2 Kings 2:6, commentary and pictures

Elijah tells Elisha to stay behind while the Lord sends him on to the Jordan, but Elisha binds himself by oath not to leave him, and the two go on together as the repeated chances to turn back test his faith and allegiance. This going on to the Jordan belongs to Elijah's last journey before his translation to heaven, leading to Elisha's request for a double portion of his spirit to fill his place and to Elijah's being taken up in a whirlwind. Elisha clings to his master in faithful humility to learn all he can before he is taken away, and by persisting through the whole journey he is further prepared for service and made able to witness the departure and receive the prophetic mantle. God is moving Elijah from place to place so that he will not settle into ease and familiar ways, breaking up settled habits to gain spiritual power and grow in moral greatness, that his life may widen the experience of many and teach workers to depend on God as companion and guide through continual changes. In Elijah's letting Elisha choose to remain and in Elisha's refusal to leave is seen the training of younger workers through faithful companionship with experienced ministers, and the steadfastness of those who stay with God's people through trial until they witness the strengthening of the last message and receive the latter rain.

Journey to Jordan

The verse stands in Elijah's final journey before his translation to heaven, with the going to the Jordan as one stage on that closing way. What follows is Elisha's request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, made so he could fill the place to which God had called him. That request is answered when Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind.

This last work on earth was a visitation of the schools of the prophets in Israel to give them divine instruction. Elijah went from school to school repeating important lessons he had given before. The burden was that simplicity should shape education, so that students would be molded by heaven and fitted to serve in the ways of the Lord. The journey to the Jordan belonged to this farewell round of teaching, accomplished just before he ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire to the heavenly courts.

The time was dark and troubled, marked by idolatry and widespread wickedness. Into it Elijah was chosen as a preacher of righteousness. He did his work under God's direction, guided by the Holy Spirit.

God was moving Elijah from place to place so he would not settle into ease nor into familiar methods and customs. The continual change broke up settled habits and kept him gaining spiritual power. By it he grew in moral greatness and spiritual soundness in preparation for translation. His life thus prepared and his influence were meant to help many gain a wider and more helpful, fuller spiritual experience. So the journey shows God as companion and guide leading workers through continual changes of place and circumstance to shape character and strengthen dependence on Him.

Elisha's Steadfast Loyalty

Elijah told Elisha to remain behind at that stage, declaring that the Lord had sent him on to the Jordan, but Elisha refused to leave him. He bound his refusal with a solemn pledge by the life of the Lord and by the life of Elijah that he would not leave him, and the two went on together. The urging to stay behind was not given once only but as repeated opportunities to turn back. Those repeated invitations tested his faith, his resolve, and his allegiance as he stood ready to succeed Elijah. His refusal to remain behind and his continuing with Elijah to the Jordan carried into his new duty as successor what guiding the plow had already taught him.

That earlier labor had trained him not to fail, not to give up, and not to be discouraged, and that same steadfastness now marked his following of his master. He stayed close to his master because he wanted to learn all he could before Elijah was taken away. Such persistence expressed faithfulness, humility, and willingness to serve. His faithful attendance, begun in humble service and continued through the whole of their travels, revealed character tested by trial and reliance on God. That close continuance gave him further preparation for service before Elijah's translation.

He remained faithfully beside Elijah even though he knew the Lord was about to take Elijah away, determined that he would not abandon his master. Elijah's request that he stay behind tested that resolve, and his answer held firm that they should continue together to the Jordan. His persistence carried him through the whole final journey at his master's side. By so enduring to the end he was present to witness Elijah's departure. That presence opened the way for him to receive the prophetic mantle.

Training Future Workers

Elijah's telling Elisha he may remain behind as he goes on to the Jordan, met by Elisha's firm refusal to leave him, is the pattern of an experienced worker giving a younger worker opportunity to learn through faithful companionship and service. The setting shows the training of younger workers by more experienced ministers, with Elijah's ministry giving Elisha opportunity to learn how to serve and teach others. In this the older worker does not hold the work to himself but educates the younger for usefulness alongside him.

That educating work teaches that experienced workers are to prepare younger men and women to carry God's work forward rather than bearing every burden themselves. Provision is thus made for succession, so that when the elder is removed the younger is fitted to take up the charge.

Elisha's determination to follow on and see what would happen is also the steadfastness of those who remain with God's people, share their trials, and press on with them. Such will witness the mighty angel descend from heaven to strengthen the third angel's message. Such will receive the latter rain.