Elisha and the Bears
MAIN IDEA: Our holy God will do whatever it takes to protect His name, His fame, His people, and His covenant promises regardless of man’s opinion’s, the state of the world, or the state of His people.
Introduction
Historical Context/Key Background Information (WHERE ARE WE PLACED?)
Canonical Context
THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: PROPHET Deuteronomy 18:14-19
Immediate Biblical Context and Story
Over the past few chapters the writer of 1, 2 Kings has slowly set the stage for a new chapter in the history. Ahab has died, leaving behind a legacy of military strength, moral weakness, tolerance for Baalism and Jeroboam’s cult, and a vicious queen who has yet to pass from the scene. Elijah remains in the picture, but he has already chosen Elisha to take his place as the Lord’s spokesman (cf. 1 Kgs 19:16, 19–21). Evidently he will soon give way to his successor, who has committed himself unreservedly to his calling but has not yet proven himself as a “man of God” or “prophet in Israel.” Joram has followed Ahab’s son Ahaziah on the throne, and readers await the fulfillment of Elijah’s prediction that Ahab’s whole household will be wiped out as a result of their “father’s” sins (cf. 1 Kgs 21:21–22). Judah seems weak and silent. Syria despises their southern neighbors, which indicates more war will soon occur. Thus, the reader has now come to a pivotal point in the accounts. Old characters will be replaced; new dilemmas will arise.
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.
Besides marking him as an extraordinary prophet, Elijah’s death reminds readers of Scripture of other unusual events. For example, his going skyward in a whirlwind reads much like Job 38:1, where God answers Job out of a similar storm. Unlike this mostly positive self-revelation to Job, God’s presence in a storm means judgment in Jer 23:19; Zech 9:14; and Ps 83:15. Earlier God had spoken to Elijah after a storm of sorts was over (1 Kgs 19:11–13). Also, this scene may be one last time where Yahweh proves stronger than Baal, for once again the Lord conquers death (cf. 1 Kgs 17:7–24), and once again he rules the storms instead of the supposed storm god Baal. Thus, rich irony, not unlike that so evident in the Mount Carmel episode, prevails to the end of the Elijah accounts.
Main Text Interpretation and Application
The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so. 15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.”
17 The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”
21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.