This is an interesting question that comes up when reading 2 Chronicles 21:12-15, where we see that Elijah wrote a letter to King Jehoram years after he was taken up to heaven. To understand this, we need to look at the chronology of events and clarify some common misconceptions.
The Chronology of Elijah’s Ministry
First, a quick overview of the timeline of Elijah’s life and ministry:
– Elijah confronts wicked King Ahab and pronounces a drought in Israel (1 Kings 17:1).
– God miraculously provides for Elijah during the drought (1 Kings 17:2-16).
– Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal in a showdown on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:16-40).
– Elijah flees from Jezebel’s threats and God encourages him at Horeb (1 Kings 19).
– Elijah anoints Elisha as his successor (1 Kings 19:19-21).
– Elijah confronts Ahab over his theft of Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:17-24).
– Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind as Elisha watches (2 Kings 2:1-14).
The key point is that Elijah’s ministry lasted several years spanning the reigns of Ahab and his son Ahaziah. He was taken up to heaven sometime after Ahaziah took the throne (853 BC) but before Jehoram succeeded him (852 BC).
Clarifying the Timing of Elijah’s Letter
This means when we get to 2 Chronicles 21, Elijah had already been taken to heaven. Jehoram began reigning over the southern kingdom of Judah in 853 BC (2 Kings 8:16-17). The letter from Elijah came sometime within Jehoram’s reign, which lasted from 853-841 BC (2 Chronicles 21:1).
So the letter came at least a year or two after Elijah had ascended to heaven. This initially seems confusing, but makes sense when we consider a few factors:
– The author of 2 Chronicles knew Elijah was gone, but attributes the letter to him because it carried on his prophetic legacy.
– The letter may have been written by Elisha or another prophet in Elijah’s name.
– God could have revealed the contents of the letter to Elisha or another prophet after Elijah’s departure.
– The timing is not definitive – the letter may have been written shortly before Elijah’s departure while Jehoram was already co-reigning.
So in summary, the letter came after Elijah was in heaven, but was associated with his name and carried on his mission. The exact details are not specified, but there are reasonable explanations for how this could occur. The bottom line is God continued speaking through prophets after Elijah.
The Message and Purpose of Elijah’s Letter
The letter contains a strong rebuke against King Jehoram for his wickedness:
“Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel…behold, the Lord will bring a great plague on your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions…” (2 Chronicles 21:12-14).
It warns that God will punish Jehoram for leading the people into idolatry. The people had been blessed under Jehoshaphat’s reign, but Jehoram did evil and caused great harm (2 Chronicles 21:6-7; 21:10).
The letter served to:
– Reaffirm God’s commitment to judge wickedness.
– Confront the specific sins of Jehoram.
– Warn Jehoram to repent.
– Remind Judah of Elijah’s legacy as a spiritual leader.
– Prepare for the fulfillment of God’s word under Elisha.
Though delivered after his departure, the letter powerfully carried on Elijah’s mission by speaking truth to power and calling people to repentance.
How the Letter was Delivered
The passage itself does not specify exactly how the letter was delivered. Here are some possibilities:
– Elisha, Elijah’s successor, wrote it and had it sent directly to Jehoram.
– Elisha prophetically delivered the message orally and it was recorded in written form later.
– Another prophet wrote the letter later, but attributed it to Elijah as his spiritual heir.
– God supernaturally revealed the contents of the letter to Elisha or another prophet after Elijah’s departure.
– Elijah wrote the letter shortly before his departure while Jehoram was already co-reigning with his father.
Regardless of the exact delivery method, the letter clearly follows in the bold, prophetic tradition of Elijah himself – speaking God’s truth without compromise. The line of prophets Elijah began continued after he was gone.
Lessons We Can Learn
This account provides some helpful applications for us today:
– God’s Word endures forever, even after His prophets are gone.
– When we faithfully carry on the mission of those who came before us, it is as if they are still speaking.
– We must test prophetic words by the standards of Scripture to know if they are from God.
– God is consistent – He will always judge evil, though He may be patient for a time.
– No leader is above God’s law. We must be willing to speak truth to power when leaders do wrong.
– Our actions impact those who come after us, for good or evil. We should live faithfully before God.
Though the details are complex, the overall message is simple: God will judge wickedness and raise up prophetic voices to declare His truth – even long after they are gone. This account in 2 Chronicles reminds us of these timeless spiritual principles.
Conclusion
In summary, there are reasonable explanations for how Elijah could send a letter to King Jehoram several years after being taken up to heaven. The letter likely came through Elisha or another prophetic successor and bore Elijah’s name because it carried forward his prophetic work. Though the exact method is unspecified, the divine message powerfully rebuked wickedness and called God’s people to repentance. The courageous spirit of Elijah lived on in his heirs who continued to boldly declare God’s Word. The account offers hope that, like Elijah, our influence for God can outlast our earthly lives if we are faithful to our calling.