The Torch Is Passed

Introduction

I was a small child when John Kennedy was assassinated. I don’t remember much about that event. My parents had a book entitled “The Torch Is Passed.” It was about the Kennedy assassination and the events which quickly transpired in which Lyndon Johnson was sworn into office. One of the pictures in that book is still entrenched in my mind. You may have seen the same picture. It is a picture of Lyndon Johnson with his right hand raised and his left hand on a Bible. He is being sworn into office. He is aboard Air Force One, the presidential plane. His face reflects the somberness of the event which deems all of this necessary. Standing next to him is Jackie Kennedy. She, too, has a somber expression on her face. Only two hours before, she had held her husband’s lifeless body in her arms and lap. She has not changed clothes. As the oath is being given, Jackie stands there in the dress jacket and a skirt that bore reminders of that fateful day. It is a grim picture. Sometimes the passing of power does not bring joy.

Such is the case with the passing of authority from Elijah to Elisha. We have known since the end of 1 Kings 19 that God had chosen Elisha to be Elijah’s replacement. But here in 2 Kings 2 it finally happens. The torch is passed. Elijah’s work is finished. It is time for Elisha to become God’s prophetic voice. This chapter is here for two purposes. First, to show us that Elijah is taken into heaven without experiencing death. It is God’s final pronouncement of approval upon Elijah. Second, this chapter reveals God’s presence and work continuing through Elisha. In case there was any doubt about who Elisha was and what his role was to be, this chapter clarifies God’s intent. Our focus today is on God’s word and the power of that word when we listen and obey. May our hearts be open to God’s word today.

God’s Presence

It is the last day that Elijah will be on this earth. He knows it. God sends him on one last mission. He is to go to Bethel and to Jericho to say goodbye to prophets in these towns. Elijah tells Elisha to remain at Gilgal while he makes his final rounds, but Elisha is equally insistent to go with Elijah. From Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho—the distance is 15 miles—the same thing happens in each place. Prophets tell Elisha that today is Elijah’s final day on earth. Elisha doesn’t want to talk about it. Finally, they arrive at the Jordan River and Elijah strikes the Jordan with his cloak and they cross on dry ground.

Why all this walking? The walking is God’s final assignment for Elijah. This is his way of saying goodbye. Why this game between Elijah and Elisha? Elijah is testing Elisha’s resolve. Why doesn’t Elisha want to talk about what is going to happen? Elisha is distressed about losing his friend and mentor. Why cross the Jordan? It is a reminder of when Israel came into the promised land. Joshua and his troops crossed on dry land. It is one more sign of God’s presence with Elijah. Remember that the band of prophets from Jericho are watching this take place. They see Elijah and Elisha cross the Jordan by the power of God through Elijah. And after Elijah is taken up, they see Elisha by the power of God crossing over the Jordan on dry land. Such a demonstration assures the prophets that Elisha is now Elijah’s successor.

All of this together says something about the presence of God. Elisha refuses to leave Elijah because he knows this is the last day for Elijah on this earth. He wants to be there when his mentor is taken away. But he also realizes that in order to receive the blessing from God he must be near to God’s prophet. Elisha didn’t know when God was going to take Elijah; he just knew that he was, and he needed to be near to receive God’s blessing.

In our lives, we don’t always know what God is going to do. There may be times when it feels like we are traveling from one place to another without rhyme or reason. But following God means staying close to him so that we can receive his blessing. This is the idea of abiding in him as he abides in us. This is what Jesus said in John 15:5–7: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.” Remaining close to God brings blessings from God. Getting sidetracked means we lose the privilege of receiving God’s blessing. God is present with Elijah and he is present with Elisha. We must stay close to God to receive his blessing.

Respect for God’s Word

After Elijah’s removal from this earth, Elisha is given the mantle of leadership. The torch is passed. In full view of the prophets of Jericho, Elisha calls on God to part the Jordan River for him just as he had for Elijah. God does so. This is a demonstration that Elisha is Elijah’s rightful heir to God’s prophetic power. The prophets from Jericho want to go and search for Elijah. Elisha refuses. But they are persistent and he gives in. They, of course, do not find Elijah and Elisha’s response in verse 18 is “I told you so.”

Then there is a miracle in verses 19–22 in which Elisha is asked to make the water supply pure in Jericho. With a new bowl filled with salt, Elisha has it thrown into the well and the water becomes pure. Notice verse 22: “And the water has remained wholesome to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken.” Not what Elisha did, but according to the word he spoke.

In verses 23–25 there is another short little story about Elisha. As he goes to Bethel, some young men come out of the town and jeer at him. “Go on up, you baldhead!” This is a way of ridiculing Elisha. Notice verse 24. He calls down a curse on them and two bears come out of the woods and maul the boys. Understand that at this time Bethel was the center of pagan worship. God spoke about ridiculing his prophets in Deuteronomy 18 and Leviticus 24. This is not mere mockery, but those taunting God’s representative. The point in all three stories is the idea of respect for the word of God.

Elisha is God’s prophet. He speaks for God. In verse 18, he reminds the prophets of Jericho that they should have believed him when he spoke. In verse 22, the water is better because of the words Elisha spoke. In verse 24, he speaks a curse and the boys are mauled. The word of the Lord is spoken through Elisha and when Elisha speaks, all should listen. The parallel for us is to pay attention to the word of God. These three stories verify God’s word through Elisha. When God speaks, we are to listen. The prophets should have listened. The people in Jericho listened and their water supply was healed. The young men mocked rather than listening to Elisha and suffered consequences.

Sometimes we will do anything but listen to the word of God. When God says don’t gossip, why do we think we can choose not to listen and it be okay? When the word of God says to treat each other with kindness, why do we think we can choose not to listen and it be okay? When God says to trust him, why do we think that it’s okay for us to not listen?

What is amazing is that when we don’t listen to the word of God and then get mad when someone points us in that direction, or we get mad because we reap the consequences of not listening. God says not to be greedy. Why get mad when someone confronts you about your greed? God says to control your tongue. Why get mad when someone confronts you? Instead of listening, you act on your own will.

These young men refused to listen. So Elisha calls down a curse from God. Don’t get mad at God for protecting his man. Don’t think God is being unfair. Listen! Most of our problems come because we don’t listen to the word of God. If we aren’t going to listen, then take responsibility for your unwillingness to listen.

Are you listening to the word of God? Are you getting into the text on a regular basis? Do you respect the scriptures? Don’t say you believe the Bible, only to have your actions disprove that statement. Listen to the word of God.

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