The prophetic ministry to Israel is passing from Elijah to Elisha. So we are witnesses in this passage of Elijah's final training mission with Elisha. The final tests of readiness and commitment. Did you wonder why Elijah seemed to be trying to shake Elisha loose? I suspect it was a commitment test. After all, Elijah knew first hand the difficulty of being God's spokesperson in a country as idolatrous and rebellious as Israel was at that time. Elisha would have to be fully sold out to the task. And Elisha is. He repeatedly tells his mentor that he will not leave him. It reminds me of the cartoon of the chicken and the pig discussing giving breakfast to the farm family. The pig's comment: "Fine for you to offer. For you it is a gift. For me it is total commitment!" For Elisha ... it was total commitment.
Today, let's learn from the geography in this chapter. If you are keeping a notebook, list the 4 geographical sites mentioned. They begin in Gilgal (v.1) - go on to Bethel (v 2) - next to Jericho (v. 4) - and finally to the Jordan River (v. 6) I believe that Elijah chose these particular locales because of their significance in Israel's history. Remember ...
1. Gilgal (Joshua 4: 19 - 5:12) Such an important place! It marks the first camp that was set up on the Promised Land side of the Jordan. It is where the first monument was established in the Promised Land. What was the monument for? "So that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God." (Joshua 4:24) This is the location where circumcision was re-instituted as the sign of the covenant between God and this people. This is where the manna was stopped because now they could eat the produce of Canaan. Gilgal was the place to remember covenant - to remember the powerful deliverance of God. Do you have any memorial stones in your life? The moments or events that point you to a mighty God? Visit them often! Go to your own Gilgal.
2. On to Bethel. We are first introduced to this locale with the patriarch, Jacob. (Genesis 28:10-22) Jacob is running away from home because his brother is out to kill him. Why? Jacob stole his birthright - the privilege of the first born. Jacob is scared, alone and isolated. It was in Bethel that God appeared to him in a dream ... a dream of a ladder opening up into heaven. God reminded Jacob of the covenant that God had made with Abraham, his grandfather. God reconfirmed His promises to Jacob at Bethel. He reminded Jacob that He, the LORD, was indeed still the God of Jacob. Do you ever need those reminders? Do you ever doubt God's promises are for you? Do you struggle with believing God when bad things happen in your life? Or when God's time frame and yours do not match? Go to Bethel.
3. Next stop was Jericho. (Joshua 5: 13 - 6:27) This is the site where the Israelites learned, Joshua learned, beyond a shadow of doubt, that God is a holy God. The is the site where the Israelites learned beyond a shadow of doubt, that God fights for His people. What are you doing battle with right now? Are you remembering the holiness of your God? Are you remembering to show honor and worship to Him? Remember Jericho.
4. Finally, Elijah goes with Elisha to the Jordan River. (Joshua 3) This was the place of cross-over. This was the entrance point into Canaan for the Israelites. They had to trust God to step into that flood-swollen river! But when they did trust ... when they did obey ... those waters parted and they walked across on dry ground. God will make a way - always. He goes before and behind us. Will you trust Him with your life and your circumstances? That's the message of the Jordan.
Apply each of these locations to your own life right now.
Gilgal: Surrender again to your covenant with God today.
Bethel: Believe the promises of our Faithful God.
Jericho: Worship the holiness of God and allow Him to be the general in your battles.
Jordan River: When God says, step out ... do it. Trusting ...
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