was a picture of the disciples.
LET ME GIVE YOU A FEW SIMILARITIES
1) THE NEED FOR GOD’S SPIRIT
Elisha knew he needed it.
Remember what Jesus taught His disciples?
John 15:26-27 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”
John 16:1-7 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. “These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. “But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘ Where are You going?’ “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
In fact, Jesus specifically instructed the disciples
Not to try and start their ministry without Him.
Luke 24:44-49 “Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. “You are witnesses of these things. “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
2) THE ACTUAL ASCENSION
With Elijah’s last breath, he was giving instruction
(11) “As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.”
This is also how Jesus ascended.
Acts 1:6-9 “So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
3) THE RESPONSE TO THE ASCENSION
Notice that after Eljiah was gone, Elisha ripped his garments.
It symbolized a time of mourning…
It symbolized a time of separation…
This is no different than Jesus’ disciples.
Matthew 9:14-15 “Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
Although the disciples had a ministry to perform,
It did not mean that they did not long to still be with Jesus.
4) HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME
Notice how Elisha received the Holy Spirit.
Fire came down, as the whirlwind took Elijah up.
At Pentecost when the disciples received Him:
Acts 2:2-4 “And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.”
5) THE IMMEDIATE PRESENCE OF BOLDNESS
Elisha is speaking to all with boldness and authority.
So the disciples also.
These once timid men who hid in the upper room and went fishing every time it got difficult, suddenly found themselves with a bold passion to serve.
Acts 4:19-20 “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
6) THE SHARING IN PERSECUTION
Elisha was instantly mocked.
Look at how the disciples were treated:
2 Corinthians 4:8-11 “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
They shared in His cup.
7) THE INCREASE IN MIRACLES
Elisha did twice as many miracles as Elijah.
Remember what Jesus said to His disciples?
John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”
No, they were not greater than Jesus,
But because they were able to spread out,
They took the gospel further than Jesus ever took it.
THIS IS A PROPHETIC CHAPTER
REVEALING HOW GOD WOULD ONE DAY EMPOWER HIS CHURCH TO CONTINUE THE MINISTRY OF JESUS.
And can you imagine where we would be today if they had not stepped up to the plate after the departure of Jesus?
• What if Peter had refused to preach at Pentecost?
• What if Peter had refused to witness to Cornelius?
• What if Paul had been too afraid to take the gospel to Asia or Rome?
Where would we be if these men had not decided
To try and fill shoes that seemed impossible to fill?
But as you must know, it didn’t stop there.
Jesus passed the torch to these men, and faithfully they took up the mantle and carried the truth to a lost and dying world.
But there would come a day when these men
Would see their departure as well.
Peter wrote:
2 Peter 1:12-15 “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.”
Peter wrote to his followers, that he would soon be departing,
And they needed to be reminded of the truth,
So that they could be faithful witnesses just as he had been.
Paul was no different.
When he was getting close to leaving, he invested in a replacement as well.
That man’s name was Timothy.
2 Timothy 1:8-14 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”
In case you didn’t know the background to that letter.
Timothy was discouraged and wanted to quit.
Paul wrote to challenge him to stay the course.
At the end of the letter he said:
2 Timothy 4:1-8 “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Paul closed his letter revealing that he was about to depart,
And that he wanted Timothy to fill his shoes.
While we don’t have record of how Peter’s followers responded,
WE DO KNOW WHAT TIMOTHY DID.
Hebrews 13:23 “Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.”
It is obvious that Timothy took up Paul’s mantle.
Timothy stood strong, even to the point of imprisonment.
• Jesus had passed the torch to His disciples…
• They had passed the torch to theirs…
Hopefully I don’t have to tell you that the torch is still passing today.
“Christianity is always only one generation away from extinction.”
We know the truths of Jesus today
Because of the faithful who went before us.
They were empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill a task
Much bigger than themselves and they answered the call.
TODAY THE CALL GOES OUT TO US.
Perhaps you have read Hebrews 11.
We call it the “Faith Hall of Fame”
It lists those tremendous saints of old who trusted God no matter what.
And the preacher says this:
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
In other words, since those before us have faithfully run the race,
Even amidst hardship, let us also run.
Let us take up their mantle and faithfully proclaim their message.
The preacher would go on to say:
Hebrews 13:12-14 “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”
• At one point, Elijah held the mantle…
• He passed it to Elisha…
• Eventually it made it’s way to Jesus who passed it to Paul…
• Paul passed the mantle to Timothy…
• And now, having passed throughout the ages, it is passed to us.
The question is will we do what Elisha did?
Will we do what Paul did?
Will we do what Timothy did?
Will we take up the mantle and fulfill the ministry?
In a world of moral decay, when so many hate the truth,
Will you stand for God and speak the truth?
2 Timothy 4:1-5 “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
