BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

Who will win? On one side, there’s a furious king with massive military power and limitless supplies. On the other, there’s a feisty wilderness prophet with a leather belt and massive need for a haircut.

The showdown between Elijah and Israel’s kings continues in today’s reading. Ahab’s son, Ahaziah, tries to muscle Elijah into conflict. Never mind that Elijah can call down heavenly fire. Ahaziah’s foolishness is exposed and worsens from there.

Yahweh unleashes a fiery flood of judgment on Ahaziah’s “powerful” soldiers. This flashes back not only to Yahweh’s decisive show of supremacy at Mount Carmel but also to his previous unstoppable acts of judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah and Egypt.

After the showdown, Elijah makes a spectacular exit. A flaming chariot appears from the sky with a whirling windstorm that sweeps him up to Heaven. Hyperlinks to Moses pepper this famous story: the parting of waters to cross over on dry ground, the encounter with Yahweh’s presence in a display of fire and wind, and God’s Spirit passing on to Elijah’s successor. Mysteriously, there’s no sign of Moses or Elijah’s body afterward (see Deut. 34:5-6).

Elisha picks up his mentor Elijah’s cloak and, like Joshua, starts his ministry by parting the Jordan River. This will be only the first sign in a series of miracles that validate Elisha as a leader empowered by God. He will bring life, pronounce fair judgments, and lead his people toward victory.

How will the kings of Israel receive Elisha, Yahweh’s newest spokesman?

Reflection Questions

• Think about how Yahweh’s presence appears throughout Elijah’s ministry. With these visible manifestations of God in mind, read through the story of Pentecost in Acts 2. What comparisons, contrasts, or connections do you notice?
• Can you think of another biblical figure who wears a leather belt, hangs out in the wilderness, and spends his ministry calling people to repentance? (Check out Matthew 3 for a hint.) How do these hyperlinks help you understand both figures?