*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*MY FATHER, MY FATHER,...."*
*Scripture Treasure.*
2 Kgs 2:12 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more.
*Insight and Highlight.*
2 Kgs 13:14 *Now Elisha was suffering from the illness from which he died.* *Jehoash, king of Israel, went down to see him and wept over him. "My father! My father!" he cried. "The chariots and horsemen of Israel!"*
*Scripture Commentaries.*
The same statement made by Elisha to Elijah when he was translated by chariots of fire was the same statement made by king Jehoash when he was by Elisha's deathbed.
Elisha must have used this phrase 'My Father', in conjunction with the chariots and horsemen of Israel as a symbol of a warrior and a revelation of God in Elijah and Elisha. By these phrases, they were not only men of God but also God of men
In the same vein was Moses when God said He would make him a god before Pharaoh.
Chariots of fire are God's battle axes they are a flaming fire. Wherever these men are, God was there.
It also represents Elisha's probable fear that since Elijah had gone, what would happen to Israel. This was why he smote Jordan with his mantle, asking, *"Where is the Lord God of Elijah?"...*
He must have been saying that you were with Elijah, "Show me you are with me, and God showed up by splitting the river.
This was also why Jehoash ran to meet Elisha at his death bed with the same phrase.
He must have been saying to Elisha, "Do not go without leaving power, or else Israel would suffer if Elisha did not release power 2 Kings 13:14-21.
God differentiates Elijah's chariots and horses by the fire that accompanied them.
The same fire was passed to Elisha.
There are chariots and horses without the fire of God. When you trust chariots and horses without the fire of God, it is vain, Ps 20:7-8.
These phrases also mean that Elijah and Elisha were the riders, the true and the actual leaders of Israel, than the kings who ruled them. They are referred to as the *"...the chariots and horsemen of Israel!"*
Though each of them was one, yet many. *My father, my father....*, yet is known as *"....chariots and horsemen...*
It was an endorsement of the truth that one with God is many, and *......they that be with us are more than they that be with them.*, 2 Kgs 16:16-17.
*Remorse corner.*
Elijah became a father in whose hands the future of a nation was, and so was Elisha.
*Call to Word action.*
A man of God may be said to be a man but could speak as if God were speaking.
Numb 12: 8 *With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Today, God has made fathers of many. He has made them chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof. In times of old, they were riders, warriors, they led Israel to war, they were fathers to her kings, they knew God's mind for her, directed her affairs and ensured her victory.
*Prayer.*
Lord, make me a father, the chariot of Israel and horsemen thereof for people and nations, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and be blessed as you come into His presence.
God bless you.
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