Moses and Elijah had each been forty days on Mount Horeb. Moses stood there without fear, (the only one who had ever done so), and when the glory passed, his face shone. He did not know it, but the people saw it and were afraid, so that Moses had to put on a veil. Moses there heard God's voice in answer to his pleading for the people.
Elijah, on the other hand, remained in his cave, fearing to obey the word to "go forth," all the while that God was making His power known, and when the "still small voice" was heard. Elijah was too far off to catch what the voice said. Unlike Moses, he pleads against the people, but God answers. "I have reserved 7.000 men," etc. Elijah could not stand with God in the storm, nor was he allowed to go on with his testimony. He was taken away and Elisha succeeded him.
On the mount of transfiguration, however, both he and Moses are seen talking with Jesus. There is no word of reproof, no mark of distinction. God called Elijah out of the cave, but he never got beyond the entrance, even when the still, small voice aroused him. Moses on the contrary went boldly up to the very "top of the rock." where there was no shelter, and God put him in a cleft of the rock and covered him with His hand, when the glory passed, and he was near enough to hear the wondrous words proclaimed.
Still it is blessed and comforting to find how the failure of even the best of men serves to set grace in relief. Elijah got discouraged after his most remarkable testimony, and requested for himself that Ile might die, but God took him up by a whirlwind into heaven (1 Kings 19:44But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. (1 Kings 19:4); 2 Kings 2:1-111And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el. 3And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 4And 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. 5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 6And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. 7And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. 8And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. 9And 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. 10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kings 2:1‑11)), seemingly to reserve him for the transfiguration scene. where he was to appear with Moses.