Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 2

Elisha separates the waters of the river Jordan

2 Kings 2:14-15

Elijah rose up to heaven from the east side of the Jordan river. Only Elisha was with him. Fifty men who served the true God, were watching from the west side of the river, near Jericho. So, to return to them, Elisha had to cross the river.

When Elijah rose to heaven, Elisha had an astonishing experience. He had seen something of the great armies of heaven as God took Elijah from him. So he returned in the power of the Spirit of God, and ready to begin his own special work for God.

In that power, Elisha did not consider it a difficult matter to cross the river. Only a few minutes earlier, Elijah had struck the water with his coat. The water separated and the two men walked across on dry ground (2:8).

Now, that coat belonged to Elisha, who would continue Elijah’s work for God. The God of Elijah was Elisha’s God too. The power that Elijah had known was, therefore, available to Elisha.

Elisha asked, ‘Where is the God of Elijah now?’ He knew the answer to his own question. God, who had been with Elijah, was working powerfully in Elisha’s own life now. So, Elisha took the coat that had belonged to Elijah. He too struck the waters with it and, again, the waters separated.

So, he crossed back on dry ground, to the fifty men who were waiting for him. They recognised that the power of God’s Spirit was upon Elisha. They understood that God had appointed Elisha to continue Elijah’s work. So, they gave great honour to Elisha when they greeted him. Previously, they had known him as Elijah’s servant – but now he truly was a prophet of God, a very holy man.

Next part: Men from Jericho try to find Elijah (2 Kings 2:16-18)

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