Five Stories From Elijah’s Life
Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2:11
Oh the stories of the wonders of God’s power and love that these two men, Elijah and Elisha, could share! Chasing king’s chariots, proving hundreds of false prophets wrong, raising children from the dead, cleansing pots of stew, causing axe heads to float, watching one’s mentor be taken to heaven by fiery chariot, what a ministry!
Yet, being realistic, I must confess that these two prophets went through trials that I would not dare wish upon myself. Elijah, persecuted by Queen Jezebel for nothing but preaching the cold hard truth, was near the point of suicide, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" (1 Kings 19:4)
Elijah, though, was never alone. The LORD God was always at His side, to always support him in life, and finally, to deliver him–only not “in death.” This is the grace of Elijah’s God! Yes, let’s give all credit to the LORD, for that’s what the LORD and His prophet would want. The LORD God, in His mercy, spared Elijah from temporal death, from his soul and body separating. The LORD God gifted His servant by taking him directly to heaven.
This is the type of God Elijah proclaimed, and He’s your God, too! Though He may not use fiery chariots to take you to heaven, He has still saved you through Jesus’ death and resurrection, just as He did with Elijah. One day, when our eyelids close in death, we will be in a place with no more sorrow or tears, delivered to our eternal rest, to stand with Elijah in worshipping our Savior God.
So, whene’er the signal’s given
Us from earth to call away,
Borne on angels’ wings to heaven,
Glad the summons to obey.
May we ever, may we ever,
Reign with Christ in endless day!
The Lutheran Hymnal 50:3