Thur.’s Devo - The End of Elijah’s Ministry and Beginning of Elisha’s

Read: 2 Kings 1-4
Our first verse reads “Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.” But, we don’t have the story until the third chapter verse 5. In the same way, Elijah threw his mantle on Elisha a while back and we don’t see him walk in it till now.
In the meantime, Elijah has many words to give to the king. He tells Ahaziah that he won’t recover from his fall because he went to ask Baal-zebub first. I wonder what Baal-zebub said? It cost Ahaziah 102 of his best men and his life.
Elisha is with Elijah on the day of his departure. Elijah visits three places: Bethel, Jericho, and Jordan. Theses are three strategic places in the Bible. Bethel means the “house of the Lord.” It was the first place God spoke to Abram and told him that he was giving him the land. Abrams built an altar here and the Jewish nation was birthed. Jericho was the first city in the promise land that they encountered. God delivered it into their hands with a shout. (Joshua 2). Jordan was the river that they had to cross to enter the promise land and it was the place where Jesus’ ministry began at his baptism. John the Baptist hung out around the Jordan and he had the spirit of Elijah (Matthew 17:12-13).
Elisha stayed with Elijah the whole day and when it was time, a chariot of fire came between them and Elijah went up in a whirlwind. He left his mantle behind which Elisha picked up and parted the Jordan. He healed the waters at Jericho, then cursed the mocking children at Bethel. He had retraced the steps of Elijah days before and did God’s miracle at each place. Then he was sent to give a word to three kings: the king of Israel, Judah, and Edom. Because of Jehoshaphat, Elisha gave them the word of the Lord.
He then went to a Shunammite who honored him and God and blessed her body with a son. He had to come back and raise him from the dead. His next stop was Gilgal where there was a famine. He cast meal into the poisoned pot of stew and make it edible. Then a man came with his tithe and gave it to Elisha. It was enough to feel the people. His servant noted that there wasn’t enough to feed the 100 people but the man said it would be more than enough and it was. Sound familiar?
Lord, Your Word is amazing! Let us learn from Elisha that You direct our paths and when You lead us to a place of need it is because You want to meet that need.