650
T H E
K I N G ’ S
B U S I N E S S
October 1924
OCTOBER 19, 1924 (Lesson 55) TRANSLATION OF ELIJAH AND CALL OF ELISHA 2 Kings, Chapters 1 and 2 Golden Text: “ But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1 : 8 . OUTLINE (1) The Proof of God’s Presence in Israel, Ch. 1. (4) Pleading for the Blessing, vs. 9, 10. (5) The Prophet’s Portion, vs. 11-13. (6) The Power of Faith Exemplified, vs. 14-22. LESSON (1) THE PROOF OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN ISRAEL, Ch. 1 “ So he died, according to the word of the Lord,” v. 17. Ahab is dead. Ahaziah, his son, reigns in his stead. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. He served Baal, worshipped him, and provoked the anger of God. He had a fall, was bedridden and turned to Baal- sebub, the god of Ekron, for relief. The angel of the Lord gave a message to Elijah, “ Meet the messengers to Baal and tell them that Ahaziah shall die on his bed.” The king determined to put Elijah to death and sent a band of fifty men, with their captain, for that purpose. Elijah brought fire from heaven and slew them. This was repeated with fifty other men, and the third fifty escorted Elijah to give the death message to the king. God attested the message of His messenger with proof from heaven and the sentence of death was passed upon Ahaziah. It is a short story, with a serious moral. Baal worship was, (and is) a burlesque and means eternal death. Jehovah worship is just and is justified by the results. (2) THE PARTING WALK, 2:1-7 “ Elijah went with Elisha to Gilgal” v. 1. For several years there is no mention of Elijah with two exceptions,— his judgment upon the two fifties that were sent by Ahaziah, king of Israel, to capture him (2 Kings 1 ); and the written message sent to Jehoram, king of Judah, (2 Chron. 21:15). On Elijah’s way back from Horeb he had, according to the command of God, cast his mantle upon Elisha, the son of Shaphat, of Abel-Meholah (1 Ki. 19:16); and from that day Elisha had been his faithful servant and friend, min istering to him and receiving instruction for his office as a prophet, (1 Ki. 19:19-21). However stern Elijah may have been as a prophet, he had won the heart of Elisha, the gentle-hearted. Elisha knew, as did the sons of the prophets, that Elijah was to be taken away, and he is determined to go with him to the brink of the eternal sea. The mantle of Elijah meant identification, and he was one with him from that time. The walk commenced at Gilgal, the land where the manna ceased and they ate of the old corn of the land, (Josh. 5:9- 12). It was at Gilgal that Israel was cleansed from all remembrance of Egypt, and where the people were set apart for God. Here the camp was set, fixed for Joshua’s victorious warfare. It was a fitting starting place, And (2) The Parting Walk, 2:1-7. (3) The Passing of Jordan, v. 8. EXPOSITION T. C. Horton
Elisha, with fixed purpose to follow on, was saying as did Ruth, “ Entreat me not to leave thee. * * * Thy God shall be my God.” The sons of the prophets testify to the fact that Elijah is to be taken away (v. 5) but Elisha does not heed them: “ Hold your peace.” Trials only increase his deep purpose. He will cleave to his master while his master lives. So the two prophets turn their backs upon Jericho. Elijah is not now walking in the weakness of the flesh as when he went to Horeb, but in the power of God. (3) THE PASSING OF JORDAN v. 8, “ They two went over on dry ground.” The two men press on. We are reminded of the two on their way to Emmaus,—what fellowship, what communion, what burning hearts! They come to the brink of Jordan (death, judgment). It is the Valley of the Shadow. There is no bridge, no ford, but it must be crossed. Will the Unseen One who has walked with them, open the way? There is no ark now (Josh. 3:15-17) but there is faith. Elijah had his mantle as Moses had his rod (Ex. 4:21, 22). It was a sign of office. He rolls it up and strikes the water. He puts his foot in b y faith, and, step by step, they cross. By faith, Elisha followed where Elijah led. As one foot was taken out, another was put in, a step at a time. Contrast this with the way in which God parted the waters in Josh. 3:17. All power is given to Jesus. He divides all waters. He crumbles all mountains. We may safely follow Him wher ever He leads. (4) PLEADING FOR THE BLESSING, vs. 9, 10. “ Ask what I shall do for thee.” v.9. Jordan is passed. The borders of Israel are forsaken. The land of The Law is left behind. It is no longer “ Tarry here,” but “What shall I do for you?” Until Jordan is passed Elisha is on probation. Now he quietly asks for a great gift, a double portion, (Deut. 21: 17). “Bnt he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the first horn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath; for he Is the beginning of his strength; the right of the first born is his.” Elisha coveted the best gift, (1 Cor. 12:31). Jesus has promised, (John 14:14). “If ye shall ask any thing; in my name, I will do it.” Elisha asked a hard tiling,^ not hard for God to bestow, but hard for Elisha to receive. The life of Elijah had been such a hard, pilgrim life (yet blessed): how could Elisha want to share it? Only faith could want the pilgrim’s portion. Elijah puts the final test, “ If thou see me.” They go on their way. Nothing could distract Elisha’s attention. His eyes were riveted on Elijah. Suddenly, there comes a mighty gust of wind, and in a moment, “ the twinkling of an eye,” Elijah is parted from him, but Elisha sees him. He cries in the fulness of. his faith, “ My father!” Elijah had been a man of fire, in deeds and words. Fire is a type of judgment. Elijah was a prophet of judgment. His translation was a fitting termination to an eventful life. How God loved him! Only three translations are recorded in Scripture,—Enoch, Elijah, Christ. Enoch prophesied of the coming of the Lord. Moses and Elijah, on the Mount of Transfiguration, are a type of the sleeping and waking saints, (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Elijah is to come again before the day of the Lord, (Mai. 4:5). (5) THE PROPHET’S PORTION, vs. 11-13. “ He took up also the mantle of Elijah.” v. 13. Elijah’s mantle drops and Elisha takes it up. The man tle is a symbol of the man,— his character, spirit. The spirit of Elijah has fallen on Elisha. He is to be God’s repre-
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