Though there was a time when Elisha accompanied the elder prophet Elijah as his servant, the ministry of Elisha was very different from that of Elijah. Elijah’s ministry bore witness to the law and called Israel to return to the Lord. His miracles were demonstrations of power and judgment causing Israel to fear and obey God. Elisha’s ministry only began after Elijah had been removed. Elisha ministered grace to Israel when they were in difficult circumstances. These two men in their ministries demonstrate the contrast between law and grace. They are an example of the change of ministry that came through Christ, as it says in John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17), “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” The transition of Elijah’s ministry to Elisha’s ministry is pictured in Elijah’s final journey before he was taken up to heaven in the whirlwind. Elijah tested his young servant Elisha, as he made his journey, leaving behind his people and land. Would Elisha remain with him until his ministry ended? Many of the other prophets knew that the Lord was about to take away Elijah, but only Elisha stayed with him and saw Elijah as he was taken up into heaven. Mere knowledge of heavenly things is not enough; we must be willing to walk in them. We cannot properly appreciate grace if we do not see that “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Rom. 10:44For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:4)). “The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ” (Gal. 3:2424Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)). “To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt” (Rom. 4:44Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (Romans 4:4)).
Elijah Rejected
The hope of reform through the ministry of Elijah ended when he was rejected by King Ahab, Jezebel and all Israel. But God would give Israel one more opportunity before he judged them. It was the ministry of grace through Elisha. For Elisha to have power he must follow Elijah in the last three places he visited: Bethel, Jericho and Jordan. Crossing the Jordan River, they went into the wilderness where Elijah was taken up alive into heaven. This journey from Bethel to Jericho and the Jordan was a reversal of Joshua’s entrance into the land of promise with the nation of Israel. The trial of man under law failed when the nation of Israel rejected Christ, even as Elijah was rejected. But the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus opened the avenue for another ministry, which is typified in Elisha’s ministry. God’s grace flows out more fully than ever after the redemption accomplished at Calvary. “After that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:4-54But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:4‑5)).
Bethel
When Elijah left Gilgal, the first stop was Bethel, which means “the house of God.” How could such a place be “the house of God” if His prophet Elijah was rejected? In name only. How can God meet with them there? A change is necessary. The sons of the prophets profess to know that Elijah is leaving, but are unwilling to leave their city and follow the Lord’s prophet. Only Elisha follows with him: “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee” (2 Kings 2:44And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. (2 Kings 2:4)).
Later, when Elisha returned to Bethel after receiving the mantel that fell from Elijah, he was mocked by the little children. Elisha pronounced a curse on them. The she bears tore up 42 of the children. The lesson is that if we reject grace, the curse of nature will tear us to pieces.
Jericho
Jericho was the next stop as the two prophets continued the journey. It is called “the city of palm trees,” but in the beginning of the conquest of the land, Joshua had pronounced a curse on the city. All the gold, silver, brass and iron were to be consecrated to the Lord. Much of the beauty of this world has been ruined by the curse. Rahab was saved out of Jericho because of her faith, but Achan was judged because he coveted and stole some of its wealth. Elijah is constrained to leave Jericho; he was heaven-bound. Elisha follows him to Jordan.
Later, when Elisha returns to Jericho, the citizens complain that although it was a pleasant place, the water was bad. Elisha tells them to bring a new cruse, put salt in it and cast it into the water. It healed the waters for them. This demonstrates how the believer with the new nature has the power to distinguish the clean things of the world from the unclean and is able to use the natural refreshments of world for good according to God’s right use of them. Thus we read in the New Testament, “They that use the world, as not disposing of it as their own; for the fashion of this world passes”(1 Cor. 7:3131And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. (1 Corinthians 7:31) JND).
Jordan
The third place on the prophets’ journey was the Jordan River. Elisha looks on as Elijah wraps his mantle together and smites the river as Moses smote the Red Sea with his rod. The waters divide and they go across on dry ground. It was a testimony that God’s ministry through Elijah was over. Israel could not be blessed under Elijah’s ministry. A change was necessary. It was important that Elisha see this, for law and grace cannot be mixed. It must be one or the other.
When Elisha returns to the Jordan after seeing Elijah go up in the whirlwind, he smote the waters of the river and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” The Lord answered from heaven by parting the waters so he could pass over (see note in JND translation). It was a demonstration that the Lord was with Elisha as He had been with Elijah. The sons of the prophets noticed this too. The result was that Elisha had grace and power to meet every need in Israel. Likewise, as the Lord Jesus has been taken up into heaven — the true Elijah — unlimited favor flows out from God to the world.
Elijah Taken up Into Heaven
Once the two were out in the wilderness, Elijah asked Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee” (2 Kings 2:99And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. (2 Kings 2:9)). He requested a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. The promise was made on one condition — that Elisha see Elijah when he was taken up. Elisha did see him taken up and cries, “My father, my father.” Elisha received the double portion and is able to go back to Israel with a message of power and grace to Israel. The ascension of the Lord Jesus has opened the avenues of heavenly blessing. The source of grace comes from the One we now know as Father. Because of the perfect work of redemption of the Lord Jesus and God’s delight in Him, God’s grace may be proclaimed far and wide. The gospel does not compromise His justice nor limit what the sinner may receive. It glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. Only God could design such a wonderful plan. If anyone thinks he has contributed anything towards his salvation, he has failed to see how Christ is the end of the law.
Grace Teaches Us
This story of Elijah and Elisha demonstrates God’s unchanging principles of justice, love and mercy which remain the same at all times. On the other hand, the dispensational ways of God with man have changed in the New Testament. In Christ we are not under law, and we cannot attribute any of our blessings to our own righteousness. We owe all to Him. As we lay hold of this favor, may our consecration to Christ be like that of Elisha who served Elijah. The favor shown us should teach us obedience to Him. The obedience of Christ goes beyond obedience to the law given to Israel. The Lord Jesus raised the bar far above what the ten commandments required, and we are privileged to do it in the liberty of new life outside any yoke of bondage. “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:1212Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:12)). There is no just reason to turn grace into an excuse to practice lawlessness. “It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein” (Heb. 13:99Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. (Hebrews 13:9)).
D. C. Buchanan