Elijah

Summary

---

Renewing Your Mind – "Elijah"

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind (Ligonier Ministries)
Episode: Elijah
Date: September 22, 2025
Speaker: Dr. R.C. Sproul

---

Overview

In this episode, Dr. R.C. Sproul examines the life and legacy of Elijah, focusing especially on the closing hours of the prophet’s life as recorded in 2 Kings 2. Using Elijah's transition to heaven and the passing of his mantle to Elisha, Dr. Sproul unpacks the weight and responsibility of spiritual leadership amid adversity, the cost of prophetic ministry, and the enduring need for courageous faithfulness within the visible church. Dr. Sproul invites listeners to see themselves in the inheritance of this biblical story and challenges them to “pick up the mantle” in their contexts today.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Set-Up: The Significance of Elijah

• Dr. Sproul begins by placing Elijah at “the head of the historical line of the prophets,” alongside Moses—the mediator of the Law—highlighting Elijah’s foundational role in Israel’s prophetic tradition.
• Quote (R.C. Sproul, 02:07):
  “It’s not by accident that when Christ was at the mount of Transfiguration that He was joined there in that transfigured splendor by two characters from the Old Testament: Moses and Elijah.”

2. Focus on Elijah’s Final Hours (2 Kings 2)

• Dr. Sproul narrows the study to Elijah’s last actions on earth, accompanied by Elisha, who refuses to leave his mentor’s side despite repeated urging.

• The narrative tension reflects Elisha’s eager, even impetuous loyalty.

  Memorable Exchange:

  • Elisha’s persistent refusal to stay behind:
    Quote (R.C. Sproul, 04:31):
    “He loves his Master. He’s not going to leave him for one minute. He said, you know, as the Lord liveth and as your soul liveth, Elijah, you… I’m going with you. Whether thou goest, I will go.”

3. Elisha’s Request for a Double Portion

• As Elijah prepares to depart, he asks Elisha for a final request. Elisha replies, “Let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”
• Dr. Sproul explores possible motives for this unusual request, ultimately positing that Elisha understood the immense suffering and responsibility that accompanied Elijah’s ministry.
• Quote (R.C. Sproul, 06:12):
  “May I have a double portion of the Spirit that is upon you?”
• Dr. Sproul emphasizes the gravity of the ministry’s demands, referencing Jesus’ principle:
  Quote (R.C. Sproul, 16:32):
  “To whom much is given, much is required. I don’t want twice the spirit that was on Elijah, no thank you. Because that would mean twice the pain and the price of obedience.”

4. Elijah’s Suffering and Faithfulness

• The teaching describes Elijah’s lonely stand for God during Israel’s darkest days under Ahab and Jezebel.

• Elijah faced immense hardship: living as an exile, persecution, times of deep loneliness (“the Elijah syndrome”), and confrontation with false prophets on Mount Carmel.

• Dr. Sproul underscores that bold ministry often leads to isolation or misunderstanding:

  Quote (R.C. Sproul, 13:41):
  “O Lord, they have broken your covenant. They have torn down your altars, they have slain your prophets. And I, I alone am left… That's the Elijah syndrome.”

• Yet God assures Elijah he is not truly alone but has preserved a faithful remnant.

5. The Dramatic Chariot of Fire and the Mantle

• The episode climaxes with Elijah’s ascension in a whirlwind, chariots and horses of fire appearing, and Elisha witnessing the event as the sign of receiving his request.
• Elisha’s grief and awe are palpable:
  • Quote (R.C. Sproul, 17:34): “And Elisha begins to cry, ‘My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof! Look, Elijah, look. Do you see what I see?’ And by that time, Elijah was gone.”
• The key symbolic moment is the passing of Elijah’s mantle:
  • Quote (R.C. Sproul, 20:21):
    “Leave the mantle by the river and go home to your oxen and to your farm. That was the choice that faced Elisha. If he picks it up, it’s the cross.”

6. Application: “Pick Up the Mantle” Today

• Dr. Sproul presses listeners to consider the state of the visible church and to heed the call to spiritual stewardship despite cost and cultural discouragement.
  • Quote (R.C. Sproul, 21:53):
    “We need people today who will open the Jordan river and lead the people of Christ across. We need a new Moses. We need a new Elisha who will pick up that mantle and live and die for the purity of the visible church. ...Pick it up, friend. We have to pick it up.”

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the loneliness and suffering of ministry:
  "It was Elijah who lived in caves. And it was ministered to not by the angels, but by... ravens, crows, not seraphim, crows." (R.C. Sproul, 09:52)
• On the “Elijah Syndrome”:
  "He experienced what has since been called the Elijah syndrome … when he was so frustrated and so discouraged because everywhere he went, he saw the religion of his fathers completely prostitute, unbelief everywhere, pagan practices in the midst of the church." (R.C. Sproul, 13:16)
• Elijah’s challenge to the culture:
  "He was the man who by himself, took on all of the false prophets of the culture alone. Not without its bad effects, even on this holy man."(R.C. Sproul, 12:44)
• On inheriting ministry:
  “If he leaves the mantle there and he walks away, he can go home and he can live in peace, happily, forever after. … If he picks it up, it’s the cross.” (R.C. Sproul, 20:21)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:36] Introduction to Elijah and his role in the prophetic tradition
• [03:17] Elisha’s relationship to Elijah; the impending departure
• [04:29] Elisha’s determination not to leave Elijah
• [06:02] Elisha’s request for a double portion
• [08:17] Context: Elijah during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel
• [09:52] Elijah’s exile; “fed by ravens”
• [11:59] Confrontation with prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel
• [13:16] Elijah’s despair and loneliness: “Elijah syndrome”
• [16:32] The cost of ministry: “To whom much is given, much is required”
• [17:20] Elijah taken up by the chariot of fire
• [18:50] Elisha receives Elijah’s mantle; moment of decision
• [21:53] Dr. Sproul’s charge: Our need for contemporary “Elishas”

---

Conclusion

Dr. Sproul’s teaching on Elijah both inspires and challenges. Through narrative exploration and personal application, he depicts the prophet’s remarkable faith, loneliness, and absolute reliance on God—culminating in the handover of Elijah’s mantle to Elisha. Dr. Sproul’s repeated exhortation is clear: just as Elisha picked up the mantle, contemporary believers must continue the prophetic ministry—pursuing faithfulness and purity for the sake of the visible church, regardless of the personal cost.

---

Recommended Next Episode:
Next, Dr. Sproul will address the prophet Jeremiah (“the Weeping Prophet”), exploring how faithful ministry is often marked by sorrow and challenge, yet remains rooted in hope.

---

Transcript

[R.C. Sproul]

He picks up that mantle and he becomes a steward of the Word of God. We need a new Elisha who will pick up that mantle and live and die for the purity of the visible church. And sometimes it seems as though today that mantle is lying in the dust and is being trampled underfoot.

[Podcast Host]

The Bible is the account of God's work to redeem a people for himself. But as we read about the lives of the men and women used by the Lord, not only do these stories teach us about who God is, they can instruct us in who we are and how we are called to live faithfully for Christ. Welcome to the Monday edition of Renewing youg Mind. And this week you'll hear messages from a series that hasn't been featured on Renewing youg Mind for many years. It's called Great Men to Live by, and it's a series that greatly helped me as R.C. sproul surveyed the lives of the Old Testament prophets. You can listen to the entire 13 part series and add it to your library when you donate this week at renewingyourmind.org or when you call us at 800-435-4343. There's more in this resource package, but I'll tell you about that at the end of today's message. To start this series off, first recorded in 1979, here's R.C. sproul on the prophet Elijah.

[R.C. Sproul]

And in this session I'd like to introduce the prophets themselves by looking at the man who stands at the head of the historical line of the prophets. You know, when we look at the Old Testament so often, we'll divide the Old Testament into the Law and the prophets. And when we think of the giving.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Of the Law, we think immediately of.

[R.C. Sproul]

Home of Moses, who was the mediator of the Old Covenant. But when we think of the prophets.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

I think immediately of that one who.

[R.C. Sproul]

Really began the prophetic tradition in Israel and his name was Elijah. It's not by accident that when Christ was at the mount of Transfiguration that he was joined there in that transfigured splendor by two characters from the Old Testament. Do you remember Moses and Elijah? Now Elijah's life is one that is brilliant and awesome.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

But what I want to do in.

[R.C. Sproul]

This time together is to consider not the whole scope of his life, but the last few hours of his life on this planet. And it's recorded for us in the second chapter of 2 Kings. And we begin at verse one. And it came to pass when the.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Lord would take up Elijah into heaven.

[R.C. Sproul]

By a whirlwind that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. Now remember, Elisha had been called to be the student or the disciple of Elijah.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

And Elisha had been the servant of of his Master.

[R.C. Sproul]

He had studied at his feet, and he was preparing himself to follow in the tradition of Elijah. And now we read in chapter 2 of 2 Kings that God is about to take Elijah out of the world. Remember, Elijah didn't die, but he was taken up into heaven. And so the announcement is made that the time for his departure is at hand.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

And so Elijah said to Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee, for the Lord.

[R.C. Sproul]

Has sent me to Bethel.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

And Elisha said unto him, as the Lord lives and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.

[R.C. Sproul]

So they went down to Bethel.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Now, this first exchange between the Master.

[R.C. Sproul]

And the student is a little bit puzzling. Scriptures don't tell us why. Elijah said to Elisha, please stay here. I have to go to Beth El. You stay here. I beg you to stay here. Elijah had been training Elisha all these years for this task. And yet when the moment comes, he wants to leave him. And he begs him to stay behind.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

But Elisha is impetuous.

[R.C. Sproul]

He's impulsive. He's young.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

He loves his Master. He's not going to leave him for one minute. He said, you know, as the Lord liveth and as your soul liveth. Elijah, you. I'm going with you. Whether thou goest, I will go. I'll chase you across Bethel. I'll go to Jericho. I'll go to the Jordan, where. And so on it goes. And so Elijah lets him go. And then, of course, whenever they get there, then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out. And they say to Elisha, don't you.

[R.C. Sproul]

Know that the Lord is going to take your Master away from you this day? And Elisha says, yes, I know that. Hold your peace. Now, that's a euphemism for shut up. Just never mind. I know what's going on. And so now Elijah says to him again, now look, it was nice that you came with me to Bethel, but now I have to go to Jericho. Please stay here. Elijah says, nothing doing. As the Lord liveth as you, I'm going. So the same thing happens. They get there, and the sons of the prophets come. And they say, hey, Elisha, do you know what today is?

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Don't you know that the Lord is.

[R.C. Sproul]

Going to take your Master away from you today? Elijah said, yes, I know that. Hold your peace. And so Elijah comes to again. He Said, okay, I'll let you go to Bethel. I'll let you go to Jericho. Now stay here, please. I'm going to the Jordan. Nope. As the Lord liveth this, your soul liveth.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

I'm going to the Jordan. So they go to the Jordan.

[R.C. Sproul]

And when they came to The Jordan, verse 9, and passed over, Elijah said.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

To Elisha, ask what I shall do.

[R.C. Sproul]

For thee before I be taken away from thee? And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. Here the teacher is leaving, and he gives his student one last request. And what does Elisha ask for? May I have a double portion of the Spirit that is upon you? The Bible doesn't tell us why he asked for that. Again, we can only speculate, and I'd like to do that for a few moments.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

It could be that Elisha was all excited about the fact that his master was the most famous prophet in Israel. And Elisha kind of liked all that recognition. And he says, whatever it is that you have, I want to have twice that amount. If you've made it big, I want to make it even bigger. You're a household name in Israel. Everybody talks about Elijah.

[R.C. Sproul]

If I have twice the Spirit, that's on you. I can be the most famous fella since Abraham. I don't think that's why he asked for a double measure. Remember, Elisha had walked in the footsteps of his master. He knew the history of the man, he knew the greatness of the man, and he knew the source of the man's power. But I think what Elisha understood more than anything else about Elijah was the unbelievable suffering that Elijah had sustained throughout his life and ministry. It was Elijah, as we've mentioned, who stood at the beginning of the prophetic tradition.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

It was Elijah who looked at the sins of the nation of Israel who were now living through their most wicked period of their history under the kingship not of David, nor of Solomon, but who? Ahab, who had married a pagan priestess.

[R.C. Sproul]

Whose name is synonymous with infamy. Her name was Jezebel.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

And between the two of them, they had entered the Jewish state into an unprecedented period of ungodliness and corruption. And when Elijah witnessed what was happening to the church, he wept. And like many of us, I'm sure he felt, what can one man do?

[R.C. Sproul]

But God anointed him with his spirit.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

And the man, as an exile banished from working in society, went out. And he prayed that God would bring judgment upon his own people, not to destroy them. Not because Elijah hated the household of faith. But because he knew that unless God.

[R.C. Sproul]

Chastened his people that they would repudiate the covenant altogether. So he prayed that it would not rain. And pretty soon the brooks and the streams began to dry up as no rain fell from heaven. It was Elijah, you remember, who lived in caves.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

And it was ministered to not by.

[R.C. Sproul]

The angels, but by.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

But whose companions were those messengers of mercy that God sent to him, who.

[R.C. Sproul]

Were ravens, crows, not seraphim, crows. The crows brought him things to eat and water to drink. Once upon a midnight weary, quoth the raven. Nevermore. That was what he looked at. I mean, Edgar Allan Poe had a hero that goes crazy just because a raven comes in and sits over the bus on his door for a few minutes. Elijah gets up in the morning, there's the ravens, the ravens in the morning, ravens in the afternoon. That's it.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Then, finally, he is led to this widow that ministers to him again. But in the midst of that, her son dies. And it is Elijah who prostrates himself on the boy's corpse and brings him back to life.

[R.C. Sproul]

It is Elijah who confronts the king.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

And when Ahab finally meets him for.

[R.C. Sproul]

The first time, do you remember what Ahab said to him?

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Elijah, is it thou who troubles Israel? You are the one that's stirring up all the controversy, all the trouble creating all of this disunity and disruption in the land. It is the who trouble with Israel.

[R.C. Sproul]

Elijah replied, no, okay, it is not me. It is you, because you have broken the commandments of our God. You are the one who troubles Israel. And then, of course, it was Elijah who challenged the false prophets, the prophets.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Of baal, to a moment of confrontation, all of them and all of their power against Elijah by himself on Mount Carmel. Do you remember? And how God answered the prayer of Elijah while all of the priests of BAAL went through their holy machinations and their liturgical rites trying to get God to answer from heaven. And Elijah stood on the sidelines and let them go. And the more they cried, the quieter God. And finally he jived him a little bit, and he says, hey, call a little louder. Maybe your God's sleeping. Maybe he's out to lunch, you know, maybe he's taking a nap. Speak up, boys. Nothing happened. And then when Elijah prayed, God answered from heaven. He was the man who by himself, took on all of the false prophets.

[R.C. Sproul]

Of the culture alone. Not without its bad effects, even on this holy man. Elijah slipped in for a time into a kind of religious paranoia that happens to people who live for the purity of the church. And he experienced what has since been called the Elijah syndrome, affectionately named after this prophet of God, when he was so frustrated and so discouraged because everywhere he went, he saw the religion of.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

His fathers completely prostitute, unbelief everywhere, pagan.

[R.C. Sproul]

Practices in the midst of the church. So he goes into his lamentation when.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

He says, o Lord, they have broken your covenant. They have torn down your altars, they have slain your prophets. And I, I alone am left.

[R.C. Sproul]

Huh. You ever felt like that?

[Audience Member or Narrator]

I'm the only one left. Well, maybe both of us are left, but I'm beginning to wonder about you. That's the Elijah syndrome.

[R.C. Sproul]

And he looked for God to speak to him first in the fire and in the earthquake. But then God spoke to him in the still, small voice. And when he did speak to him, what did he say? No, Elijah, you are not alone. But I have reserved for myself 7,000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Now, Elijah was bold and courageous, and he was alone most of the time, and he certainly felt alone all of the time. But unbeknownst to him, God throughout his church, had preserved a remnant of faithful people, 7,000.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Which could become an army.

[R.C. Sproul]

To bring the Reformation to Israel that was so desperately needed. It was Elijah who took on Jezebel and Ahab both over the treachery that was perpetrated over Naboth's vineyard. Remember that makes the Abscan controversy look like a Sunday school picnic. And now, at the end of his life, he stands here and he says to his student, ask what you will. I'm convinced that Elisha, knowing the life of Elijah, said, I can't believe that.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Any man, even one anointed by the Holy Ghost, could be so faithful and so consistent and so loving and so pure, all at the same time when the whole nation hated them. And if you want me to walk in that tradition, then I've got to have twice the spirit that sustained you.

[R.C. Sproul]

And Elijah said to him, you are asking for a hard thing. Hard in what way? Hard to grant, perhaps, or burdensome to receive. I wonder if Elisha realized in his impetuosity that if God were pleased to pour a double measure of his Spirit upon Elisha, I wonder if he knew the principle that Jesus taught later.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

To whom much is given, much is required. I don't want twice the spirit that was on Elijah. No, thank you.

[R.C. Sproul]

Because that would mean twice the pain and the price of obedience. He said, you've asked for a hard thing.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee. But if not it shall not be so. And it came to pass as they still went on and they talked. Behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

[R.C. Sproul]

You know, the spiritual swing low. SWEET CHEERING Coming forth to carry me home. I looked over Jordan, and what did I see coming forth to carry a band of angels coming after me. It's taken from this episode in the.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Life of Elijah, where Elijah and Elisha are walking down. And suddenly the sky lights up and the Shekinah glory of God shines all over the place. And chariots of fire and horses of fire. And the whirlwind comes down and swoops Elijah up and takes him out of his sight. And as he ascends, Elisha sees it, and he remembers what Elijah says. If you see me go, then you shall have the double portion. And Elisha begins to cry, my father. My father. The chariot of Israel and the horsemen there. Look, Elijah, look. Do you see what I see? And by that time, Elijah was gone. He didn't just see it, it was coming for him. He's gone. And then, in characteristic understatedness, the author.

[R.C. Sproul]

Of Two Kings passes over what to my mind must have been the most dramatic moment in the whole thing.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Elisha saw it, Cried my father.

[R.C. Sproul]

My father. The chariot and the horsemen.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

And he saw him no more. And he took a hold of his own clothes and he rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of.

[R.C. Sproul]

Elijah that fell from him and went back and stood by the bank of Jordan.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Now, I read that text.

[R.C. Sproul]

It seems to me that what happens is he sees Elijah go.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

He tears his garments, walks over and casually picks up the mantle, slings it.

[R.C. Sproul]

Over his shoulder and gets on with the ministry, right? I don't believe it. How many of you ever saw the robe, Lord? C. Douglas the story of the insane emperor Caligula and the tormented Roman centurion that stood at the foot of the cross, who were utterly tormented and haunted by the memory of Jesus. And that when the robe of Christ was put in their presence, they shrunk in horror from it.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

They covered their eyes. It was like the robe itself were.

[R.C. Sproul]

Alive and they couldn't stand it. Remember, I have to believe that when Elisha walked over there and looked at that mantle, that all that was left of Elijah, that this was his moment of truth. If he leaves the mantle there and he walks away, he can go home and he can live in peace, happily, forever after.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

Leave the mantle by the river and.

[R.C. Sproul]

Go home to your oxen and to your farm. That was the choice that faced Elisha. If he goes home and sleeps in the prophetic tradition of Israel is over. If he picks it up, it's the cross. I just don't believe he went over there in a cavalier manner and just snatched it up and threw it over his shoulder and walked away. I believe that he walked over there and he stared at that thing. And he stared at that thing. And then when he stooped over to pick it up, his hands was shaking. He knew he wasn't worthy. Nobody's worthy to wear a mantle like that except Christ. He was a man. He was a sinner. He picks up that manual and he becomes a steward of the Word of God. But he picked it up.

[Audience Member or Narrator]

He took the mantle of Elijah by the banks of the Jordan and he smote the waters. And he said, where is the Lord God of Elijah? When he had also smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither, and Elisha was went over.

[R.C. Sproul]

We need people today who will open the Jordan river and lead the people of Christ across. We need a new Moses. We need a new Elisha who will pick up that mantle and live and die for the purity of the visible church. We can't be prophets in the strict sense, but together we are called to participate in the prophetic ministry. And sometimes it seems as though today that mantle is lying in the dust and is being trampled underfoot. Pick it up, friend. We have to pick it up.

[Podcast Host]

That was R.C. sproul. And I'm thankful for the many decades of ministry in which he faithfully stewarded the word of God. You're listening to Renewing youg mind. And Dr. Sproul first launched this outreach in 1994 to help you know the Word of God and the God of the Word so that by God's grace you wouldn't be conformed to this world, but that your mind would be more and more renewed. That by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Today's message on the Prophet Elijah is from RC Sproul series Great Men to Live By. And you can have lifetime streaming access to this 13 part series when you donate today at renewingyourmind.org or by calling the Ligonier team at 800-435-4343. Your gift will help extend the reach of renewing your mind and fuel the global outreach of Ligonier Ministries. To thank you for your donation. In addition to access to this series will send you Dr. Sproul's deep dive on the life of Joseph. It's a hardcover book titled From Dreamer to Deliverer. So that's a 13 part series and a hardcover book. When you donate at renewingyourmind.org or by using the link in the podcast Show Notes for our global listening audience. There is also a digital only version of this week's offer waiting for [e-mail] it's so encouraging to see the growth of Renewing youg Mind as new listeners follow the podcast each week. So if you have never contacted Ligonier Ministries before, we have a free gift for you. Simply go to renewingyourmind.org holiness and request your free copy of R.C. sproul's popular book, the Holiness of God. By God's grace, this book has been used to transform countless lives as he introduces us to the majestic holiness of God and how this biblical truth should change how we think, live and worship. This is a one day opportunity. So again, if you have never contacted us before, request your free [e-mail] Holiness Before Midnight Tonight as you speak to friends or loved ones about the Gospel, the good news, and you begin with the bad news. Do you share the warning and the severity of hell with joy and a smirk? Or do you share the reality of eternal judgment for the unrepentant with tears? Next time, RC Sproul gives us an overview of one of his heroes, the prophet Jeremiah, often called the Weeping Prophet. That'll be Tuesday here on Renewing your Mind.

[R.C. Sproul]

Sam.