2 Kings 2:4
And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
Elijah was sent by the Lord on to Jericho and told Elisha to remain behind, but Elisha solemnly pledged that he would not leave him, so the two went on to Jericho together. This was part of Elijah's final journey before he was taken to heaven, when he made a last visit to the schools of the prophets to repeat the most important lessons of their education. Elijah's urging Elisha to stay was a test of his faith, resolve and commitment, giving him opportunity to turn back, while Elisha's refusal to be turned aside came from his desire to learn all he could from Elijah before he was taken away. God was moving Elijah from place to place to keep him from settling at ease, to gain spiritual power and enduring character, and to extend his helpful influence to many, showing that change of place and circumstance can prevent stagnation and build character. Elijah's close training of Elisha on this journey is a pattern for experienced workers to train younger workers, and Elisha's steadfast loyalty is a pattern of unity and cooperation.
Elijah's Final Journey
This verse belongs to Elijah's final journey before he was taken to heaven, when at the Lord's direction he was sent on to Jericho and Elisha went with him. It was part of his last circuit to visit the schools of the prophets and give the students divine instruction before his ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire.
God was moving Elijah from place to place as He prepared him for translation, and the journey to Jericho illustrates that changing places can be part of God's leading and training. These changes kept him from settling at ease and from settling into familiar methods and customs. They helped him gain spiritual power, moral greatness and spiritual soundness, and enduring character. God intended his influence to help many people grow spiritually, and He may still change a person's circumstances and position to prevent spiritual stagnation, unsettle old habits, build character, and make that influence a help to others.
This journey was Elijah's last earthly work, in which he instructed the students and repeated to them the lessons on the most important points of their education. He taught that simplicity should mark every part of their training so they could receive heaven's mold and shaping and serve in the Lord's work and ways. The verse stands in a dark and troubled time when idolatry and wickedness prevailed under Ahab and Jezebel. Then Elijah served as a preacher of righteousness guided by the Holy Spirit, and God sent His prophets to warn the nation and oppose its wickedness.
Jericho held a school of the prophets in Elijah's time, as did Bethel. Two schools were added in Elijah's time, at Jericho and Bethel, joining the two from Samuel's day at Ramah and Kirjath-jearim, with others afterward established at Samaria and Gilgal, showing that communities of prophets continued after the schools were established. These schools were places where the Spirit of God came upon the students and they prophesied. They stand as a precedent for teachers and students joining physical work with instruction.
Elisha's Tested Loyalty
Elijah was testing Elisha’s faith, resolve and commitment when he urged him to stay at Jericho while he himself went on with the Lord’s errand. The invitation to remain behind gave Elisha an opportunity to turn back. It was one of repeated opportunities to turn back given as he accompanied Elijah before Elijah’s translation.
Elisha answered with a solemn pledge that as the Lord lives he would not leave Elijah. He firmly refused to leave his master and remained beside him to the end. He was determined to see the outcome, so they went together to Jericho.
His loyalty and persistence came from his desire to learn all he could from Elijah before Elijah was taken away. He stayed with him to receive further preparation for service and to show readiness to learn. That persistence showed he would not be turned aside from the work to which he had committed himself.
He had left a wealthy, beloved home and the plow to follow the prophet. He willingly performed humble service, including pouring water on Elijah’s hands. His steadfast service and reliance on God through trials showed enduring character and prepared him to serve God. Faithfulness in small duties is essential preparation for greater responsibility.
His persistence represents following with God’s people through trials and pressing on with them. Those who do so will witness the heavenly strengthening of the third angel’s message and receive the latter rain.
Training for Future Service
Elijah's close companionship with Elisha on the way to Jericho was itself training, keeping the younger man beside him in service and travel to prepare him for the work ahead. That preparation is the pattern for experienced ministers now, who are to give younger workers opportunity to learn by working with them and to show them how to teach the truth to others. As Elijah educated the youth of Israel in the schools of the prophets, so young men today are to receive similar training from experienced workers.
This journey to Jericho was part of Elijah's final visiting of the schools of the prophets before he was taken to heaven. On those visits he repeated to the students the lessons on the most important points of their education. He taught that simplicity should mark every part of their training, so that they could receive heaven's mold and shaping and thus serve in the Lord's work and ways.
Elisha's refusal to leave Elijah on the road to Jericho stands as steadfast commitment and loyalty in service. That loyalty is the pattern for unity now, in accord with the call to draw together and cooperate.