Study of the Book of Kings – 2Ki 2:1-10  “Be Content with Such things as ye Have

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2Ki 2:1-10  “Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”

[Study Aired July 28, 2022]

One of the major keys to helping us understand the book of kings, as with all scripture, is knowing that it was written for God’s elect (2Co 4:15), and more specifically in this chapter, how the two main characters, Elijah and Elisha, represent Christ and His Christ.

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

With that principle in mind, we can look into this very hope-filled section of scripture which takes us to a very specific time and journey of Elijah and Elisha where we’re shown the transfer of power that was given to Elisha from Elijah, which is typical of these verses amongst others (Luk 24:49, Luk 22:32).

Luk 24:49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

It was expedient that Christ, who is typified by Elijah here, had to go away (Joh 16:7) so that the greater works of which Christ spoke could be accomplished through the body of Christ, the promised remnant (Rom 11:5) who have been promised an author and finisher of our faith to whom we confidently look (Php 1:6, 2Co 3:12, Heb 12:2) as He works in us both to will and to do of God’s pleasure (Php 2:12-13) which is to give us the kingdom (Luk 12:32).

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

We have God’s kingdom within us now in earnest (Luk 17:20, Eph 1:14, Php 1:20) and are confident that Christ who has all power over our heavens and earth (Mat 28:18) can make the rejoicing bride ready (Rev 19:7) for that much anticipated time when, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” will happen (1Co 15:52). That is just how important this section of scripture should be to us as it is a typical moment in history that points to something that God has promised He will do through the church, not by might nor by power but by his holy spirit (Zec 4:6) that was given in double portion to Elisha which typifies the witness that God’s elect have been given the very faith of  Jesus Christ by which we live (Gal 2:20).

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you [Joh 20:29].

Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 

Php 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me [Rom 5:8-10].

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

The double portion [2] of God’s spirit given to Elisha represents Christ in us the faithful witness (Rev 1:5), who can do these greater works today within us (Joh 15:5, Col 1:27) as we’re led by the spirit of the Lord  so we can open up the eyes and ears of those who are spiritually blind. These are the greater works that Christ spoke of that His disciples would one day accomplish once the holy spirit was given to them (Joh 16:7, Joh 14:12).

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

2Ki 2:1  And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from GilgalH1537.
2Ki 2:2  And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
2Ki 2:3  And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
2Ki 2:4  And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
2Ki 2:5  And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
2Ki 2:6  And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
2Ki 2:7  And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
2Ki 2:8  And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. 
2Ki 2:9  And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 
2Ki 2:10  And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

2Ki 2:1  And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from GilgalH1537.

It is from GilgalH1537 where Elijah and Elisha (Christ and His Christ) are seen walking together (vs 1), and this time of walking together represents the time when Christ’s disciples walked with Him on the earth, and when God’s elect knew Christ after the flesh (2Co 5:15-16). It will require Elijah being taken up “into heaven by a whirlwind“, a type of Christ being risen “and rose again” in order to develop a deep and lasting trust between these two prophets (Christ and His Christ).

2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again
2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

GilgalH1537 is a reminder to God’s people of what God is going to do for them after Christ is resurrected (Rom 4:17), and so it is through the resurrected Christ that we can now see a whirlwind which typifies God’s spirit that moves our earthly lives in a direction that creates a commitment and trust in him (Joh 6:63). Gilgal is also likened unto “heaven, rolling thing, wheel”, words that remind us of these prophetic verses in Ezekiel 1:15-17 that describe for us how our Father and Christ and our being in Christ (Joh 14:20) empowers us now (Rev 11:3) to interact through God’s holy spirit that makes it possible for these wheel within wheels to function to the glory of God (Php 2:12-13).

Rom 4:17  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Eze 1:15  Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. 
Eze 1:16  The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 
Eze 1:17  When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. 

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

2Ki 2:2  And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to BethelH1008.

Elijah telling Elisha to “Tarry here, I pray thee” is typical of what Christ said to his disciples (Luk 24:49) before he was resurrected and went unto our Father in his house, typified by the name “BethelH1008” where the spirit would be sent on Pentecost and given to those who were added to the church (Act 2:1-3)

Luk 24:49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 
Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Then Elisha prophecies that because the Lord lives he lives (“And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul livethRom 14:8-9), and as such we are inseparable (“I will not leave theeHeb 13:5, Rom 8:38-39), as we go down to Bethel with Christ [Elijah in type] which typifies our being raised in heavenly places and being seated with our Lord in God’s house [BethelH1008] having the earnest of God’s spirit today (Eph 2:6).

Rom 14:8  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 
Rom 14:9  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

2Ki 2:3  And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 
2Ki 2:4  And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to JerichoH3405. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to JerichoH3405.

The prophets that were at Bethel represent that part of us that lacks faith and causes us to question God’s intentions for us in this life, and so we need to be helped in our unbelief (Mar 9:24-25) which is what Elijah who represents Christ is going to do for Elisha, reassuring him of his commitment to not leave or forsake him in the next verse. Elisha was convinced of what God was doing and so he says these words, telling our old man who lacks faith to “hold ye your peace“, which also reminds us of what Christ said to his disciples in turbulent times at sea “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Mat 8:25-26).

Mar 9:24  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief
Mar 9:25  When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him [“and there was a great calm”].

This point of not leaving Elijah is twice stated now to remind us that this is the truth of the gospel of God that Christ who is our hope of glory within will not leave us or forsake us and will finish this work of faith to the end which is being typified with these two prophets (Col 1:27, Php 1:6).

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Elijah telling Elisha that he is going to go to “JerichoH3405” symbolizes Christ going to the church via the comforter (Joh 16:13), to enable the body of Christ to bring forth fruit that was made possible by the earlier typical statement of Elijah going to “BethelH1008” representing Christ going to His Father. Jericho means ‘moon’ and ‘fragrant’, and it is in the church, the temple of the living God, that we become a fragrant-smelling living sacrifice unto God. The moon in the positive sense is being used here as we can reflect the light of Christ in the church just as the moon can reflect the sun of righteousness (2Co 2:15, Eph 5:1-2, Mal 4:2, Eph 3:10).

2Co 2:15  For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 

Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 
Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Mal 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

2Ki 2:5  And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
2Ki 2:6  And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.

Now a third place of destination is mentioned that Elijah was sent “Jordan“. So we see a process of judgment being shown [3 places] which starts in our life when the spirit of God is sent to us on Pentecost made possible by Christ being resurrected to our Father’s house “Bethel“, then Elijah is said to go to “Jericho” representing the body of Christ and the fruit of his spirit in our life, and then to “JordanH3383“. The lower region of the Jordan represents the humbled life in Christ that is needed and can only be accomplished through a process of judgment that is upon the house of God today (1Pe 4:17, Mat 23:12).

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Once again our doubting-Thomas flesh, represented by this third time pronounced statement made by the sons of the prophets, “And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day?” This is again answered a third time by Elisha telling them, “Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace” which reminds us that two things are always happening in the life of God’s elect; Christ is increasing, and our old man is decreasing via the judgments God brings to us (Joh 3:30). And Elisha continues on with Elijah to Jericho. Like Peter, Elisha has an unction from God and his continuing with Elijah is akin to Peter wanting to continue with Christ because he has the words of eternal life “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (Joh 6:67-68, Joh 8:31-32).

Joh 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease. 

Joh 6:67  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 
Joh 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2Ki 2:7  And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
2Ki 2:8  And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

We can be living witnesses of God’s power in this world to those whose spiritual growth has not gone beyond “the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit” (Heb 6:1-6). Those who see this witness of growth are represented by the “fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan“. Like John the Baptist, these [50] have a favor given them as John did who had a humility and greatness that Christ spoke of but, because he typifies those who do not have Christ’s spirit within, the least is greater than John (Luk 7:28). This becomes an admonition for God’s elect that we are standing only because of Christ and reminds us that “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1Co 1:26-27).

Luk 7:28  For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 
1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 

Elijah taking his mantle and wrapping it together [line upon line, precept upon precept (Isa 28:10)] and smiting the waters so that they were divided hither and thither is symbolic of our rightly dividing the word of God so we can walk on dry ground. Dry ground can be both negative or positive, but in this case the dry ground is good as it symbolizes that we’ve gone beyond the early baptism stage of our walk of Hebrews 6:2 and are moving forward as a result of our waters, our flesh being smitten by the Lord or chastened and scourged so that we can forsake ungodliness and worldly lust (Tit 2:12) and learn of His righteousness because of His judgments in our earth (Isa 26:9) that cause us to move forward on the dry land (Heb 12:6, Rom 8:14-16, Heb 5:8).

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 
Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 
Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

2Ki 2:9  And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 
2Ki 2:10  And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

Now both prophets have crossed the Jordan, and at this point Elisha is no different than Moses who in type and shadow cannot enter into the promised land unless the holy spirit is given, which we are told to ask for: “And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me” (Jas 4:2, Luk 11:13).

Jas 4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

The promised land is Christ, and again the request of Elisha to “let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me” is comparable to our crying out to God for His spirit, and being given a thirst to ask for those living waters in this age (Mat 5:6, Joh 7:37-38) that make it possible for us to be true overcomers in this life who cross the Jordan and enter into the promised land (Rom 8:8-9). Peter and all of us like Elisha lack faith and will be devoured by the devil unless the Lord prays for us and faith is given, typified by the double portion of the spirit that will be given to Elisha (Luk 22:32).

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Joh 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 
Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 
Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

The spirit bears witness that we are sons of God (Rom 8:16) and Elijah points out that in his flesh he has asked a hard thing wanting a double portion of God’s spirit, but nothing is impossible for God (Luk 1:37), and so the proof given to Elisha that his request has been answered comes in the form of the statement “nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.” It is when Christ is taken from us that we ‘go a fishing’ (Joh 21:3), but if God’s spirit is given to us, as was the case in this type and shadow story of Elisha, who represents the elect, then we do not need to see Christ as typified by these words: “if thou see me taken from thee” (Joh 20:29). Elisha did see him taken from him, and those expedient actions were typical of what Christ said of himself so that we can see him in the spirit and “be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Joh 16:7, Joh 14:18).

Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 

Luk 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 

Joh 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

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