Notes for OT Reading 2 Kings 2:1-12

1) Again, I fear that this could use more work, but here goes. My first thought on this passage is that of inheritance. How easily does inherited talent, money, position, expectations weigh on our shoulders?
2) This is a favorite passage among interim pastors, that of transferring a mantle. Yet, the ghost of Elijah still echoes in the tradition. the mantle may be transferred, but it still holds some of those who have gone before. How do we and should we, handle that tension?
3) This has obvious, to me, links to the Enoch story, and his image continued into other religious works. Indeed, by the time of Jesus many thought Moses assumed into heaven, given tha the was not buried, so then they are with Jesus in the Transfiguration.
4) One could go make an interesting narrative style of sermon if one were with the company of the prophets behind the two great men.
5) why do you think that the Jordan figures so prominently in this story?
6) what do you make of Elisha continuing to thwart the words of Elijah?
7) Note the ancient name that El , the old Canaanite word for God is Yah, short for the divine name, or perhaps its base. Elisha=God saves (one sees a piece of messiah in the name)
10) What do you make of the double share, perhaps a reference to the share of the oldest son in inheritance and the response of uncertainty from Elijah?
11) One could usefully compare this story to the story of the still small voice in I Kings 19,
12) In the Dorothy Bass book on spiritual practices, Theologian Amy Planting Pauw wrote of dying well. this could be an excellent entry point for considering that topic.The major cities, possibly cultic sites, could be a way of introducing the topic of ritual into the consideration.they get separated, while they are still walking and talking. One could use famous dying words or a description of needed conversations of family when a loved one was dying. Elisha performs a ritual of mourning at the end of the passage, after all.