It is instructive to notice, in the case of Elisha and Elijah, and the case of Ruth and Naomi, as well as that of Abraham and Isaac, a phrase used by the Holy Spirit. "And they two went on,"or "both together," in the case of Abraham and Isaac. It pictures to us the devoted disciple and his Leader. No others are before us. These are the actors-others are but onlookers, or (as Orpahs) left behind. It presents to us, beautifully and affectingly, the path of the true disciple, alone with Christ. The disciple himself thinks only of his Master. The onlooker beholds, as it were, just the two-the disciple and the other-Christ, of whom the disciple bears witness. Others may remain at the foot of the hill, like Abraham's young men, or, like the fifty sons of the prophets, may stand to view "afar off," but "the two" went on.

Notice that the words "they two" are first used in the case of Elijah and Elisha when their faces are turned toward the Jordan (in 2 Kings 2:6). Elisha had followed his leader from Gilgal to Bethel, and from Bethel to Jericho, and had left the sons of the prophets behind; and now only the Jordan of death was before them, and immediately and for the first time the words are used "and they two went on." The difference is at once manifest between religious routine and real power. It was the same with Abraham and Isaac, and also with Ruth in following Naomi. Death was faced, and there was the leaving behind all that would naturally be clung to, through confidence in the one that was obeyed or followed.

"And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood to view afar off ; and they two stood by Jordan. Here is a test and a witness for God. There is neither halting nor haste. They face the difficulty before all. It was the same with Israel centuries before. "And Joshua rose early in the morning, and they removed from Shittim (no doubt significant) and came to Jordan-he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. That was the other side of Jordan, just opposite where the prophets stood. The prophets were going by the way of death-the death of the cross in figure, outside the land, "without the camp." And here, the others (the fifty) stopped short. They cluster together. We like company and numbers and popularity, without giving up religion. "They two" looked lonely. The others were looking at them. They were "a spectacle to angels and to men,"-the two, the leader and the follower. It was at such a pass that Peter shrank :" Far be it from Thee, Lord ; this shall not be unto Thee." Peter was still among the fifty. He savored, not the things that were of God, but those that were of men. " For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it."

Elijah and the Lord went outside the land for the same reason, because the nation was not in it according to God. The Lord went outside it and all its religion by the cross, and we are to go forth to Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. Then only can we return to our old circumstances as Elisha came back through the Jordan to his-in the power of God, we as risen with Christ.

Let us abhor that would make us compromise. It will be an infinite loss.

"And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground."

The follower was as safe as his leader. The channel was made bare. They passed by where the twelve stones had been placed five hundred years before by Joshua, when the ark was borne by the priests who "stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan." But these two are now going in the opposite direction ; and only two ! No army-not a nation, with an array of priests and warriors and the ark as of old. That was a type of how God's people are brought into their inheritance, and how we are dead and risen with Christ; but in this case (that of Elisha and Elijah) we have a different lesson, namely, the confession that God's people have failed in their witness, and the one who would be faithful to Christ must act now for himself, not waiting for his dearest friends or religious companions ; he must give up seeking the approval of the religious world, with its routine to promote self-complacency and hinder self-judgment; he must cross the Jordan,-he must put the cross between himself and all that is merely religious without Christ. What a test is here ! who is sufficient to bear it ? How troublesome to have to test by the Word all we are attached to !-so troublesome that the common thing with Christians is to refuse to be troubled about it. The reproach is too much, or the world has so blinded them that they have little or no exercise about bearing their cross and following Christ.

And now they have crossed the Jordan, and "they still went on and talked." It was solemn and joyous converse. The cross has been taken up, and the bliss of communion is being enjoyed-the reward of victory. We know well what they talked about-" the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." (i Pet. 1:11) They were beyond Jordan now, as the Lord was in Luke 24:, with His two companions when He talked with them and said, "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory ?" It was the same on the mount of transfiguration-they spoke of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem, that event of all events when the passing the Jordan would be forever fulfilled. There Elijah is again before us, and the cross is the shame. Brethren, may we follow the Lord for ourselves. It is a matter between one's own soul and Him. Alone with Christ is the Christian's pathway; the only way of true fellowship if with others.
E. S. L.