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Lives of Great Men
43
God’s messenger.
As time passed, and Elijah was prepared for translation, so Elisha
was prepared to become his successor. And again his faith and
commitment were tested. As he accompanied Elijah in his round
of service at each place, he was invited by the prophet to turn back.
But in his early labor of guiding the plow, Elisha had learned not
to fail or become discouraged, and now that he had set his hand to
the plow in another line of duty, he would not be diverted from his
purpose.
“The two of them stood by the Jordan. Now Elijah took his
mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this
way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha,
‘Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?’
And Elisha said, ‘Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon
me.’ So he said, ‘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.’ Then it happened, as they continued on and
talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire,
and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind
into heaven.
“Now Elisha saw it, and he cried out, ‘My father, my father, the
chariot of Israel and its horsemen!’ So he saw him no more. And
he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He
also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went
back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle
of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said,
‘Where is the Lord God of Elijah?’ And when he also had struck the
water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.
“Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw
him, they said, ‘The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.’ And they came
to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him.”
2 Kings 2:6-15
.
Henceforth Elisha stood in Elijah’s place. And he who had been
faithful in that which was least, proved himself faithful also in much.
Elijah, the man of power, had been God’s instrument for the
overthrow of gigantic evils. The idolatry that had seduced the nation
had been cast down. Baal’s prophets had been slain. The whole
people of Israel had been deeply stirred, and many were returning