“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 2 Kings 2 : 9
Good morning, friends. We’ve recently meditated on the same topic. Previously it was for the study on Elijah. But this time it is for Elisha.
When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel” But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “but do not speak of it.” The same happened when Elijah told Elisha that he was going to Jericho and Jordan. He followed wherever Elijah went.
At Jordan, Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.” As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.
Here we can see the other qualities which Elisha had.
One: Elisha was the follower of Elijah. He knew that his master was going to be taken up. He didn’t worry for taking such a greater task after his master. Elisha was sincere to follow his master till the end without the feeling of ‘left alone’. There was a higher risk to standalone for God at that time. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel hated Elijah. Eventually it would have turned to Elisha too. Yet he chose to stand for God.
Two: Jordan’s water got divided just like the waters of Red Sea. They both walked on the dry ground. Elisha didn’t fear when he saw Jordan in front of him. Instead he too walked on the dry ground with Elijah when it got divided. He was so sure that they both will not be drowned. He didn’t have disbelief. I hope we all know that the disciple Peter didn’t have belief when he was walking on the waters towards Jesus and hence he was about to be drowned. Many times, we hear someone leaving a ministry or the partnership when they see problems in front of them, instead of trusting the Lord with all their heart.
Three: Elijah never ignored his follower. He didn’t fail to recognize his sincerity. He granted Elisha a wish. He fulfilled his duty as a master. We have appraisals in our offices. Not all the employees get outstanding rating. And not all the employees will be asked what they want to continue their service. Only a very few employees get these chances. Why? It is because of their dedication. Elisha was dedicated and he truly served his master. That’s why he was honored by God and Elijah. What about you? You may be a software professional or a teacher or a student or a wife or a husband. God has placed you where you’re today for a purpose. Are you fulfilling your duty everyday? I believe everyone knows that our prime duty is to be the witness of Him and to proclaim the good news of Christ.
Four: When Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted, he got a very difficult and a rare thing as reply. Elisha didn’t ask money or fame or anything ordinary. But he asked an extraordinary thing. The double portion of anointing! He valued anointing more than anything in the world and he was so wise enough to ask a pleasing thing. That too, in double fold of what his master had. In Bible we read about another man Solomon asking the Lord wisdom and He granted it to him.
Five: When Elisha received the double portion of anointing, he had to come back to his place. Again he got stuck on his way by Jordan’s water. Previously his master was there to accompany him. But this time, he alone had to walk. He never hesitated to do what Elijah did. He struck the water and it got divided to the right and to the left. He crossed over the river. He exercised his faith. This clearly conveys that our leaders or masters will not be with us all the time. At that time, we have to exercise our faith. We know the power of His love and we have to take steps for Him.
Six: I know a famous saying. The first generation starts, the second generation builds and the third generation destroys. This is not true in the case of Elisha. When other prophets saw Elisha they could feel the spirit of Elijah in Elisha. He was a blessing to many.
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