Who Will Now Pick Up His Cloak?

Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him... 2 Kings 2:13

In 2 Kings 2, Elijah is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, leaving Elisha, his trainee, behind. Elisha had shown his dedication and wisdom, but now he would be taking Elijah's role as prophet to the rebellious people of Israel. The focus of this poem is not only Elisha taking up Elijah's cloak, both literally and metaphorically, but discipleship as a whole and who we are investing in to join us and continue the work of God.

In the days of Second Kings

When people sought ungodly things,

Evil, duplicity, idolatry demanded

One who’d declare what God had commanded.

Elijah, though wise, soon would be taken,

But God wouldn’t fail an heir to awaken,

One who would His words proclaim,

Care for His people, honor His Name.

A few professed the prophet’s title,

But fewer possessed that which was vital:

Faith in God’s power (trust in His defense)

And in His truth full confidence.

One man—Elisha—did He find

Who to follow Him was inclined.

He slaughtered his oxen, forsook his trade,

And of impending trouble was unafraid.

He chose to go without persuading.

He knew the loss of faithless waiting.

Elijah then trained him in the Ways

Until suddenly, a chariot ablaze

Rushed Elijah to heaven, from earth to depart,

Left Elisha his garments to tear apart.

For he had been left behind

With the rest of humankind.

But see! What’s this here on the ground?

Robe inapt for one heaven-bound;

But for him on earth, duty and power.

Faithful until that final hour,

Elijah boldly for God spoke:

Who will now pick up his cloak?

Elisha then cast but a glance

And thought that he might perchance

Suffice for the noble task

With the portion for which he’d dared to ask.

He knew there’d be challenges ahead

Not in Elijah’s but God’s stead—

Idolatry, siege, children scorning,

Upsetting indifference to His warning,

Revolt, famine, apostasy,

A greedy servant with leprosy.

While rulers conquer and flaunt their might,

He seeks honor in God’s sight.

While some are extoled for wicked creeds,

He humbly serves in hidden deeds:

The oil flows for a prophet’s wife.

A Shunammite’s son is raised to life.

Healing the dead, feeding God’s men—

Tell me, what has changed since then?

In a time when evil is labeled good,

And each does what he thinks he should,

With man’s finite reason considered fact,

God’s authority is attacked.

His people, attracted by claims to rights,

Mingle with the Shechemites.

Causing their jealous Father anguish,

They, for lack of knowledge, languish.

Our forefathers fought the foes of their age;

Who today will scoffers engage?

Preach the cross carried, Christ’s light yoke:

Who will now pick up their cloak?

But who will defy future offenses?

Ought we now to teach defenses?

We know no one lives forever;

One day will soul and body sever.

Who will then our Christ defend?

Who will for holy faith contend?

We cannot provide a decent excuse

If we in folly fail to produce

They who will the truth reveal

In wisdom, service, and ordered zeal,

Pursue good, and from evil abstain,

And not be tempted by earthly gain

But to their God all honor render;

For their Messiah is no pretender.

May we all seek to in Christ abide,

Never yielding to imprudent pride,

Exalting man like Babel’s Tower,

Claiming the rank, denying the Power;

One may claim to be heaven’s heir,

But self-deception may ensnare.

“Examine yourselves”—Are you in the fold?

An arduous thing it is to be told—

As that splendid future fades from view—

“Depart from Me. I never knew you.”

Preparing more to disciple, save,

Let us now their future pave,

Train them to answer those who seek:

Who will for the next generation speak?

Who will then God’s Law invoke?

Who will then pick up your cloak?