THOUGHTS FOR KIRKRIDGE, SEPTEMBER 2009: Reflection of Liz McAlister
COMMUNITY OR EMPIRE - WHICH WILL WE HELP TO BUILD?
THE SPIRIT OF GOD VS THE PATHOLOGY OF POWER
(2 Kings 2:1-8).

This is a spectacular passage in the Hebrew Scriptures. God has informed Elijah his ministry is over. He is to cross the Jordan and walk on to a spot, known or unknown to him, where a heavenly chariot will fetch him up and translate him to glory.

En route to Elijah's liftoff, he told Elisha four times - once each time they passed through one of the four places on their journey: Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan River to stay behind and not to follow him further. Elisha followed to the end. Seeing his persistence, Elijah asked what he could do for him (v. 9). Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit (v. 9-10). Receiving another's spirit is not easy. It requires interaction, seeing eye to eye, and walking within the confines and perimeters of the ministerial office.
Elisha clung to his master like a second skin as the time drew near. They went on together from place to place. At the Jordan, Elijah took his mantle and smote the waters; they divided so the two crossed on dry ground.
As we reflect on Elisha accompanying Elijah, know that none of the sites is accidental. Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho were places where companies of prophets lived. (2 Kings 4:38.) Gilgal - The place of beginnings - It was here that the Israelites first celebrated Passover in the promised land. Here the males born during the wilderness wanderings were circumcised and the covenant was renewed, Josh. 5 . Bethel - The place of dreams - It was here that Jacob met God and dreamed of angels descending and ascending out of heaven, Gen. 28 ; since the days of Solomon it had been a place of idol worship for the people of the northern kingdom. Jericho - The place of victories - It was here that Israel had its first military victory in the promised land, Josh. 6 . Jordan - The place of death - a formidable barrier that few would ever want to cross. That river was the boundary for the Promised Land. To cross it meant to enter into death. Every time they passed through a city, Elijah attempted to get Elisha to stay. Each of the places would have made a meaningful stopping place for Elisha.
But no way - walking on, Elisha asked that a double portion of Elijah's spirit descend upon him. Now, let's be clear - He did not ask to be a greater prophet than Elijah, but to have the sort of double gift that a father in that culture gave to his oldest son. It was promised if he should see Elijah taken from him. Elisha saw it.” He took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and it had the same power in his hands that it had had in the hands of Elijah.

(Read this part of the story. (2 Kings 2:1-14)) “If you see me,” Elijah said. There is seeing and there is seeing - the first is with the eyes - the second with the eyes of the heart. You can live 80 or more years with perfect vision and be totally blind to really significant realities . So Paul prays in Ephesians 1:17 that the “ eyes of our hearts might be opened .” We could study the Scriptures all our lives, attend a Christian college or seminary, be ordained or consecrated and the eyes of our hearts could be shut tight. Going through the motions doesn't mean our hearts are open. Elijah said, “You can have the power if you see me depart.” I think he meant....... if God opens the eyes of Elisha's heart i.e. gives him sight to understand.

As the story comes to an end, three things happen in quick succession: Elisha sees Elijah depart. He picks up Elijah's cloak. He takes the cloak to the Jordan River and says: “Where is the God of Elijah?” Remember Elisha was on the east bank of the Jordan. His ministry lay to the west. Between him and God's call flowed the muddy Jordan. He had to get across to embrace God's assignment for his life . This was the moment to find out if God would be with him as he had been with Elijah. He had seen Elijah separate the waters. Would the same thing happen for him? Elijah is gone, but is Elijah's God gone also?
We believe that Elijah is in heaven - and that he's alive and well - even today. Hundreds of years later God said through Malachi (4:5), “I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of God comes.” And four hundred years after Malachi, Jesus said of John the Baptist, “He is Elijah, who was to come” (Matt 11:14). He meant that John the Baptist had come in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17).

And later Elijah appears on the Mt of Transfiguration with Jesus, Peter, James and John (Mark 9:2-8).
Psalm 100:5 tells us that God's faithfulness continues “through all generations,” - literally “ from generation to generation .” God's faithfulness transcends generations. Whatever age any one of us might be at this moment, we won't live in these bodies forever. Not one of us needs to stay alive to ensure that the work given to us will be done. God will see to it. After we are gone, and even if all our prayers have not been answered, we can trust God to see to the work of which we were part.

Elijah departs. Elisha picks up his mantle and carries on his work. God names God's own successors. We come and go, but God spans the generations. So we continue to wrestle with the questions: Where is the God of Elijah? Where is Elijah in our own generation? Right here among us.

Let's reflect for a moment on what Elijah and Elisha met in the cities they passed through....Why did the older prophet want his servant to accompany him to Bethel and Jericho? Bethel had a great spiritual heritage. Jacob had offered sacrifice there. Yet, over the years, Jeroboam had set up a golden calf there, and the people were given over to idolatry. As a result, entire generations were lost to skepticism, scoffing and mockery, robbing their children of any trace of Bethel's spiritual roots. Things were so bad, the people mocked Elijah and Elisha as they arrived. As they walked through the streets, Elijah probably noticed his servant's horror and indignation at the spirit there - it was a totally lapsed society. Elijah had faced mockers and scoffers in his day, but it was clear that it would take greater strength to face this generation. These people were far more hardened and godless than the priests he had battled.

It might have been at this point that Elijah decided to test Elisha: "Elisha, why don't you settle here and pastor these people? You have a sure calling; you've been well-trained. You could restore Bethel's heritage." As Elisha surveyed Bethel, he knew he wasn't ready to stand up to the spirits there. He realized what Elijah had known all along - the need for the Holy Spirit to do a greater, more powerful work in him before he could face down the evil in such a city. So he told his master, "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee..." (2 Kings 2:6). Then, scripture says, "...they two went on".

Bethel was the kind of evil society our own nation has become in a generation's time. It was a city of scoffers and mockers (as we are a nation of scoffers and mockers) - sensual people given over to idolatry, murder, massive theft. And this present generation is worse than any Elijah or Elisha ever faced. The prophets saw children mocking, scoffing and blaspheming - but America's children have the resources and the will to demolish the whole of life on planet earth. To reach this lost generation will require a measure of anointing such as we have never seen in all of history. It demands that a holy remnant rise up like Elisha and cry, "Oh, God - more is needed."

Elijah and Elisha proceeded to Jericho, which means "a place called pleasant." Yet this city was now barren, dry, lifeless. There were no trees, no pastures, no fruits. Everything had withered because a stream of poison had infiltrated Jericho's water supply. The city was a dead, dried up - a church Jesus describes in Revelation saying: " ... I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead ." (Revelation 3:1).

Elijah had established a school of prophets in Jericho, and apparently he and Elisha visited the school. Some of the upstart prophets approached Elisha, asking, "Don't you know that God will take away your master from you to day?" (2 Kings 2:5). Elisha quickly cut them off, telling them, "Be silent." The young men were students of the scriptures. They even had prophetic vision, because they knew Elijah was going to be taken up that day. This was the generation of ministers who would be sent out across Judah and Israel to minister to society - building schools, feeding the poor, preaching the word. But something was missing in them: the power, anointing and authority of the Holy Spirit. The next day, these same ministers would be begging Elisha to let them go look for Elijah's body, in case the Holy Spirit dropped him off on some mountain or into some valley. They could witness, preach, speak of miracles - but they hadn't experienced God's power themselves.

Elijah probably overheard their conversation with Elisha. So, he suggested, "Elisha, you're looking at the next generation of ministers. Yet you can see the lack of the Spirit's work in them. Why don't you settle here and teach them. You're just the man to awaken this dry, intellectual church." But Elisha knew what would happen if he pastored these ministers. They would remain enamored with Elijah - and they would barrage him with questions: "How many hours a day did your master pray? How much time did he spend in the books of the law? What methods did he use? What doctrines did he preach?" Elisha would end up spending all his time recounting revivals and miracles of the past. And these young ministers would spend all their energies trying to be little Elijahs, hoping to recreate his miracles - yet without the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.

Elisha knew he couldn't impact anyone in this dead church until he was touched by the Spirit of God. He was telling Elijah, "I respect the spiritual giants of the past. But I know God wants to do a new thing. And I have to have a greater touch from him than anything seen before."

4. - W hat Elisha's request meant to him - What it might mean to us - Elisha asked a hard thing ; it was beyond Elijah's power to grant his request. To the modest among us, Elisha's request might seem arrogant, self serving, too much - as though he were seeking twice the power and glory that was Elijah's in life. But look at it this way: Elisha knew that Israel needed a prophet to deliver God's word and do God's work. He knew that if he were to be that person, he needed power he didn't possess - the power of God working in and through him to accomplish this work! Elisha was asking to be controlled by the Spirit of God, to be a dedicated, outspoken prophet of God during the reigns of Omri and Ahab - and throughout their pathological misuse of power. That meant to live a life of constant danger! He was asking for God's power to accomplish God's will! I submit to you that his request was about necessity. Elisha understood that - what about us?

Sisters and brothers, if there was ever a day when we needed people with hearts like Elisha's, it's today! When will we learn that we'll never be able to do what God has called us to do without God's power? For far too long, the church has tried to operate using the machinery of human wisdom and power. It has lost the spirit and the power of God that make it remarkable! We must seek the power of God in our days! We don't need to get concerned about numbers. We don't need to get caught up in the debates that are engaging the hearts and minds of most church folks. What we need is to be filled with the Spirit of God! We need to get before God and request an influx of God's Spirit in these days! If we are to do the work, we must have that Spirit (in abundance)!
Elisha asks for a double share of Elijah's spirit - not to be better than Elijah, but to honor Elijah . He does not ask for a double portion of prophetic powers, or a double portion of disciples, but a double portion of Elijah's spirit.   Elijah's spirit—an unseen affirming influence, a positive energy that breathes life into a ministry and entire communities .  In these words there is an understanding that somehow Elijah will always be present in Elisha's ministry.

I am struck by Elijah's: “You have asked a hard thing.”   He was honest. And so we need to be as we seek to invoke the mentor's spirit .  It is hard.   It is hard because we are afraid to ask, or afraid to share. It is hard because we want to control the outcome. It is hard because there is no sure fire way to make it happen. It is hard because ultimately it is God's doing, not ours.

I think that is what Elijah means when he says “if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.”  And as they continued walking and talking a chariot of fire and horses of fire took Elijah up into heaven in a whirlwind.  Elijah and Elisha experienced the presence and the power of God in that moment.

And Elisha was left with Elijah's mantle .  We don't know a lot about the mantle.  I like to think of it as representative of the Elijah's spirit . In the actions and attitudes of Elisha, the distinguishing characteristics of Elijah could be seen and felt. 

This kind of blessing and power is reserved for those who will pay the price in prayer and service and holiness before God! It isn't about pride to ask God to fill us with His Spirit and to use us; it is about survival! The people of God we venerate from the past are gone! The mantle has been passed to us and we are responsible for serving God in these days. We need God, not the stories about what He did for someone else! We need Him to act in us today!

From the moment it was apparent that Elijah was leaving until the moment he was taken up, Elisha clung to him like a second skin. At every turn the sons of the prophets asked Elisha the same question, “ Do you not know that God will take away your master today? LITERALLY, THE QUESTION WAS THIS: “ Why are you still following that old man? God is through with him and is calling him to heaven today. You would be better off to stay with us, or to strike out on your own. ” They tried to talk him out of his resolve! ( Note : If you decide that you are going after God until you obtain the double portion, you'd better look out! You can be sure they will attack and oppose you if you go with God! Wholehearted commitment to the cause of Christ leaves people baffled !

And it is wise to count the cost . Be careful what you ask. When Elisha (when any of us) ask for a double portion of the spirit in Elijah, he/we are asking to forgo our personal dreams, give up all claim to our money, endure false accusations, have our sleep interrupted, have our family believe we have lost our minds, all for the privilege of feeling like we are swimming upstream in a cultural sewer. The double portion will result in being persecuted and hated by the world, especially those we confront with truth.
I believe God is giving us a lesson here, with a clear, simple meaning: God not only wants but needs us to do greater things in each succeeding generation. And each new generation must seek God and our own experience of the Spirit. It is wonderful to read about God opening the Red Sea for Moses and parting the Jordan for Joshua. It's another thing for us to ask God to do such deeds with and through us. Yet that is what Christ desires for us. Most certainly I tell you, those who believe in me, the works that I do, they will do also; and they will do greater works than these .... (John 14:12) He's saying, "You're going to need more of my anointing, power and authority than any past generation has had. And my Spirit is going to endow you with all you need to persevere."

We need mentors—wise and faithful guides, advisers, or teachers—the wisdom keepers of a family or community.  More, we need the mentor's spirit:  an unseen, affirming influence and positive energy.  The mentor's spirit animates our lives.  It moves us toward wholeness and authenticity.  It gives us the green light to become distinctive contributors with the context of our life in community….When the mentor's spirit is absent, we find dependency, an erosion of optimism and impaired problem solving. What is required for the mentor's spirit to be present in a community of faith?  What is needed to pass the mantle of leadership?  I believe this story from 2 nd Kings can give us amazing guidance on these questions.

Notice that each prophet is aware of the need to continue the legacy .  Elijah asks Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you.”   Elisha responds, “Let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”   For those of us who identify with Elijah there must be a willingness to share our ministry.  This sharing comes from a place of deep satisfaction and peace about the work we have done over the years. The work isn't always easy and there may be a certain reticence to let go of hard won accomplishments.  But the mentor's spirit reminds us that it is not so much a letting go as it is a passing on .  And notice that it is not Elisha that speaks first.  It is Elijah who takes the initiative to pass on the legacy.

The old prophet didn't say Tell me what I may do for you.”   as if, like a genie, he could pop out of a lamp and grant three wishes. He said it to Elisha as a godly teacher in the faith. It was the last test, and he wanted to see how his young friend would respond.

I believe most Christians today would have answered, "Society is warped, and things are getting more chaotic all the time. I'm tired of the battle, weary of the harassment. It is dangerous just to be alive. Elijah, take me with you. I want to go home. Surely there's room for two in that chariot."

Elisha knew that God wept over the rebellious of Bethel and the barren of Jericho. And he knew what was needed: He had to remain and take on the responsibility of facing an evil society and a dead religious system.

I'm sure he told Elijah, "You've shown me the condition of this society and this church. And you know I'm going to need more power, anointing and authority than anyone before me has ever had. So, I'm asking for a double portion of the Spirit that God gave you." Elijah answered, "You have asked a hard thing..." Yet, who exactly would this task be hard for? It was going to be hard for Elisha. Elijah replied, "... nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so".

The moment he saw Elijah whisked away in the heavenly chariot, Elisha assumed his responsibility to carry on God's work with his generation. And as he stood at the Jordan and struck the water, the words he cried out were, "Where is the God of Elijah?" He was saying: "Lord, all my spiritual forefathers are gone. And this awful hour requires even more than you have given. Work again - this time through me. I have to be empowered with more of your Spirit.

Now - how often have we heard or said something like: "I'd like a tenth of this one's faith, 1/2 of that one's courage, even a bit of another's love... I submit to you, my friends, that that spirit is not Biblical. More, it is utterly out of touch with the reality of evil in our time - which grows exponentially. One half, one tenth, a touch won't cut it, can't stand up to the evil. Elisha knew that; Christ knew that; in our heart of hearts, we know that.

A good way to end this retreat - these years/decades of retreats with Dan is for any or all of us to ask for a double portion of Dan's spirit. What might that mean to us in the spirit of this particular retreat? What might that mean to our world? Continuing a legacy is hard and it is God's work in and through us, and it happens in the context of community. If any of us seek to embrace it alone, it is unlikely to last very long. But if we could do it in community, there is that much more hope attached to the process.

Who among us has courage/insight to ask for a double portion of Dan's spirit? Yet I encourage each of us to do just that... in order to bring that spirit to many more circles like this; to bring that spirit to the churches; to bring that spirit to the halls of power; to bring that spirit to the streets as Dan repeatedly did.

(Hand out fliers for Oct. 5 action in D.C.) Here is an opportunity. It's Phil's birthday; it's the 9th anniversary of the start of our war against Afghanistan 8 years ago - 24 days after 9/11. You will be acting with a wider community who will welcome you warmly.

Another opportunity is the SOA gathering in Georgia in November and another is the Feast of the Innocents Faith and Resistance Retreat in D.C. in December. Check the Jonah House web site for information about that action.

The third such occurence - the Red Sea, the Jordan at the initial entrance to the Promised Land