2 KINGS 2
Companions. Elisha’s ministry began with Elijah saying, “Go back!” (1 Kings 19:20). Now Elijah is saying, “Stay here!” Elisha did not go back but faithfully served Elijah about ten years. And Elisha did not linger at Bethel or Jericho but walked with Elijah to the very end. Think of what Elisha would have missed had he tarried!
Spectators. The students had knowledge without experience. They were just spectators, yet they tried to tell the prophet what was going on! Elisha was not a spectator; he was right in the middle of what God was doing. What good is our knowledge of spiritual things if it does not make a difference in our lives?
Doers. Elisha did not build a monument to Elijah. Instead, he trusted Elijah’s God and did miracles. We cannot live in the past, on the past, or for the past. We must accept the heritage of the past and trust the living God for power today. There were problems to solve and needs to meet, and Elisha trusted God to help him. God’s servants may leave us, but God’s Spirit goes on working.
Mockers. They were not little children; the youths were old enough to know better. They mocked Elijah’s going to heaven (“Go up!”) and Elisha’s personal appearance, and God rightly judged them for it. Today, God is patient with the mockers (2 Pet. 3), but one day, His judgment will fall on them.