Sunday, November 16, 2025

Reading 64 | The Bible in 100 Passages

Today's Scripture
2 Kings 2:12–18

Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. When the company of prophets who were at Jericho saw him at a distance, they declared, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. They said to him, “See now, we have fifty strong men among your servants; please let them go and seek your master; it may be that the spirit of the Lord has caught him up and thrown him down on some mountain or into some valley.” He responded, “No, do not send them.” But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men who searched for three days but did not find him. When they came back to him (he had remained at Jericho), he said to them, “Did I not say to you, Do not go?” (NRSV)

Reflection

Do you ever look east? Across Lake Michigan, in the early morning hours?

I am blessed with a view; on occasion, it is a spectacular view looking across the horizon over the lake and welcoming the early morning sunrise. When the prism of light created by the clouds abuts the brilliant iridescent rising sun, the sky becomes a canvas touched by the brushstrokes of God. That mural in the sky then holds the signature of God. It is a small moment of breathless awe.

Now multiply that by 100 and imagine the enrapture of Elijah’s ascension into heaven: chariots, fire, a spirit-infused cloak, parting waters. This is God’s epic moment. It is a spectacular image, one that left Elisha awestruck, but back up.

The magnificence of Elijah began long before the ascension and encompassed deep wisdom, magnanimous service, and unwavering faith. It is that aggregate of God-centered attributes that justifies our reverence and explains why Elisha was nearly apoplectic, i.e., at the point of collapse.

As we shepherd this journey through the Bible in 100 passages, we arrive at the point where the people of Israel are fully rogue and off the rails, completely subsumed by the worship of idols and far away from God. Elijah, referred to by some as “A Faithful Prophet in a Time of Adversity,” accepted the impossible charge to “right-correct” the people of Israel. He took on the idolatry merchants and won. Clearly he held the favor of God.

But be careful of your accomplishments (and never read your own headlines); there was no time for afterglow as the king and queen (Ahab and Jezebel) set out to kill him. His escape landed him at Mt. Horeb; now this is when Elijah hits next level. After forty days in hiding, it was Elijah who heard it first — the “still small voice” of God — and returned to save the people of Israel, and did so, in part, by recruiting Elisha.

Elisha, as the apprentice, knew Elijah’s time was near. Elisha asked for two portions of Elijah’s spirit, and by way of witnessing Elijah’s ascent into heaven, Elisha held the power of Elijah. We might want to quibble about any literal interpretations of chariots, fires, and such, but there is no debate about the power of God and the gifts of Elijah.

Beautifully, Elijah’s gifts were those of reason, sincerity, purpose, and absolute, even stunning, faith. He heard that still small voice. Is there any wonder why Elisha wanted Elijah’s spirit? Wouldn’t you?

When you next see God’s majesty, anywhere, listen for that still small voice. It’s there; it’s always there. It only takes faith to hear and heed it.

Prayer

Amidst all of today’s incessant noise, bluster, and cacophony, please give us courage to look east, wisdom to understand, and faith to hear your still small voice guiding us on this journey as warranted by your divine vision. Amen.

Written by Clyde Yancy, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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