Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 2
During the life of Elijah, the people in northern Israel interrupted God’s special relationship with their land. They were guilty of terrible evil acts; they even made the religion of the false god Baal into their official religion. Perhaps for such reasons, God directed Elijah to leave the land that he had promised to Israel’s people. Elijah did not go far; he simply crossed the river Jordan, which was the border, to its east side.
Elijah crossed near to the place where, several centuries earlier, Israel’s people entered the land with Joshua as their leader. That was an extraordinary act of God’s power. God divided the waters of the river, so that all the people passed through on dry land (Joshua 3:14-17).
God again did this extraordinary act so that Elijah and Elisha could pass through on dry ground. Fifty men who were loyal to Israel’s God watched from a distance. Elijah first struck the water with his coat, to show his authority over it. That was just a poor man’s coat – but Elijah’s authority came from God and not from this world. That is the only kind of authority that even a river recognises (Psalm 96:11-13). So, the waters separated and the two men walked across the river. The ground under their feet was dry.
The men who saw this did not cross the river. They remained where they were; and they continued to watch. After Elijah and Elisha crossed the river, they continued to walk together. As they walked, they talked to each other.
Next part: A double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9-10)
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