Reading for September 2nd

Read 2 Kings 2.1-12 In 2.1-12: The translation of Elijah. The stoies inthis chapter fall outside of the standard wording that marks the beginning and ending of the reigns of the kings, called regnal formulas (1.17-18; 3.1), which may indicate that they along with other stories about the prophets, are later additions tot he Deuteronomistic History. In verse 1: The only other person in the Bible who was taken up into heaven without dying was Enoch (Gen5.24). In verse 3: The company of the prophets, literally "the sons of the prophets," were followers of the prophets, perhaps even a guild or school of prophets. They were also aware, perhaps through prophetic agency,that the Lord will take Elijah away. In verse 8: Elijah's mantle is a symbol of his power as a prophet (see 1.8; Zech 13.4), which Elisha will inherit (2.13). His division of the Jordan here is reminiscent of Moses' division of the Red Sea (Ex 14.21-22) and and Joshua's division of the Jordan (Josh 3.13-17). In verse 9: Double sharedoes not mean twice as much as Elijah but the portion of the first-born son (deut 21.17), or two-thirds. In verse 12Elisha calls Elijah his father out of respect for his teacher, not because there is a blood relationship betweent hem. The chariots of israel and itshorsemen may allude to the image of the Lord as commander of the heavenly armies ("Yahweh shbaoth," "The Lord of Host"; see 6.17). Comments or Questions..