CONTENTS
This is an interesting Chapter, in that it contains the history of the removal of Elijah to heaven, and of establishing Elisha as his successor in the prophetical office upon earth: the dividing of Jordan; healing the waters: the children mocking Elisha, torn and destroyed.
The ascension of Elijah to heaven, without passing through the intermediate passage of death, is striking and singular; never such an event happening before, except in the case of Enoch; (see Genesis 5:24, compared with Hebrews 11:5) it merits the more particular attention. Some have thought that the honour conferred upon this man, was on account of his great piety. And others have conjectured that it was to rouse the attention of the Lord's people, Israel, to the consideration of another state, which, from their long degeneracy into idolatry, was almost effaced from their dark and earthly minds. But though this latter motive might, in a secondary point of view, be in the design; yet I cannot be brought to think that Elijah's singular piety and faithfulness, great as both these qualities, (through grace) were in the prophet's life, were the cause. I rather think that both in the patriarchal age, in the instance of Enoch, and now, while the church was in Canaan, in the instance of Elijah, these things were wholly intended to signify that glorious event hereafter to take place in the church of God, in the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Did not God our Father by such remarkable circumstances, mean to give the old church lively tokens of the triumph of our Jesus who, in this return to heaven, entered as the glorious forerunner of his people, and took possession of the kingdom in their name? Seen in this point of view, oh! how inconceivably sweet and precious is this account of Elijah, dearest Lord Jesus, if by thy blessed Spirit our views of this subject are directed to the right apprehension of it! Oh! do thou open our hearts more and more to the discovery of the many precious things as they concern thee, which are contained in it, that while we read this chapter our meditation of thee may be sweet.