Elisha Visits Carmel

[Julian of York]

Friends,
I noticed something in my Bible study that I hope will be of interest to you.
In I Kings 18:19, Brother Elijah has gathered the four hundred and fifty priests of Baal,representitives of Israel, four hundred priests of the groves,King Ahab and his staff, to Mount Carmel for a "showdown" with God.This event may be summed up in verse 18:21 "And Elijah said unto all the people,How long halt ye between two opinions?If the Lord be God,follow Him;but if Baal,follow him." God answered Elijah's prayer by fire,and a great demonstration of God's power was the result.
Following this event, Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a chariot of fire, leaving Elisha as the ordained prophet for Israel. Elisha takes up his ministry by striking the Jordan with Elijah's mantle and dividing the waters,
(II Kings 2:14) tarrying at Jericho while the sons of the prophets search for Elijah "just in case" he had been deserted somewhere by the Spirit of God (II Kings 2:16-17 ) curing the lack of water and wells at Jericho by request of the people (II Kings 2:19-20) and while he was walking to Bethel, some children made fun of the man of God and 42 of them were "torn" by two female bears.(II Kings 2:25)
Now,these occurences in the beginning of Elisha's ministry are miracles,but his national ministry to the King of Israel had not started yet. But ,before going to confront the enemy in Samaria, Elisha makes a side trip.
II Kings 2:25 "And he went from thence to mount Carmel,and from thence he returned to Samaria."
Here we see something of interest. Elisha,at the beginning of his ministry, does not take the direct route from Bethel to Samaria,the capitol of Israel.He takes a side trip to Mount Carmel,the location of the greatest event in the ministry of Elijah. We might note:
1)Elisha goes to Carmel to be encouraged in the coming battles of the Lord against Samaria.He sees ,for example,things that Elijah had doubtless told him about. Perhaps he sees the scar on the mountain where the altar of the Lord was burned the water, sacrifice,wood,and stones.He saw the torn down altar of Baal. Perhaps there were still blood marks where the priests of Baal jumped on the altar and made incisions on their flesh to draw the attention of Baal.He might have seen the brook Kishon where the prophets of Baal were slain.I imagine the bloody death of 450 would have left some evidence,even over some time. Still, no doubt God encouraged Elisha for his ministry. We know that this is a common practice with our Lord,where the man of God is placed somewhere alone for his instruction before he begins the work of God. Paul in the desert, Moses in the wilderness, and so forth.

Thanks be to God for opening the Word each and every time we go through the Word. May we be ever alert.

Julian of York

 

[heritage36]

Thanks for sharing this. To be honest I don't think I thought much into these verses until your post made me think I should look at a map, and you are right, that is quite a distance out of the way, pretty much the competely opposite direction. Thanks for your thoughts too on possible motivations for this. It is interesting to consider.

 

[plmarquette]

which is what James refers to in James 5.15 ... and Elisha, was a man similar to us, who prayed...no rain 2.5 years, and then prayed and drought ended...mark 11.23-4 speak to the mountain... marvel not that the olive tree died, I cursed it, I spoke to it...ho ye of little faith, why didn't you speak...

 

[Woldeyesus]

Lo and behold: Elijah is alive and well!

In fact, he was last sighted on the mount of transfiguration, in the company of another living prophet (Moses), testifying about Christ's pre-eminently unique death for the immediate benefit of three disciples (Luke 9: 28-36).

Are we paying attention?