Elisha's Support Group

2 Kings 2 (Revised Standard Version)

[1] Now when the LORD was about to take Eli'jah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Eli'jah and Eli'sha were on their way from Gilgal. [2] And Eli'jah said to Eli'sha, "Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Eli'sha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. 

[3] And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Eli'sha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he said, "Yes, I know it; hold your peace." [4] Eli'jah said to him, "Eli'sha, tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho.

[5] The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Eli'sha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know it; hold your peace." [6] Then Eli'jah said to him, "Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on.

[7] Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 

[8] Then Eli'jah took his mantle, and rolled it up, and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.

[9] When they had crossed, Eli'jah said to Eli'sha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Eli'sha said, "I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit."[10] And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so."

 

[11] And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Eli'jah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. [12] And Eli'sha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two pieces.

[13] And he took up the mantle of Eli'jah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. [14] Then he took the mantle of Eli'jah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Eli'jah?" And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other; and Eli'sha went over. 

We may be overwhelmed with grief when a dear friend, loved one, or mentor leaves us or is taken from us. Such parting may be by death or by moving away; it may thus be physical separation. And/or it may be emotional, mental separation and ending; some real or perceived betrayal, violation or offense may destroy love, trust, friendship. Especially tragic and unnatural to us can be the gradual deterioration of mental and physical capacities, or personality, caused by disease, age, injury. Appending Shakespeare, parting is only such sweet sorrow when it is temporary, as between lovers; but permanent loss leaves desolation; and a long process of losing, of dreading, and fearing, and watching, and wondering, and knowing, can be devastating. 

As a human being, and in ministry, I have experienced grief and grieving. Sixty-five years ago my father warned me that my beloved grandmother, ill with the very same heart issues that I had recently but that in those days were untreatable, would soon die. Although the loss was crushing for me, knowing that it was coming was helpful to me; and the entire experience strengthened me for living: I found out that I could make it. Several years ago, our son’s wife Patty died after a long fight with cancer; we have come through that, we have made it, even Joe and Lauren. Experience strengthens, it really does, especially, somehow, experiences that we would never have chosen. Having others around also is strengthening and encouraging, especially others who know.

When our Patty was suffering and dying, we were hundreds of miles away and the sense of distance and of helplessness, being able to do nothing, was terrible. For myself then, needing to do something for myself personally, I read everything I could lay my hands on about grief and grieving, and I learned about the importance of others around me, of grief support and grief support groups and support counselors. Knowing my own hurting, and seeing grieving among several of my parishioners, I decided to offer a grief support group; and several joined and came. My observation was that it helped them, and my experience was that it helped me. Since then, since returning home to Holy Nativity, I have offered grief support groups and seen that sharing with others who also were grieving is helpful, comforting, assuring. In the lesson from 2 Kings, this fantastical story of Elijah and Elisha, I notice that it is also scriptural.

Knowing that his end is at hand, Elijah takes Elisha to others, friends and neighbors, other prophets. He knows that before the day is over, Elisha will be grief-stricken and will need encouragement, support. In the fantastical story of Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind of horses of fire and a chariot of fire, we may not notice that others who understand and also are grieving, fifty other prophets are on the other side of the Jordan, waiting for Elisha. That’s Elisha’s support group.

Is there a "lesson" in the Old Testament story for next Sunday? Don't just be dazzled by the flames. Notice the details in the background: help is waiting.

TW+