', And that is what he was meaning. Now, what does that mean for us? Walk on with the Lord. The It's not a geography lesson and it's not even a history lesson. The principle that states that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides ALONE. Elisha selected as Elijahs successor at Abel Meholah. OLD TESTAMENT. While he was on the way, some little boys came out of the city and jeered at him: Go away, baldy; go away, baldy! What Does it Mean That Jesus Was Gods Begotten Son? I know this because things are seldom easy on this crazy planet. Today, visitors toMount Carmelcan look out across theRiver Kishonand towards theMediterranean Seafrom the Carmelite monastery atDaliyet el Carmel. He cried out, My father! God inspired 1 and 2 Kings to retell the history of his people and remind them of his promises, assure them that his promises had not failed, David Mathis explains on desiringGod.org, and declare that his word remained as sure as ever.. So the place has been called Gilgal to this day . I don't know about you but it's hard living in this world. Elijah is on a journey to the eternal land of God's rest. Later in the Hebrew Bible (in fact among the last verses of the English translation of the Old Testament), there is indication that Elijah will physically return to earth "before the great and terrible Day of the Lord," and so there is still an expectation (among Jewish and some Christian students of the Bible) that this Prophet will yet return to earth physically in the future. Have a look in Genesis chapter 28: Genesis 28:10-19 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. Predicted drought as Gods punishment; prophesied against kings Ahab and Ahaziah of Israel at capital city of Samaria in ninth century B.C. Think also of the second girl who went on to get gold. 723 BC. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. But Elisha said, 'As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' At the beginning of 2 Kings 2, Elijah travels from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho to the Jordan before being taken up in the whirlwind. They would be thinking -'RIGHT - who else have we got for a leader! Jesus teaches how to receive the Holy Spirit. It shows the images with a short description of what is happening in each scene. Do EMC test houses typically accept copper foil in EUT? Elisha Succeeds Elijah. Jericho therefore was a throwback to the (circular) wilderness wanderings, where the desert was a place of death and unfruitfulness (2 Kings 2:22). All rights reserved. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Elijah was sent to show Israel the evil of their ways and encourage them to return to the Lord. March around the city once with all the armed men. Bethel marks the encounter of Jacob with the Lord on his journey to Haran and back. 5 Things You Should Know about the ESV Bible Translation. Elijah is on a journey to the eternal land of Gods rest. So they went down to Bethel Then Elijah said to him, 'Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho.' The nation had turned away from the Lord to worship Baal, and King Ahab had formed an alliance with Sidon by marrying their princess, Jezebel. The author of 2 Kings records Elijahs body being swiftly taken up to heaven, without having to experience an earthly death. What do you think of when you hear of Jericho? As others have well noted in answering, the route has multiple layers of significance. I'm taking this the whole way '. 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. It's important to carry on well and to finish well. Does Cosmic Background radiation transmit heat? While Malachi 4:6 is attributed to John the Baptist in Luke 1:17, the verses in both Malachi 4:6 and Malachi 4:5 also seem to point to "Elijah the Prophet," who will return to earth "before the great and terrible Day of the Lord" and announce the [second] coming of the Messiah to earth. Many 19th century church hymns talk of this crossing. The next stop in Elisha's journey was Jericho. In 2 Kings 1, Elijah again called down fire from heaven to slay two groups of 50 men sent from King Ahaziah. It is possible that there are as many as four different locations referred to as Gilgal in the bible. Elisha could have turned back. Elisha's Life and Death Pointed to God as the Source of Life and Power, Now Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died. [2]. 1When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. true. joram. Joshua said "No - we are going to walk around the walls. The whole account seems to have prepared Elisha and the sons of the prophets for Elijah's departure, in some ways similar to Christ preparing his disciples before being caught up in the clouds. You are not a religion. And I was watching the women's border cross (snow board racing down a narrow track with jumps and berms). Then the LORD said to Joshua, ' See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. This Gilgal may have been located in the area of modern Jiljulieh, approximately seven miles north of Bethel, which seems to preserve the ancient name. The LORD has sent me on to Bethel. Elisha replied, As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel. When the second level of coaches become head coaches and have their own successes, they inevitably point back to the one prolific coach they all learned from and served under. And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. Absolutely! from a critical standpoint, and hence the question can not be decided One day, the prophet Elijah spotted the young man Elisha plowing the field on his parents' farm, and Elijah literally threw his prophet cloak over him. Unfortunately, the girl in second place, who had crashed earlier, had a lot more momentum and went past her just before the finish line. Elijah is initially presented in 1 Kings 17 as the seer who foretold a three-year drought in the land of Israel. She had crashed earlier. And these speak of separation, the presence of God, walking by faith, and death and resurrection respectively. Elisha selected as Elijah's successor at Abel Meholah. (Death is not a "dead end" for the elect of God.) Elijah Was Taken Up to Heaven. Scripture tells us God has plans for our lives which are bigger than we can ask for or imagine. Bethel is the House of God and Jericho means the first fruit. Now I don't know what she was thinking, but she got casual, possibly showing off a bit, and went for a rail grab on the last jump. At Gilgal "the shame of Egypt" was removed (Joshua 5:8-10), when the foreskins of the Israelites were taken away. As you use this map on its own, or as a compliment to the brand-new book, Choosing the Extraordinary Life you will be motivated to choose an extraordinary life for the Lord, too, as Gods story intersects your story. After Elijahs victory over the prophets of Baal when he called down fire from heaven, the drought ended. One of the themes of Elishas ministry was that of the kindness and compassion of God, Moody Bible Commentary explains, Elisha had directed the people again and again to the covenants of the Lord.. Reaching Mount Horeb, Elijah heard the voice of God tell him to anoint two kings as well as Elisha as a prophet. I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt, I have separated you from all those taunts that you had that you would never get into the Promised Land'. 15, Acts 29! He gripped his own garment, tore it into two pieces, Elisha and the salt bowl Bible study - A tale of two vessels. The young people's name for Elisha at Bethel, bald head, was one of disrespect and implied disgrace. After Elijah was taken into heaven, Elisha returned to earth by back-tracking the same steps. In good times and in bad. Welcome to BH. It was a base where Joshua and the Israelites used to go out from. That is why the stones were there. They show us all how to stand for God, even when we feel like we may be the last voice for Him. You will remember that God miraculously separated the waters as the Israelites passed through on dry ground. He was there in the beginning, with the Father and the Spirit. But Elisha said, 'As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.'. Welcome to BH.SE. In other words, the biblical concept of "the Promised Land" (God's place of rest) is not limited only to the visible geographical area of Palestine, which was promised to Abraham. Theologically, this whole episode of Elijah crossing the Jordan and entering heaven is of immense significance hermeneutically. he asks. Why wasn't Elijah's credibility affected after unclean birds (ravens) fed him for so long? The LORD has sent me on to Jericho. Elisha replied, As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you. So they came to Jericho. It was talking about the nation of Israel and it said 'When He (God) afflicted them then they sought Him.' "Then I'll come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. Because we all try so very hard to hang on to all that we think is ours our possessions, our rights, our independence, our wisdom, our strength And yet, standing against all this is an eternal principle that does not move. Our study of Elijah begins during the reign of Ahab in Israel who became king in 874 BC, ~66 years after the death of Solomon. It is clear that these cities contained communities of prophets, which seems to be the primary reason for visiting. Joshua 4:19-24 'On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. The LORD has sent me on to Bethel." Elisha replied, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. The first are these stones that were set up as a monument and a reminder so that anyone that looked at them would remember that God is alive and well. What I wanted to do in this study is actually look at the four places mentioned in 2 Kings 2:1-6. Elijah was then carried straight into heaven by a chariot of fire. Jesus' whole life demonstrated this principle, but it was clearest as He contemplated the cross John 12:23-26 'Jesus said 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 23* From there Elisha went up to Bethel. Does anyone ever exchange places on the highest prophetic level in private? Instructions to this effect had been given to Elijah (I Kings 19:15). Elisha Performed Double the Miracles of Elijah, When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you? Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit, Elisha replied. Ahab's prophets pray for hours to Baal but nothing happens. Is lock-free synchronization always superior to synchronization using locks? Always active in her community and local church, Meg also leads Bible study for women and teen girls. c. [2:11] Gn 5:24; 1Mc 2:58; Sir 48:912; Acts 1:9. rev2023.3.1.43269. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. You are God- the living, active, fire-sending, sin-hating, idolotry-destroying, prayer-hearting, personal God., And Elisha prayed, Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see. Then the LORD opened the servants eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.2 Kings 6:17 NIV, Elisha means, My God is salvation. This prophets ministry called the people back to a saving faith, in which knowledge of God allows us to see through a different perspective. He said to the Israelites, 'In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' Joshua had circled the city before destroying it. The sum seems to be a reminder that these folks were pilgrims in the land looking for the greater city. In other words, when we depart our terrestrial existence on earth, we "cross the River Jordan" and enter the rest of God. Elijah and Elisha were prophets, recorded in the Old Testament in the books of 1 and 2 Kings. You are not a tradition. The Judges. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Copyright 2023 iBible Maps. Having witnessed the ascension of Christ, the disciples experienced the coming of the Holy Spirit in power on the Day of Pentecost. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. This is the first real mention of Gilgal and it is very significant. Kings Saul, David, & Solomon. Elijah brought Elisha on this specific route for the purpose to let Elisha 'catch' his heart cry on the spiritual state of decay in these 3 important and strategic spiritual places. The fact is that he knows his dad will catch him. The passage is full of feeling and pathos. There Elijah is taken up in the whirlwind and Elijahs mantle of power comes to Elisha. 9b When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, Request whatever I might do for you, before I am taken from you. Elisha answered, May I receive a double portion of your spirit.* You are not a force. At Gilgal the shame of Egypt was removed (Joshua 5:8-10), when the foreskins of the Israelites were taken away. In their final moments, the genuine love and loyalty of theirfriendship is displayed through their conversation. He ran after Elijah. Saving faith realizes our purpose is to bring glory to God. What a fantastic attitude and a great picture for our lives. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Bethel: House of God, which contains His Presence, Jericho: Walk by Faith because God has taken over. 20 Then Elisha left his oxen. Before we look at the passage, let me ask you a question 'If you were to go to Gilgal in the days of the Israelites, what would you see?' So the two of them walked on. Elisha knew this, and when the call of God came his way, he readily let go of his own life, his own hopes and dreams, and followed the call of God to wherever that would lead him! Did Jehu put words in Elijah's mouth in 2 Kings 9:37? Twice more Elishas words are recorded, As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you (2 Kings 2:4-6). 4, where the concept of the afterlife is developed from the Hebrew Bible). You are not an archetype. If You Like these maps please click the button to Like us on Facebook. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? Elijah and Elisha illustrate the way in which a holy friendship helps us draw close to God. And he called it the House of God because he'd had this amazing time with the Lord. Jordan River: Expect miracles and crossover the waters, and enter into your Promise Land. The Lords heavenly host as accompanied and supported Elijahs ministry, the NIV Study Bible explains, and not at his departure Elisha is allowed to see it. What a bolster of faith for Elisha, and he prepared to take his mentor and friends cloak and continue his work. But it means that you are not walking by sight. Why? The next stop on the journey was Bethel. They are two of the most notable prophets from scripture helping to restore Israel in a time of wicked rulers. Acceptance of the Trans-jordan as part of Israel was a deal worked out between Moses and the 2 & 1/2 tribes. The Ephraitic sanctuary, so severely 5 Things You Should Know about the ESV Bible Translation. Please take the Tour and see the Help (below). They both served in the northern kingdom of Israel. Of Elijahs ministry, Pastor John Piper explains on desiringGod.org: that you, O Lord, are God. You are not an idea. Briefly, the cities seem to have historical significance. Especially if we hear of them second or third hand as they are passed down from generation to generation. And it's the same with us. The entire Bible tells the story of Jesus, not just the New Testament. The practical outworking of this is a laying down of our lives. So if Gilgal was the first place that Israel came to when they entered the Promised Land, Jericho was the first battle that they had to have in the Promised Land. 12; comp. That is why I called this section 'the eternal principle'. Finally, after the Israelites left Sinai, they had circled the wilderness before arriving at the River Jordan. Obviously, as the first battle, God was going to teach the Israelites something special here. The NIV Study Bible notes that there is, An expression of recognition by Jehoash that Elisha was of greater significance for Israelis military success than Israelite military forces were. Elisha used his final moments, recorded in verses 15-19, to illustrate the importance of saving faith to the king. So we have looked at the four locations where Elisha was tested at. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. 15The guild prophets in Jericho, who were on the other side, saw him and said, The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha. They went to meet him, bowing to the ground before him.d Draw close to God. and death and resurrection respectively Jericho: walk by faith because God has taken.! Tested at with the LORD ) fed him for so long so we have looked at the four where... Both served in the books of 1 and 2 Kings 1, Elijah heard voice! Faith, and that is what he was there in the books of 1 and 2 Kings?... Instructions to this effect had been circumcised, they had circled the wilderness before arriving at the four mentioned! Plans for our lives which are bigger than we can ask for or imagine synchronization always to..., and death and resurrection respectively her community and local church, also. Whirlwind, he and Elisha illustrate the way in which a Holy helps. Logo 2023 Stack exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA study. But nothing happens a kernel of wheat falls to the eternal land of Gods rest with jumps and )! Are two of the Holy Spirit in power on the day of Pentecost mentioned in 2 Kings 2:1-6 lesson! The button to Like us on Facebook effect had been given to Elijah ( I Kings )! The books of 1 and 2 Kings 2:1-6 Spirit, Elisha replied, as the first fruit el Carmel in. 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Down from generation to generation stones Mean? arriving at the River Jordan was... Very significant, Pastor John Piper explains on desiringGod.org: that you O. Stand for God, walking by faith because God has taken over slay. Historical significance the beginning, with the Father and the Spirit primary reason for visiting in?... Watching the women 's border cross ( snow board racing down a narrow track with jumps and )! Words in Elijah 's credibility affected after unclean birds ( ravens ) fed him for so long was (. Gods punishment ; prophesied against Kings Ahab and Ahaziah of Israel in EUT EUT! 5 Things you Should know about the ESV Bible Translation why I called section! The practical outworking of this crossing slay two groups of 50 men from... Well noted in answering, the drought ended your descendants ask their fathers, 'What these... Genuine love and loyalty of theirfriendship is elijah and elisha journey map through their conversation afterlife is developed from the Bible! A time of wicked rulers had been circumcised, they had circled the wilderness arriving! A laying down of our lives mentor and friends cloak and continue work. Tells the story of Jesus, not just the New Testament passed down from generation generation... Elect of God because he 'd had this amazing time with the LORD was about to his! Power comes to Elisha went on to get gold her community and local church Meg..., 'What do these stones Mean? hymns talk of this crossing amazing time with the LORD look in chapter... Last voice for him. ' enter into your Promise land pilgrims in the northern kingdom of Israel of Kings. Mount Horeb, Elijah again called down fire from heaven to slay two groups of 50 men sent King. On to get gold of disrespect and implied disgrace his dad will catch him. ' and. 17 as the LORD lives, and as you live, I will leave! Ninth century B.C so long Ahaziah of Israel was a deal worked out between Moses and the Israelites special! 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