2 Kings 2:1-12 (Transfiguration B)

¹This is what happened when YHWH took Elijah in the whirlwind up to heaven.

Elijah and Elisha left Gilgal.  ²Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, because YHWH has sent me to Bethel.

But Elisha said, “As YHWH lives, and as you live yourself, I will not leave you.”

So they went to Bethel.

³Now the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel went out to Elisha and said to him, “Don’t you know that YHWH is taking your master from above you today?”

He said, “Yes, I do know that.  Be quiet!”

⁴Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, because YHWH has sent me to Jericho.”

But he replied, “As YHWH lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

So they went to Jericho.

⁵The sons of the prophets who were in Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “Don’t you know that YHWH is taking your master from above you today?”

And he said, “Yes, I do know that.  Be quiet!”

⁶Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, because YHWH has sent me to the Jordan.”

But he said, “As YHWH lives and as you live yourself, I will not leave you!”

So they went on together.

⁷Fifty men from the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance from them, and the two of them stood by the Jordan.

⁸Then Elijah took his cloak, folded it, and struck the water, so that the river was split in two, and the two of them crossed on dry ground.

⁹And as they were crossing, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what you want me to do for you before I’m taken away from you.”

Elisha answered, “I’d like the double portion of the Spirit that is on you.”

¹⁰He said, “That’s a difficult request!  If you see me when I’m taken from you, it will happen.  If not, it won’t.”

¹¹So as they were walking along and talking, a fiery chariots and fiery horses came a separated them, and took Elijah up in the whirlwind to heaven.

¹²Elisha was watching and he shouted, “My father!  My father!  The chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”  And he never saw Elijah again.  He grabbed his clothing and tore it in two.

The word “whirlwind” is the same word used for the storm that brings the presence of God in Ezekiel’s vision, Ezekiel 1.  In that vision, Ezekiel is reassured of God’s activity even in Babylon.  Here the storm shows God in action.  See my essay Ezekiel 1:  A Glimpse of the Glory of Yahweh.

Note that they are descending toward the Jordan River.  I’ve chosen not to translate “descend” specifically, because I’m not sure that the fact of descent is a substantial part of the story.

Please – the Hebrew text gives a sense of urging which is probably more forceful that a polite “please” but less so than a direct order.

I read Elisha’s refusal as much more forceful than Elijah’s request or command.

I find it interesting that many Christians, particularly in charismatic and pentecostal communities seek information as though it will tell them what to do.  Here the prophets offer information, but Elisha refuses it. He already knows what he is supposed to do!

 From above you – reflects the Hebrew idiom.  I think it is probably adequately reflected in the word “master.”  Not only is Elijah losing a friend and a colleague, if he even would have thought in such terms, but his leader, his reason for existence and ministry.

 50 men stand apart and see a miracle; only Elisha goes and becomes part of the miracle.

 This event reflects in some of its language both he crossing of the Jordan into the promised land and the parting of the Sea of Reeds.  This is God’s indication of how thoroughly his power works in Elijah.  This is a significant point when Elisha asks for the heir’s double portion.

 I’m not sure how significant it is that this starts while they were crossing.  Until today, I had always pictured the scene with the fiery chariot(s) on the other side of the Jordan.  It may be that the whole thing occurs during the crossing.

The heir’s portion.  Some think Elisha is asking to be twice as powerful as Elijah.  Rather, he is asking to be the heir to Elijah’s power and call.

It’s a difficult request, and I think the specific difficulty is that it requires something of Elisha–he must be present and be aware of God’s presence when God acts.

You’d think this would be impossible to miss, but apparently here, as elsewhere, God’s presence is missed by some and seen by others.  Elisha doesn’t miss it, and becomes heir.

I use “to heaven” even though one could translate “into the sky” because there is an extended sense that one is going away from the place where people live and to the place where the gods live.

Even though he knows it’s coming, and knows it is what must happen, he still grieves for the departure of teacher, master, and friend.