2 Kings 2:8, commentary and pictures

Elijah folded his mantle together and struck the Jordan with it, and the waters divided to either side so that he and Elisha passed over on dry ground. This took place on their last journey together just before Elijah was taken to heaven, opening the way for his final conversation in which Elisha sought the Spirit to take up his calling. It came during Elijah's final visit to the schools of the prophets, when he repeated essential lessons and gave divine instruction to prepare the students to follow God's ways in simplicity. The moving from place to place kept Elijah from settling into ease and routine so he would grow in spiritual power, while Elisha's faithful attendance and humble service prepared him for greater responsibility. Their traveling together is the pattern for experienced ministers to educate younger workers and give them opportunity to learn to carry the work forward.

Crossing and Its Setting

Elijah wrapped his mantle together and struck the Jordan with it, and the waters divided hither and thither so that he and Elisha went over on dry ground. The crossing came on their last journey together, just before Elijah's departure when he was about to be taken away and translated to heaven, with Elisha remaining faithfully with him. It formed the setting for Elijah's final conversation with Elisha.

The crossing belonged to the time of Elijah's final visit to the schools of the prophets in Israel, when before ascending to heaven he visited them and gave the students divine instruction. In those visits just before he was taken to heaven he repeated important lessons and taught that simplicity should mark every part of education, preparing the students to follow God's ways. The work took place amid widespread wickedness and idolatry, through a prophet chosen and guided by the Holy Spirit who acted under God's direction.

After Elijah's departure Elisha struck the same waters with Elijah's mantle, and they parted for him too, showing that he had succeeded Elijah and carried his prophetic work. The account belongs to Elijah's translation to heaven and Elisha's succession, presenting Elisha as asking for the Spirit needed to take up his calling when Elijah was translated.

Preparation for Greater Work

The going from place to place that led to the striking of the Jordan and the crossing on dry ground was God's preparation of Elijah for his translation. Those changes kept him from settling into ease and helped him gain spiritual power, fitting him to influence and help many people. By changing his circumstances God led him to leave behind familiar methods and customs rather than settle into routine, so that his influence would help many grow spiritually. Breaking up former routines and customs kept him from stagnating and caused him to grow in moral greatness and spiritual soundness, making him a stronger influence in helping others.

That same last journey to the Jordan was the preparation of Elisha through faithful attendance upon Elijah. His steadfast accompanying of his master, including humble service, was the experience that fitted him for greater responsibility. Staying with Elijah to the end trained him to bear the larger trust that would follow.

Example for Training Workers

The dividing of the Jordan belongs to the journey on which Elijah and Elisha traveled together before Elijah's departure. That traveling together is the pattern for experienced ministers to take younger workers with them and give them opportunity to learn how to teach the truth. The lesson is for experienced workers to train the inexperienced by working alongside them rather than leaving them without practical instruction.

Elijah's educating of Elisha through that association is the example for experienced workers preparing younger men and women to carry the work forward. What was done for Elisha is to be done for the rising generation, fitting them to take up responsibilities and continue the work after those who trained them.