THE KING’S BUSINESS
901
* Elijah Taken Up Into Heaven OCTOBER 10, 1915. LESSON II. 2 Kings *2:1-12 (Commit vs. 11, 12a). G olden T ext : “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”—Ps. 16:11. DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Mon., Oct, 4—2 Kings 2:1-12. Tues., Oct, 5—2 Kings 2:13-22. Wed., Oct. 6—Hebrews 11 :l-6. Thurs., Oct. 7—2 Tim. 4:1-8.
Fri., ;Oct. 8—Deut. 34:1-9. Sat., Oct. 9—Luke 12:32-40. Sun., Oct. 10—Matt. 17:1-12. EXPOSITION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
to have Elisha go frith him that he might receive the equipment that woulfl fit him for taking his own place. Every time that Elisha said, in answer to Elijah’s bidding to tarry, “I will not leave thee,” Elijah gave way most gracefully: he was glad to have him go on with him. v. 3. "And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head today? And'he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.” The fifty sons of the prophet (theological students) knew some thing of what was to happen, but they did not follow on to see it with their own eyes as Elisha did: on the contrary, they “stood to view afar off” (vs. ,5-7). That is the way with many in the church today ; they are interested, greatly interested, but they do mjt press on, ‘do not keep close up to the Master in , His ascension, and they do not get the fulness of the blessing as the Elishas do. v. 6. “And they itwo went on.” Yes, “they two went on,” and "they two” were blessed; Elijah being taken up to glory, and Elisha being filled with the Holy Spirit. The sons of the prophets at Bethel do not seem to have exhibited as much determined interest as those at Jericho. v. 7. “And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off; and they two stood by Jordan.” The last difficulty now confronts Elijah and Elisha, and it is a great one: Jordan’s waters, swift and broad, roll before them, but Eli-
vs. 1-2. “And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal; and Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel." The Lord led Elijah on step by step toward his translation. As in the first lesson we had about Elijah, so here also we see God guiding and Elijah obeying each word of the Lord as it came. That is th£ great secret of the blessed life, listening every moment for God’s voice, and always obeying His first whisper. "And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as they soul liveth, I will not leave thee." We do well to note Elisha’s actions as well as those of Elijah. Elisha held tenaciously to the master he loved, to the very end. Again and again Elijah said to him, “Tarry here I pray thee,” and just as often Elisha replied ,“As the LORD liv eth and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” We usually think of Elijah as a stern, rugged man, but there must have been also something very attractive about him to have won such devotion from Elisha. In the same way we should cleave to our Mas ter to the end. If Elisha had given up the weary journey before its end he would never have been a man of power. If we follow our Master wherever He leads the way, a still richer reward than Elisha re ceived awaits us (John 12:26). Elijah on his part might very naturally have been jealous of the voung man who was raised up to take his place (1 Kings 19:16), but there was no such feeling. He was glad
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online