II Kings 2: Blown Away

Elijah, the fiery prophet, goes off in a literal blaze of glory in II Kings 2.

As mentioned elsewhere, Elijah's ministry had a strong connection with fire.  How appropriate, therefore, that his going would be marked by another instance of supernatural fire - this time a chariot of fire!  As Elijah and Elisha are walking together, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separate them (vs. 11).  Elijah then ascends to heaven in a whirlwind.  (Sounds like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz!)

Elijah is regarded as one of two people in the Old Testament who didn't die but was taken up into heaven miraculously.  (The other being Enoch in Genesis 5:24.  Because of this, some students of Bible prophecy believe that Enoch and Elijah will be the "two witnesses" of Revelation 11:3.)  Because of the way that Elijah was taken, some of his followers wanted to search for the body, fearing it may been deposited somewhere.  Even though Elisha knew that wasn't the case, he eventually relented and allowed them to make a search.  It was, of course, unfruitful.

As Elijah was preparing for his departure, he had asked Elisha if there was anything he could do for him.  For the final request of his master Elijah, Elisha asked for a "double portion" of his spirit.  Elijah acknowledged that that was a difficult request, but that if Elisha witnessed Elijah's departure, it would be done for him.

So, did he?  Personally, I'm not sure.  Elisha did witness the chariot of fire and the whirlwind.  He did pick up Elijah's mantle and cross the Jordan with it, and then later work other miracles.  Elisha was regarded by the rest of the company of prophets as having Elijah's spirit upon him (vs. 15).  However, the Bible also says that, "But when Elisha could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces" (vs. 12).  Also, Elisha never seems to quite rise to the level of the reputation of Elijah.  Certainly Elisha is Elijah's successor and continued in his spirit.  But a "double portion"?  That's debatable.

P.S. Elijah and Elisha are often confused.  Elijah means "Jehovah is God."  Elisha means "My God is Salvation."  You can remember who was first by noting that their times of ministry happened to come in alphabetical order.  Elijah was first, and his successor was Elisha.