2 Kings 2
Many years ago I heard a memorable sermon on this chapter of the Bible, something remarkable happens in this chapter.
God is about to take the prophet Elijah, chief prophet of God in Israel and worker of miracles, into heaven.
Elijah and his assistant Elisha are making their way up to Bethel from Gilgal and Elijah tells Elisha to stay and God has called him to Bethel. Elisha says "As surely as the LORD lives, and as you live , I will not leave you." The preacher of the sermon I recall translated that to "Not on your nellie pal, I'm coming with you"
The Prophets in Bethel come up to Elisha and say "Don't you know God is going to take your master away today?"
Elisha replied "Yes I know - so be quiet" - or SHUT UP - I know already!
Elijah then told Elisha to stay in Bethel as God has told him to go to Jericho. Elisha basically says not on your nellie, pal, I'm coming with you"
The Prophets in Jericho say the same as in Bethel, "God is going to take your master away today" and they are told "I know so shut up".
In Jericho Elijah tries to shake off Elisha again saying he is going to the Jordan. Not on your nellie comes the reply.
50 men from the company of prophets - does that sound like a business name to anybody else? witness Elijah and Elisha crossing the Jordan river, Elijah having rolled up his cloak and hit the river with it.
Eventually after they crossed Elijah asked Elisha exactly what he wanted before he is taken away.
Elisha wants a double portion of Elijah's spirit and he is told it will happen if Elisha sees Elijah getting taken away, if not it won't happen.
As they were walking along a chariot of fire (The inspiration for the title of the film incidentally) came between Elijah and Elisha. Also the origin of the spiritual "Swing low sweet chariot" when a whirlwind carried Elijah off to heaven, leaving only his cloak.
Elisha, in mourning picked up Elijah's cloak and reaching the Jordan cried out "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" and struck the river with Elijah's cloak and it dried up again.
The prophets from Jericho recognise that God's spirit has transferred to Elisha and they make an offer to go and search for Elijah - in case God dropped him in a remote valley or on a mountain. Elisha said "Don't bother, he has gone"
They insisted until Elisha got embarrassed and let them go an look, without success, for 3 days.
Elisha could not resist a "I told you not to go" when they got back.
Elisha starts to work miracles now - there is a problem with the cities water supply.
Elisha threw salt into the spring saying "the LORD Says "I have healed this water, never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive"
The end of this chapter is fairly close to my head - I am a bit thin on top as was Elisha apparently.
He was walking along when some yobs started taunting him for his lack of noddle thatch.
Elisha looks at them, then curses them in the name of God.
2 bears came out of the wood at this and mauled 42 of the boys.
Elisha returned to Samaria by way of Mount Carmel.
Now I don't condone Elisha cursing a mob of extremely rude and unpleasant youths, Jesus said "Bless those who curse you, bless and do not curse" so I hope that I would not act as Elisha did here - HOWEVER I feel the moral is don't mock bald people - bad things can happen (Not that I would wish that!)
Many years ago I heard a memorable sermon on this chapter of the Bible, something remarkable happens in this chapter.
God is about to take the prophet Elijah, chief prophet of God in Israel and worker of miracles, into heaven.
Elijah and his assistant Elisha are making their way up to Bethel from Gilgal and Elijah tells Elisha to stay and God has called him to Bethel. Elisha says "As surely as the LORD lives, and as you live , I will not leave you." The preacher of the sermon I recall translated that to "Not on your nellie pal, I'm coming with you"
The Prophets in Bethel come up to Elisha and say "Don't you know God is going to take your master away today?"
Elisha replied "Yes I know - so be quiet" - or SHUT UP - I know already!
Elijah then told Elisha to stay in Bethel as God has told him to go to Jericho. Elisha basically says not on your nellie, pal, I'm coming with you"
The Prophets in Jericho say the same as in Bethel, "God is going to take your master away today" and they are told "I know so shut up".
In Jericho Elijah tries to shake off Elisha again saying he is going to the Jordan. Not on your nellie comes the reply.
50 men from the company of prophets - does that sound like a business name to anybody else? witness Elijah and Elisha crossing the Jordan river, Elijah having rolled up his cloak and hit the river with it.
Eventually after they crossed Elijah asked Elisha exactly what he wanted before he is taken away.
Elisha wants a double portion of Elijah's spirit and he is told it will happen if Elisha sees Elijah getting taken away, if not it won't happen.
As they were walking along a chariot of fire (The inspiration for the title of the film incidentally) came between Elijah and Elisha. Also the origin of the spiritual "Swing low sweet chariot" when a whirlwind carried Elijah off to heaven, leaving only his cloak.
Elisha, in mourning picked up Elijah's cloak and reaching the Jordan cried out "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" and struck the river with Elijah's cloak and it dried up again.
The prophets from Jericho recognise that God's spirit has transferred to Elisha and they make an offer to go and search for Elijah - in case God dropped him in a remote valley or on a mountain. Elisha said "Don't bother, he has gone"
They insisted until Elisha got embarrassed and let them go an look, without success, for 3 days.
Elisha could not resist a "I told you not to go" when they got back.
Elisha starts to work miracles now - there is a problem with the cities water supply.
Elisha threw salt into the spring saying "the LORD Says "I have healed this water, never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive"
The end of this chapter is fairly close to my head - I am a bit thin on top as was Elisha apparently.
He was walking along when some yobs started taunting him for his lack of noddle thatch.
Elisha looks at them, then curses them in the name of God.
2 bears came out of the wood at this and mauled 42 of the boys.
Elisha returned to Samaria by way of Mount Carmel.
Now I don't condone Elisha cursing a mob of extremely rude and unpleasant youths, Jesus said "Bless those who curse you, bless and do not curse" so I hope that I would not act as Elisha did here - HOWEVER I feel the moral is don't mock bald people - bad things can happen (Not that I would wish that!)
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