God separated them – part 2

GOD SEPARATED THEM
Part 2

 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. (2 Kings 2:11 NIV)

Yesterday we talked about how God made a separation between Elijah and Elisha with a purpose: With Elijah it was to take him to heaven and to leave Elisha on earth as his successor. It was a purposeful and empowering separation.

It was a separation:

3. Planned. It was with a purpose. God has previously told Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor.

4. Prepared. It was a separation prepared for success. Elijah trained, equipped, corrected, and taught his successor Elisha.

5. It was a separation made by God. It was not by an emotion or by impulse. Not because of a sin of immorality, nor because of a discussion between a mentor and a disciple.

 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. (2 Kings 2:11 NIV)

Not all separations are bad. Human separations cause pain, destruction, delays, etc. But the separation made by God brings purpose, empowerment, edification, joy, fruits, successors, multiplication, etc.

Think about it:

In what situation have you seen that a separation worked for the better?
Why do you think it is important to prepare a successor?
Who have you thought to multiply yourself with?