Elijah Series #11 (Final)
[Other Messages in this
Series]
The Last Mile of the Way
II Kings 2:1-18
By Dave Redick
Hwy 20 Church of Christ
"My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!"
Introduction
If I walk in the pathway of duty,
If I work till the close of the day,
I shall see the Great King in his beauty
When I've gone the last mile of the way.
If for Christ I proclaim the glad story,
If I seek for His sheep gone astray,
I am sure He will show me His glory
When I've gone the last mile of the way.
Here the dearest of ties we must sever,
Tears of sorrow are seen everyday,
But no sickness, no sighing, forever
When I've gone the last mile of the way.And if here I have earnestly striven,
And have tried all His will to obey,
'Twill enhance all the rapture of Heaven
When I've gone the last mile of the way.These words of W.E. Mark's hymn remind us of a truth we dare not forget: The joys of Heaven, the hope of no more sorrow, no more pain, no more parting, the hope of seeing God - all of these are dependent upon our finishing the course we have started. We must run the race to completion and go the last mile of the way.
This morning I would like to consider the account of the last mile of the way in the life of God's prophet Elijah. In his story we can glimpse the last mile of the way in our own lives and perhaps be better prepared.
(Turn to II Kings 2)
The time for Elijah's last trek has come. His remarkable career has taken him back and forth across the length and breadth of Palestine confronting kings, calling for droughts, working miracles, and facing the forces of evil head on. From as far north as Damascus to as far south as Mt. Sinai, Elijah has followed the leading of God - from the deserts east of the Jordan to the heights of Carmel overlooking the blue Mediterranean Sea to the west.
Like a fierce Sirocco wind that sweeps across the desert, Elijah has swept across the lives of the people living in his troubled times - a stubborn counterbalance to the decadence of his generation.
Now his work is finished. No, much evil is still fills the land, but it is time for the work to be passed on to the next generation of prophets. God has told him to prepare to leave. For him there will be no more Ahabs, no more Jezebels, no more Obediahs, and no more Ahazias. A few last visits with those only friends and comrades he knows in this life - the sons of the prophets - some brief farewells, a last crossing of the Jordan and after that - well, after that, who knows will happen? No one in his day had gone from this life and come back to tell. All he really knew was he was somehow headed "home."
(v. 1)
Elijah and Elisha, his young protege¢ , like a man and his shadow, have been together for ten years. Wherever Elijah goes, Elisha follows, learning, experiencing, and soaking in that spiritual instruction from his mentor that would prove priceless in his life's calling. So close was the bond they forged over that period that Elijah was like a father, Elisha like a son.
This particular morning as they left Gilgal would be like no other. It would be their last walk together. Perhaps wishing to spare Elisha some grief in parting, Elijah encourages the young man to stay behind.
(v. 2)
I need to tell you at this point that Elisha also knew this would be their last day together. God had somehow revealed it to him, as we shall see in verse 3, so he wasn't about to be left behind. He would stay faithfully at Elijah's side until the last possible moment.
Isn't that where we want to be when our loved ones are in their final hours? Relatives fly in from all over the country. So Elisha decides he will go with Elijah until he can follow no further
Together they set off, stopping first at Bethel. Jacob, hundreds of years before, had named Bethel after he had a dream in which he saw a ladder with angels descending and ascending into heaven. God had given Jacob the covenant of Abraham there and in honor of that incident Jacob named the place Beth-El, "The House of God." But those were the better days in Bethel's history. Since that time Bethel had become a nerve center for idol worship in Israel. It was one of two places where Jeroboam had set up a golden calf for the people to worship so that they would not return to Jerusalem to the temple. Later, before Israel fell, Hosea would in derision, rename the place "Bethaven" or "The House of Idols."
Elijah and Elisha arrived in Bethel this particular morning to do only one thing - seek out the sons of the prophets who were stationed there. The "sons of the prophets" were the young prophets-in-training that Elijah and Elisha presided over. These "schools', in several parts of Israel perhaps in some ways resembled our modern seminaries or Bible colleges. It would be a great boost for these young men to see and hear Elijah - a man who had become a legend in his time - before he departed.
We need to stop there and notice the way in which this man Elijah, whom James says had a nature like ours, is facing the last day of his earthly life. Though he was not actually to die, but rather would be translated, there are nonetheless, some helpful things to see.
Notice first his apparent preparedness for this event. You don't see him grieving for himself. There is no clinging to earthly possessions. He doesn't appear to be afraid, and there isn't a trace of unwillingness in the account. Elijah is ready.
Sometimes the way a person leaves this life tells us as much about him or her as the way he lived. John Knox, on his deathbed in Scotland said, "Oh serve the Lord in fear and death will not be terrible to you."
The biography of a popular preacher of the nineteenth century tells of his last few hours before departing from this life. He had been dozing fitfully when he suddenly awakened. Raising his head from the pillow, he said, "Earth recedes. Heaven is opening before me. If this is death it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me. I must go." His son was standing by his bed and said, "No, No, father you're dreaming."
"No," said the old man. "I'm not dreaming. I've been within the gates. I have seen the children's faces."
A short time elapsed and then after what seemed to be the death struggle, he spoke again:
"This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! It is glorious!"
Tryon Edwards said, "Death has nothing terrible which life has not made so."
The way we live often determines the way we die.
Elijah is ready to leave this world. Like Paul he can say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that day."
When a person is prepared himself, he can look to the needs of others, even in his final hours. That is what we find Elijah doing. Look at his concern for those he would leave behind. First, he offers to spare Elisha some grief by leaving him among those who could comfort him and support him:
(v. 3-4)
Preparations for the welfare of those we will leave behind when we depart from this world are a concern that ought to be a part of every child of God. Paul taught us in Phil. 2:4,
"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Certainly that would include preparations for departure from this world. How well would your family or others who depend upon you carry on without you? What preparations could you make now to ease the loss and burden?
Some years ago I read an account of the restoration movement in America, the nineteenth century effort to restore New Testament Christianity. One of the leaders of that movement was Alexander Campbell. Campbell lost his wife in sickness. As she neared her death, she asked him not to grieve long and to seek to remarry as soon as he could. She also suggested someone he might consider for marriage if it pleased him, suggesting a woman she knew would be a godly mother to her children. Several years after his wife's death, Campbell married the woman she had suggested.
I'm not telling that you ought to arrange the remarriage of your spouse from your deathbed. I am saying that godly people can and should be concerned for those they leave behind. I think it is worthy of emphasis because so few think long about their death and so few prepare for it. How would your family be supported if you died? What would they do for an income? Is there something you can do about that possibility now?
Elijah, in concern for those he would leave behind, spends his last hours visiting the young prophets, encouraging them.
(v. 5-6)
They've visited the sons of the prophets at Bethel. They've visited them at Jerico. The work is nearly done. Elijah heads for the Jordan.
(v. 7)
These young men sensed that something was about to happen and they went as far as they dared, straining to watch Elijah and Elisha in the distance.
(v. 8)
This miracle was done apparently in sight of the group of prophets. That will be important to know as we read the next few verses.
We've spoken of Elijah and his preparation in facing his departure, but we have said little about Elisha. His handling of this final farewell should be noted too. So far he has stuck to his master's side faithfully without wavering. Three times be has had opportunity to stay behind where it might be easier for him. Each time he has said, "As the Lord lives, I will not leave you."
That must have been a great comfort to Elijah. A real friend is one who is there when you need him most. He doesn't shrink from helping even when it isn't convenient or when it costs. It is always easier to face tough or uncertain times when you know you have friends who care. Elijah had Elisha. Elijah longed to do something special for his friend as a final gesture of appreciation, so as he stepped out on the opposite bank of the Jordan he turned to E1isha with what turned out to be some of his last words.
(Read v. 9)
I can't help but be reminded of young Solomon before he became king over Israel. God asked him what special blessing he would like to have as be took the throne. Solomon could have asked for riches or fame. Instead he asked simply that he be given wisdom to do the job of running the kingdom. God gave it to him.
Elisha is doing something similar here. Perhaps he could have asked for some material blessing or some special miracle. Perhaps he could even have asked for E1ijah's mantle. Instead he said, "Just let my prophetic ministry be blessed with a double portion of your spirit, Elijah. That will be enough."
Elisha had a heart for God. He desired more than anything to have the effectiveness he needed to serve God.
Was Elisha presumptuous in asking for spiritual advancement from Elijah or wanting it? I don't believe so. Paul said to the Christians in a day when the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit were still a part of the church, "Earnestly desire the greater gifts." The miraculous nature of the gifts are gone, but God still gives gifts and they are still needed. It wasn't wrong then so we can assume it isn't wrong now.
In I Corinthians 14 he defined the "greater gifts" as the ones that edify or "build up" the church.
Is it wrong to desire spiritual advancement? Not if your motives are right. If, more than anything else, your desire is to edify your brethren and glorify God, then you are not in the least way wrong to desire advancement. However, if your desire for spiritual advancement springs from selfish motives, to be seen and exalted by men, it is wrong.
Paul counseled those who wanted the spiritual gifts in the early church, "So also, you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church."
Jesus, speaking of our desire to shine as lights before men, said, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.
With these motives in our hearts we can freely desire true spiritual advancement, perhaps even asking for it, always remembering that only God can grant it.
(v. 10)
"You've asked for something I cannot give to you, Elisha. Only God can give it. And you'll know His answer if you see me leave. That will be your sign."
Only God can give real spiritual advancement. That's true in our day as well. I Corinthians 12:11 says, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each on individually as He wills."
If you are faithful in the things God has trusted you with thus far, you are in the best possible position should God decide to move you up to something greater. I remind you though that He is the one who providentially will bring it about if it is to happen.
Elisha must wait and see what will happen. On this day he did not have to wait long.
(v. 11-12a)
He's crying out over the loud noise of the wind one last word to his mentor: "I saw them! I saw them!"
(Read. v. 12b)
Apparently Elisha was gripped momentarily, as we are, with the pain of parting. Tearing the clothing was an expression of severe grief among the Jews. Elisha, knowing he would see Elijah no more in this life, was washed over for a short time with sorrow at the loss. Yet it was not like the grief of those who do not know God and who grieve without hope. Elisha knew what every Christian knows today, that for the saved, the separation is only temporary.
Elisha looked, probably through his tears, and there on the ground was Elijah's mantle, the symbol of his prophetic ministry. It had fallen both physically and symbolically to Elisha.
(v. 13)
Then perhaps either needing some additional assurance of God's choosing him, or for the benefit of the young men back on the other side of the Jordan, who had not seen the chariots and the horses, Elisha put his new mantle into action.
(v. 14)
Elisha would now become the major force speaking for Jehovah in Israel in his day. He would be Elijah's successor. Now there was group of very excited men waiting to receive him. The other prophets hadn't seen Elijah go so they had some things to say.
(v. 15-16)
They were going to go search for Elijah's body, thinking perhaps to find it and bury it. They didn't realize there would be no body. Elijah had not died. He had been translated, the first man since Enoch and apparently the last before the trumpet blast at the end the Christian age. Paul writes of that final generation of Christians that will be taken up off the earth,
"Behold, I tell you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of' an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."
There would be no body for these men to find, but they insisted on searching. Finally, Elisha says, "O.K Go ahead."
(v. 17-18)
Thus the curtain falls on the life of a man who would have no spiritual equal until the coming of John the Baptist 600 years into the future. His life and name would be remembered even through the darkest days of Israel's captivity and would still be familiar to Israelites in the time of Christ.
Two men figure into Israel's history as probably her greatest heroes: Moses and Elijah. Moses was the lawgiver and Elijah the law restorer. It is no coincidence that when we read of the transfiguration in the New Testament, we read of Moses and Elijah present with Jesus when the Father's voice speaks from Heaven saying, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"
Jesus is the Lawgiver under the New Covenant and He has called his people to restore His law to the minds and hearts of people in each generation. Today He needs men and women who will have courage like Elijah and stand up and do right. He needs men and women who will echo Elijah's words in their places of influence: "How long will you limp between two opinions? If Jehovah is God, follow Him!"
Conclusion
An elderly man was playing an organ in a cathedral in Europe. The music he played on this particular day was very sad. It was sad because this was his last day as organist of the cathedral. A younger musician was replacing him.
At dusk, somebody stepped into the cathedral. Seeing the younger man, the organist stopped playing, locked the organ and slipped the key into his pocket. The young man approached and said simply, "Please, the key."
On receiving the key, the young musician went to the organ and began to play.
While the old man had played beautifully and skillfully, the young man played with sheer genius. Music such as the world had never heard came rolling out of that old organ. This was the world's introduction to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Through it he blessed the world.
As I stand here bringing you these sermons Sunday after Sunday, I want you to know that God has approached the door of your heart and said, "Please, the key." You can give it to Him and He will bless you life the likes of which you have never known or you can keep it in your pocket and He will turn away from you.
The choice is yours.
Dave Redick is Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon and Editor of The Preacher's Study. He may be reached at pstudysupport@comcast.net.
Copyright © 1996-2008 by The Preacher's Study. Permission is granted to subscribers to use this document in total or in sermon preparation in the context of the local congregation only. Publishing it in a book, on the Internet, or anyplace beyond the local congregation is prohibited.
All Scripture quotations and references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise stated.
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