2 Kings 2:11-12 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire… Clear and distinct as the narration is in my text, both the actual circumstances and their significance have been popularly misconstrued. It is generally assumed that the prophet Elijah ascended in a chariot of fire, with horses of fire, although the. narrative most,, unambiguously, asserts that "Elijah went up by a whirlwind rote heaven. This misconception has hidden from view, or at least obscured, the import of the appearance of the fiery chariot and steeds which appeared at that fateful juncture in the history of these two great prophets; and especially has it veiled the fact that it was not Elijah, but Elisha, who was in sorest need of the celestial chariot at that particular hour. In fine, I may say at once that, while the whirlwind came to transport Elijah to heaven, the chariot and horses of fire were sent to bear Elisha onward in the difficult way which lay before him, now that his leader and master was removed from his side. The dread responsibility which would descend upon his shoulders on the departure of Elijah had been weighing upon his mind as they travelled together. When the sons of the prophets asked him, "Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to-day?" he replied in tense accents, "Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace." It was this new weight of responsibility that led him to seek at the last moment a double portion of the spirit of the departing prophet. To assure him of the Divine presence and power for his mission, he was granted, not only one wonderful glimpse of the translated prophet, but also a vision of the unseen chariots and horses of fire which were to remain as the permanent escort of the new prophet. The chariot and horses of fire "parted them both asunder." As Elijah was snatched out of Elisha's view, the empty space became filled with God's flaming equipage. The eyes that had looked to the prophetic master for direction and encouragement were now fastened upon the embattled might of Jehovah. Elijah had ascended, but the chariots and horses of fire remained. The experience was similar to that of Isaiah when he received his prophetic call. The hopes based upon the good King Uzziah ended with the king's death. Then Isaiah's eyes were opened, and he writes, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple." The Lord God of Elijah remained to bear Elisha to the end of his journey. We have evidence that this vision remained as a permanent force and fact in the life of Elisha. In the sixth chapter of this Second book of Kings we read of Elisha's servant being terrified by the surrounding host of Syrians, and of his receiving inward vision at the prayer of Elisha. "And he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." Clearly, they were the prophet's permanent escort. I am glad to think that these fiery chariots were, not for the translated Elijah, who had but little need of them when he was being ushered into the immediate presence of the Lord of hosts, but for Elisha, whose earthly way needed to be sustained and cheered by an escort from the skies. Many are the mighty dead in whom cur confidence was great. But there is no gap in the world. The vacant spaces are filled with the hosts of God. The Lord of hosts is with us. I. THERE CAN BE NO PROGRESS IN LIFE EXCEPT THROUGH GOD'S CHARIOTS OF FIRE. The only dynamic power is bestowed by invisible forces. We cannot make any real progress without the guidance of God s hand. II. The chariots of fire represent also DIVINE PROTECTION. They declare the presence of the Angel who redeems us from all evil. Through the panoply of science a myriad foes invade our safety. For our journey through the perils of the year we must seek the escort of the mailed hosts of God. III. The chariots of life represent THE IMPARTATION OF STRENGTH. It was a strengthened Elisha that smote the waters of the Jordan with Elijah's mantle, and cried with strenuous energy, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" IV. The chariots of fire are also THE FORCES OF PURIFICATION. To those whom God leads onward He is as a refiner's fire. The true law of the survival of the fittest is the survival of the purified. Without purification, the material of life becomes corrupt as a stagnant fen, and dies of its own self-created malaria. Yet visible fires cleanse not the soul. God is the only Purifier. V. It is further evident THAT THE RENEWAL OF OUR STRENGTH CAN BE OBTAINED ONLY THROUGH THE RENEWAL OF OUR VISION OF THE INVISIBLE GOD. 1. We need a new vision of Divine truth. God is a fire, and His chariots are flame. The vision shows the awful, immutable, all-pervasive energy of righteousness. His truth flames through creation in chariots of fire. 2. We must also have a new vision of the love of God. It is not well to see the infinite truth without beholding also the infinite love. It is impossible to understand the infinite love without having beheld the majesty of infinite truth. Love also is a fire, consuming all selfishness. Love in the heart of God is a fire that has kindled a mystery of sorrow in the temple of the Deity itself. The fires of God's chariots form letters of flame, and the reading is, "God is love." 3. We need a new vision of the nearness of God. His chariots are at hand. Leap into them, and His glory shall be round about you. 4. We need a new vision of God's intensity. God's horsemen linger not. (John Thomas, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. |
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