2 Kings 2:1
And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
The verse opens the last journey of Elijah with Elisha from Gilgal, when the Lord was about to take Elijah to heaven by a whirlwind, honoring him at the close of his earthly work. On the way they visited the schools of the prophets to give the students divine instruction and repeat the lessons they most needed. Elisha had left the plow to serve Elijah in humble duties, and by staying with him to the parting he was prepared to succeed him and seek the Spirit for the work in Israel. Their going together shows experienced workers are to educate younger workers by giving them opportunity to learn beside them how to carry on the work and teach the truth.
Setting and Final Journey
The verse belongs to the time of Elijah and Elisha, when wickedness and idolatry under Ahab and Jezebel had made the condition of the nation dark and troubled. God sent prophets to warn the people, and chose Elijah as a preacher of righteousness, guided by the Holy Spirit, to do God's work. It opens the final journey of Elijah and Elisha together from Gilgal, when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind. His translation in a whirlwind and in a chariot of fire honored him and marked the close of his earthly work.
On this final journey Elijah traveled with Elisha to visit the schools of the prophets in Israel and give the students divine instruction before he was taken up. As his departure for heaven drew near he repeated important lessons to the students in those schools. That visiting and repeating gave a pattern of putting a heavenly mold upon youth who are fitting for another world.
As Elijah was being prepared for translation, God led him from place to place rather than allowing him to settle into ease. These movings disrupted familiar methods and customs so he would not become stagnant but would leave them behind. By them he gained spiritual power and grew in moral greatness and spiritual soundness. His influence was meant to help many people gain a wider, more helpful and fuller spiritual experience with God.
Training and Succession
Elisha had left his home and the work of the plough to follow Elijah, and he began by serving him in humble duties, even pouring water on his hands. His faithful service through trials prepared him for greater responsibility, for humble work is essential training in serving God. He served and learned under Elijah and stayed with him in order to learn all he could before they parted. He was thus prepared to succeed him as prophet, and Elijah's approaching translation marked the time for Elisha to come forward. He sought the Spirit that had been given to Elijah so that he could fulfill the work God had called him to do in Israel.
The companionship of Elijah and Elisha at the opening of the account shows experienced workers educating and preparing younger people to carry on the work. The experienced worker is to give the younger worker opportunity to learn from him, including how to teach the truth to others. Experienced ministers in particular should train younger workers in this same way. On this final journey Elijah visited the schools of the prophets and repeated important lessons to the students. Before he was taken up he stressed that simplicity should shape every part of their education.
That simplicity in education would prepare them to receive heaven's influence and heaven's character and to serve in the Lord's work and ways. Before being taken to heaven he visited all the schools of the prophets in Israel to give the students divine instruction, and then ascended to the heavenly courts in a chariot of fire. This gives a pattern of teachers putting a heavenly mold upon youth who are fitting for another world. The schools of the prophets thus provide a model for schools in the closing days of the message.