Elijah in the Whirlwind
Open Your Bible
2 Kings 1:1-18, 2 Kings 2:1-25, Romans 11:1-6
BY Erin Davis
Way back in the Garden of Eden, our foreparents enjoyed a fleeting moment of sin-free existence. This meant, among other things, that separation was a foriegn concept to them. Adam and Eve were united with creation, united with each other, and united with their Creator. No sin was present to drive a wedge between their hearts and God’s. Unity was the natural order of things. In contrast, our lives are lived in the fallen world. Painful separations are nearly constant as a result. Sin separates hearts. Sin divides homes. Sin keeps us from Eden, pulling us away from perfect unity with our holy God.
Here, in 2 Kings 2, Elisha was dealing with separation anxiety. His instincts told him he would soon be disconnected from his predecessor, Elijah. Everyone he met felt the need to confirm these suspicions but Elisha couldn’t seem to bear the thought. “Keep quiet,” he whispered when Elijah’s departure was mentioned (2 Kings 2:3)—as if failure to discuss it could have prevented him from losing someone dear. Every time Elijah tried to pull away, Elisha held on a little tighter. He refused to separate from his mentor one second before he had to.
Elisha must have known Elijah was heaven-bound. After seeing the ways God had used the life of his friend, he surely did not grieve without hope in God’s power and care. Any doubts that Elijah was heading somewhere better surely evaporated when he was taken up on chariots of fire within a supernatural whirlwind (vv.11–12). And yet, even when we know the promises of God to be true, even when we trust He has something more for us, separation stings. We simply weren’t built for it.
When the moment of separation finally came, Elisha cried out, “My father, my father!” (v.12), tore his clothes, and sat down in the dirt, giving outward expression to His deep grief over the loss of Elijah. His words remind me of another moment in Scripture—the moment on the cross when the Son cried out in anguish to the Father:
“About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’” (Matthew 27:46).
Jesus uttered these words right before the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom (Mark 15:38), an outward expressions of God’s power and His grace toward us. Jesus knew heaven was near and trusted the power and care of His Father, and yet, what He endured was tremendously painful. For once and for all time, our sinless Savior willingly endured the punishment for sins we deserved so that we might be united with Him again for all eternity.
Yes, this broken world is painful. We’re in good company if we respond with worried whispers and white knuckles when death comes for someone we love. But because of Jesus, separation is only temporary. Through the cross He built a bridge, a way back to Eden’s promise that someday we will be fully united with Christ, never to be separated again.
18 thoughts on "Elijah in the Whirlwind"
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Kelly Chataine, praying for you this morning, sister. Don’t ever apologize for feeling melancholy especially with your SRT sisters. We love you. Praying that God is a strong, physical presence in your life today.
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Kelly praying you feel our Jesus mighty love embrace you this day. Don’t apologize for sharing your heart and the tough things. It is good for us to open up the struggles for it always reveals His Grace, provision and strength and desire to pull us close. Elisha stays close to Elijah not just because he doesn’t want to lose him but because he wants to not be left behind and alone. Receiving Elijah’s spirit echoes Jesus having to depart that we would receive the Holy Spirit. How awesome is our God who dwells with us in our struggles, loss, love, and gives us His peace. Thank you Angie for sharing you spoke to my heart, as I have similar loss. May God have the glory in these struggles. May Jesus be lifted high.
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Separation. That can be difficult. Two years ago October 10th my relationship with my husband changed. The married life we knew was changed, even taken from us. At the same approximate time, my mom was no longer able to recognize me as her daughter. Was I separated from them? Yes and no. I have my mom, she looks like my mom but yet I don’t see my mom there and she definitely doesn’t see her daughter when she looks at me. My husband is alive, thanks be to God! However, my husband is different. We are a caregiver and the one that needs to be cared for.
I knew this change would come with my mom due to her disease. I had no idea that I would say goodbye to my husband on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, and never experience the husband-wife relationship (the way we knew it), again.
Elisha knew Elijah was going away and that things were about to change. Elisha was given a chance to ask for something before they were parted.
Don’t misunderstand. I thank God for my current life and usually don’t look back. At times, I miss my mom and long to tell her things. Once in a while, I miss having a physically strong husband, a man that is a doer and gets things done. I miss having someone that takes care of me. There it is, that selfish statement and desire.
I am not sure why I went to this place this morning after the scripture readings. Please forgive me for feeling melancholy this morning.
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Who will pick up my mantle of faith when I leave this earth? Who will have come to know Christ because of my influence? What am I leaving behind that has eternal value? Does my life draw others to the Gospel?
Sobering thoughts this morning on the legacy I will leave and what I can do today to ensure that the next generation knows the Truth and chooses to live by it. I pray I faithfully do my part through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. May His light shine.
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Amen! ❤️
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This is so on my heart today. Blessings…
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My prayer too. I need to start thinking in the long term – what am I leaving behind? Who am I drawing to God? Help me Father to live a life that brings people to you, amen.
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Thank you for that reminder! That is my prayer as well!
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Elijah’s work was finished, he was going Home
Elisha would miss him
Elisha would continue in his steps
He was about to lose his friend, teacher, and fellow prophet
Elijah would step into eternity,
face to face with the God he loved and served.
Elijah gained eternity with God
Elisha experienced temporary loss.
Loss is loss – it can be scary, and it hurts.
I am in a situation of loss,
I don’t have the assurance that Elisha did that this is good.
I’m thankful,
no, not just thankful-
my heart, my breath, my hope
RESTS in the fact that Jesus Christ is LORD
and I trust Him for the one I have lost.
Loss hurts
But more important than a renewal in our relationship (although that is part of my prayers)
is that God keep him close,
draw him near, and that his heart
remains true to Jesus.
The lost one will not communicate with me
but,
the One who is Love, sees him.
the One who has the power to heal and redeem, dwells
Use this loss LORD Jesus to draw us closer to you
Holy Spirit, work in our hearts and minds
Father God, hold us safely within your hand
We need to be ready when your chariot of fire brings us Home
Where the only loss is the temporary of this world
And our gain, is…everything that matters
where our Savior and LORD will reign upon the throne
and TOGETHER we will bow before him
face to face. -
Elijah walked with God and had such a close relationship. So many times I turn to other people and things. Elijah turned to God. I can certainly learn from his life. No one loves us like God. When I read of Jesus’ sacrifice and anguish, and am reminded of Him crying out, I reflect on how lovely He is. He is worthy of praise, glory, and honor. He is absolutely trustworthy! Thank you isn’t enough for all He’s done. With the Holy Spirit”s help, I want to live a life pleasing to Him. I can’t do that on my own. My heart would be or weak or selfish. I need Him for everything!
Oh wonderful that we can approach the Throne of Grace come and ask!On a side note, our first scripture talked about Moab turning against Israel. This connected to the other devotional I’m reading.on the First 5 app from Proverbs Ministry. If you go to http://www.proverbs31.org, you should be able to find it. I like when teachings and scriptures come together.
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I was truly moved by this study. When the King was calling on another God in his sick bed and God gave Elijah the message that the King was to die in his sick bed due to worshipping of other God. The king sent his captains and soilders and twice Elijah spoke the words and they were consumed by fire. It showed me how disbelief and disobedience can destroy you in reference to the King. To believe and trust God that he will protect you no matter what Elijah confidence and trust in God was so strong so powerful. That level of anointing is just mind blowing. There is nothing that God can not do for his children. Thank you for the reading of the word.
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I think it´s interesting that Elisha not only asks the Lord for a portion of Elijah´s spirit but a double portion – and God even grants this bold wish! How often do I ask for less, simply because I don’t believe God would give me more? I want to be as bold as Elisha.
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This is so true! I too suffer from this unbelief. Asking God for less because, like you, I don’t believe He can give me more. Sigh. Heavenly Father, help me with my unbelief. Help me to trust you more wholeheartedly without any shadow of doubt, Amen.
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