God starts from Himself. There is no higher starting point -"Gilgal."
The Apostle Paul could say, after being called, that he had seen the Lord. To have a glimpse of the end of the road and the object there, from the beginning, fixes and warms the heart in devotion and first love. It also gives the character of the ministry which is to occupy the servant.
Of the several Gilgals in Israel, the one on the top of the plains, near Shiloh, is the one found here, which speaks of the heavenly places, the ultimate hope of the Church of God. There the Apostle Paul heard unutterable words and experienced the ecstasy of that place. Elisha's ministry was to be one of heavenly grace.
Here we have a continuing picture of the activities of the Spirit of God with a soul who is brought into the kingdom of God, righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit, that more permanent aspect of it which has a heavenly character, not just the kingdom on earth which will be true of Israel in a coming day, but the portion which belongs now to all those who have put their trust in Jesus.
It is a marvelous thing to think of the work that was done for us, but have you ever thought of the work that is being done in you? "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Elisha had his eyes fixed on Elijah, and go where he would, he would not leave him. That is the power of the Christian life. If Elijah went to Bethel, he would go with him. Elijah did not ask him to go with him, but he drew him with the cords of love. They are the only permanent cords which last forever. At the same time they were the cords of a man. The heart of Elisha was attracted to the heart of Elijah and he would not leave him.
Elijah requested Elisha to tarry at Gil-gal while he went down to Bethel, as the Lord had sent him. Elisha's response was, "I will not leave thee." "So they went down to Bethel [the house of God]."