Psalms 8:1, 31:1-3.
My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in 2 Kings 2. The Mind of the Spirit caught the attention of the spirit of my mind in verse 15, where I puzzled over the expression “the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho.” What does that mean?
The phrase, which were to view, is supplied by the translators but not italicized. That’s because it translates the opening Hebrew phrase וַיִּרְאֻ֨הוּ בְנֵֽי־הַנְּבִיאִ֤ים (“And to see, the sons of the prophets” which were at Jericho—the sense being, the sons of the prophets were at Jericho to see. Prophets are called seers (1 Samuel 9:9, 11, 19, +6). Jesus spoke of the blessedness of having eyes that see (Matthew 13:16). He opened the eyes of the disciples in Emmaus, allowing them to see Him just before He vanished (Luke 24:31). Later, Jesus came to the disciples in assembly and “opened … their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). The ability to “see” is concistantly associated with spiritual sight, the ability to comprehend spiritual truth, or to “understand.” The sons of the prophets were “seers,” men who had understanding of God’s word and could give insight. That they were at Jericho “to view” means they were there to speak God’s word. It could be written: “And when the sons of the prophets which were to preach at Jericho saw him …”
The Spirit hooked me there and drew me into 2 Kings, where, along the still waters, I reflected on many parts of this chapter profitably. Of the many insights I enjoyed in communion with the Spirit, the one I believe He wants me to bring forward to you is the challenge that we choose wisely when given an option to remain at some level of spiritual growth. Don’t stop short of God’s incredible blessing for you by settling into the blessings He offers you along the way.
The Spirit had told the prophets that God would remove Elijah (2 Kings 2:1, 3). Elijah told Elisha, his servant, to stay in Gilgal (a Wheel, to roll), but Elisha insisted that he would go with Elijah, “So they went down to Bethel” (The House of God) (2 Kings 2:2). Elijah invited Elisha to sit down in Bethel (to Tarry), but Elisha insisted on going with Elijah to Jericho (fragrant, a pleasant place) (2 Kings 2:4, see 2:19). Elijah invited Elisha to “tarry” in Jericho while he went on to Jordan. Elisha refused and followed Elijah to Jordan (to descend, run down) (2 Kings 2:6). Here, Elijah removed his mantle, folded one end into the grip of his hand, raised it over his head and brought it down upon the waters like a whip—the river divided and Elisha followed Elijah across Jordan on “dry ground” (2 Kings 2:8).
Jesus called us: “He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38). Like Elisha followed Elijah, we follow the greater than Elijah—JESUS. Be like Elisha; follow all the way.
Gilgal near Jericho is located at a lower elevation than Bethel; therefore, it would not likely be the Gilgal mentioned in Joshua 4:19.
Nevertheless, the city was likely named after that more ancient one as memorial to the event that gave that city its name: “And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away [meaning of the world gilgal) the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day” (Joshua 5:9). It’s fitting, for my purpose, that this “New Testament” application would begin at a new Gilgal, the place where the reproach of this world is removed from the New Testament saint. Jesus, like Elijah, does not drag us with Him; He does not coerce. Please understand this! He may well leave you in Gilgal. He might say to you, “Tarry here,” I must go on! Fascinating! Each time Elijah told Elisha to tarry, Elisha responded by saying, “I will not leave thee.” To “tarry” at any point along the journey where Jesus moves on and you don’t follow, don’t think He left you; you left Him.
Some disciples make it to Bethel, the House of God! They attend church, grow, and even join those who faithfully support Christ’s Ekklesia. But it comes time to move on to higher spiritual commitment, it’s time to move on to Jericho, where the prophets gather to preach. And He will say, “tarry here at Bethel, while I go on to Jericho”—Jericho being the first stronghold God pulled down to begin the fall of Canaan to the armies of GOD. Some disciples do not go with Jesus after the lost with the Gospel; some are content to tarry at Bethel, and do not follow Jesus forward in spiritual warfare against Satan’s strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Some believers “tarry in Bethel” even after the Spirit was given to empower their witness (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8).
Some disciples follow Jesus from Gilgal to Bethel, and from Bethel to Jericho, but they decide to tarry in pleasant Jericho (2 Kings 2:19). And Jesus will let you stop there, if that’s as far as you will go. But some will move on to Jordan, where great open displays of God’s power are seen, and then live in that power, looking for the coming of the LORD for us (2 Kings 2:7-15).
If you want the “mantle,” you must have the determination of Elisha. At Gilgal, he was given the choice to stay while Elijah moved on to Bethel, at Bethel, Elisha was given the choice to stay while Elijah moved on to Jericho, at Jericho he was given the choice to stay while Elijah moved on to Jordan, but in every case, Elisha said, “As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee” (2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6). Don’t settle for the blessing of Gilgal, Bethel, or Jericho; go on to the blessing that awaits on the other side of Jordan.
In the valley, kneeling in the shadow of His Cross, I reconfirmed my vow to my Lord Jesus: “As the LORD liveth, and as Thy soul liveth (Revelation 1:18), I will not leave thee.” The Spirit bid me deny myself, take up my cross, and follow” (Luke 9:23) because Jesus was already moving toward the Harvest.
It’s your choice! What will you choose?
Praying for revival! 🙏
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