Reading in the beginning of II Kings, I noticed this pattern:
Elijah, on his way out of the land goes from Gilgal to Bethel (II Kings 2:1-2), Bethel to Jericho (II Kings 2:4), Jericho to cross the Jordan (II Kings 2:6).
Elisha, on his way back in to the land, goes across the Jordan (II Kings 2:13) to Jericho (II Kings 2:18), Jericho to Bethel (II Kings 2:23), Bethel to Samaria vis Mt. Carmel (2:25).
The Israelites, on their way in to the land, go across the Jordan (Josh 3:1ff), battle at Jericho (5:13ff), battle at Ai–”which” it says “is located near Beth Aven, east of Bethel” (7:2)–and from Ai they return to their camp at Gilgal (10:8 ) which they established earlier (5:10).
Though it is a somewhat loose ordering, I’m wondering at the similarity between these passages. The funciton of the Elijah-Elisha connection is obvious (substantiating Elisha as Elijah’s replacement, especially his request for double Elijah’s spirit). The question I am left with, which you can perhaps answer is, “Why the apparent connection between Elijah-Elisha and the Joshua account of entering the land?”
joewulf
cameronwyenberg
ryandavidtopper
dwyenberg
kjudd52
manscout
I think the question to answer first is why you mixed up Elijah and Elisha. Or is that how they have it in the bible you read, aka the Book of Mormon?
Corrected. Thanks Cam. Any thoughts on the question?
To possibly quote something out of context, I was thinking maybe it is showing “a true Israelite in whom there is no wrong.” Elisha and Elijah could be said to follow the steps of those who first settled the land, the forefathers like Joshua who were the only godly men in Israel at the time. The Israelites were God’s only people when they entered the land; Elijah and Elisha are God’s only followers at the time. Eh?
I’m liking where you’re going with that…though I would be careful to romantisize the Joshua era Israelites. Reading the book (Joshua) they don’t exactly appear ideal, however they do at least enter the land. Another good question I think would be that if Elisha’s coming back in alone shows the rebellion of the nation, then why do the 50 prophets wait on the other side of the Jordan for him to come back? Were they not fit be included in this second taking of the land?