The story of Elijah does not end with his whirlwind trip to heaven. Like Enoch, Elijah did not die but was taken to heaven by God.
As told in the lectionary text of 2 Kings 2:1-12:
Just before the Lord took Elijah up to heaven in a windstorm, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. 2 Elijah told Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As certainly as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 Some members of the prophetic guild in Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that today the Lord is going to take your master from you?” He answered, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”
4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he replied, “As certainly as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. 5 Some members of the prophetic guild in Jericho approached Elisha and said, “Do you know that today the Lord is going to take your master from you?” He answered, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”
6 Elijah said to him, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he replied, “As certainly as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they traveled on together. 7 The 50 members of the prophetic guild went and stood opposite them at a distance, while Elijah and Elisha stood by the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, folded it up, and hit the water with it. The water divided, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “What can I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of the prophetic spirit that energizes you?” 10 Elijah replied, “That’s a difficult request! If you see me taken from you, may it be so, but if you don’t, it will not happen.”
11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses appeared. They went between Elijah and Elisha, and Elijah went up to heaven in a windstorm. 12 While Elisha was watching, he was crying out, “My father, my father! The chariot and horsemen of Israel!” Then he could no longer see him. He grabbed his clothes and tore them in two.
Create a 3D effect with this whirlwind craft showing Elijah in the fiery chariot. You can purchase the printable for this craft in the shop.
The story of Elijah and his prophetic ministry on earth ends with a divine escort. The following crafts illustrate that story, God’s defeat of the prophets of Baal, his time with the widow and her son, and God’s provision of food from the ravens.
Additional Crafts
- Fiery Wagon Wheel from Sola Publishing
- Elijah Taken Up to Heaven from Crafting the Word of God
- Elijah and the Prophets of Baal from Crafting the Word of God
- Chariot craft from Jesus Without Language
- Raven (or crow) Clothespin Craft from The Nature of Grace
- Booklets for The Story of Elijah from LambSongs
Elisha does receive the double portion of Elijah’s spirit and continues Elijah’s ministry.
Share these crafts with your kids at home or in your classroom.
