Read 2 Kings 2 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
2:1-18 {s} Elijah taken into heaven, is no more on this earth/ Elisha received the double portion of the Spirit
2:19-22 {p} Elisha healed the waters of Jericho
2:23-25 {p} Elisha cursed the youths who mocked him/ they are mauled by she bears
The Strong theme:
2:1-22 {s+p} Elijah taken into heaven/ Elisha, bearing a double portion of the Spirit, healed waters of Jericho
2 Kin 2:1-18 Chiastic structure:
This is the second time a prophet of God was taken up alive into heaven without crossing the threshold of death. The first was Enoch (Gen 5:18-24).
And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Gen 5:24
Why did God do this for Enoch, and Elijah? I frankly don’t know. But both men walked with God, and they did not die. It is History that Prophesies of the Angel of Death passing over those who walk with God. Also, notice the Sign of Messiah of the number three: Three times Elisha refused to leave his master. And for three days they searched for Elijah after his passing, but did not find him. The meaning has to be, faithfulness of the disciple toward his master; and three days from “death” (the passing of Elijah) to “life” (the spirit of Elijah resting on Elisha, thus new life).
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