Bible Men: Elijah the Prophet Anoints Elisha and Elijah is Taken into Heaven

1 Kings 19:19-21

2 Kings 2: 1-17

In previous posts on Elijah, we read of God withholding rain for 3 years because of the disobedience and wickedness of king Ahab. We read of Elijah hiding at the brook Cherith, and how God sent ravens to feed him there, and then how Elijah was sent to Zarephath where he was sustained by a widow who had been prepared by God to receive him and how they were sustained through the drought until Elijah heard the word of God that rain was coming.  We learned of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal, when the LORD God sent fire down from heaven.  We learned how after that Elijah went to the top of Mt. Carmel and prayed, and how the sky became dark with clouds, and how by the power of the Lord, Elijah outran Ahab's chariot back to Jezreel. 

Then we learned how Elijah ran for his life and how an angel fed him for his next journey which took him to a cave where God appeared to him after a mighty wind, in a still, small voice.   Elijah was sent by the LORD God to Damascus where he was to anoint Elisha to be prophet in his place. By this Elijah knew that he would soon be taken to heaven, but he had no idea of the wondrous way it would happen.

After Elijah left the cave, he found "Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with 12 yoke of oxen before him."  That is a lot of oxen for one man to handle, Elisha must have been very strong.  "Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him" (1 Kings 19:19) This would signify that Elisha was to be Elijah's successor but he would be tested. "And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said Let me, I pray thee,kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee.  And he said unto him, Go back again:....." (V20) Elisha was given the opportunity to say goodbye.  After Elisha returned he sacrificed a team of oxen, gave to the people who were there, and then he "went after Elijah, and ministered unto him" (V21)