1 and 2 Kings is a great example of Hebrew literature at its finest. Replete are the layers of meaning, communicating several different themes and concepts, each existing at different levels within the text. It provides fodder for thought that increases with depth, yet surprises and delights us even at the most superficial level. Unfortunately, some of these connections are harder to see with the myriad translations the Bible has undergone from Hebrew to English.
Again, 2 Kings 2:9-22 loses some of its depth when read isolated from the rest of the narrative, but 2:1-8, in particular. Imagine Elisha, destined to take on the mantle of Elijah, following him and hearing the taunts of the other prophets: "Today, Elijah will be taken from you," to which he responds, "I know, I know - shut up," though neither God nor Elijah have said anything to this effect. It seems this is more of a playground taunt between children than prophets giving an indication of what is about to happen. Elisha, who receives taunts from other prophets, and is made fun of (even by a group of unfortunate mischevious boys who is mauled by bears), seems to be the last to know what is about to happen. I wonder if, looking back, he sees the red thread connecting the past so that he's able to see all of the signs along the way.
It is said that hindsight is 20/20. Many of us, when distanced from a particular situation, see with clarity the mistakes we made and all of the detours we took along the way. It is tempting to fool ourselves into believing that we would not have taken all of the detours nor would we have made all of the mistakes if we had to do it all over again. Paul, in some ways, appeals to this in Acts by pointing out all of the signs God had provided through Moses and the prophets, that a Messiah would come. Hindsight may be 20/20, but it strains our necks and prevents us from seeing Christ among us in the here and now.
It is true: God has a habit of saving God's people, of being faithful in the face of peoples' unfaithfulness, of turning toward God's people even when they have turned away, of saving God's people though they fancy themselves able to attain salvation. This said, I have become convinced that it is on the detours and through our mistakes, that we learn the true nature of God. God doesn't wait for us to get it right, to stop screwing up, to come and dwell among us. God comes in the midst of our mistakes, in the winding paths of our detours, and journeys with us. Fancying ourselves able to reach God, God reaches toward us. Imagining we are able to attain our own salvation, God saves us in spite of ourselves. Wishing to be made righteous through the law or by works, God gives us the righteousness of Christ to which we cling. Pretending that we are able to earn grace, God gives it to us as a free gift. It is through this free gift we see forward and back, having already been assured of our salvation, we cling to the salvation which we will meet at our final breath.
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