ELISHA SERIES-PART 2

ELISHA SERIES-PART 2

REQUESTING FOR DOUBLE PORTION WHILE WALKING AT ELIJAH'S PATH

When they got to Jordan, the river Jordan was the first stumbling block. Elisha was still with Elijah at this point. Elijah brought out his mantle, smote the river, and straightway, the river gave way. No obstructions will meet a soul that is ripe for heaven, which true faith will not overcome. Elisha saw the impossible becoming possible. He just saw a miracle which those standing afar off could not see. He saw the demonstration of the power of the God of Elijah. Those who refused to blend with the ways of the ungodly will experience the manifestation of the power of the Lord in a way the world would not. Both Elijah and Elisha walked on dry ground in the midst of Jordan.

Elisha's decision and determination not to depart from Elijah is really commendable. Even Elijah himself was really impressed, and that was why he said

Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 2Kings. 2: 9

Elisha considered himself the only child or first-born of Elijah, as the disciples of eminent teachers were called their children; so here he claims a double portion of his spiritual influence, any other disciples coming in for a single share only. This request was not; as is commonly supposed, for the power of working miracles exceeding the magnitude and number of his master's, nor does it mean a higher endowment of the prophetic spirit; for Elisha was neither superior to, nor perhaps equally great with, his predecessor. But the phrase, "a double portion," was applied to the first-born [De 21:17], and therefore Elisha's request was, simply, to be heir to the prophetic office and gifts of his master.

Elisha, having this fair opportunity to enrich himself with the best riches, prays for a double portion of his master's spirit. He asks not for wealth, nor honour, nor exemption from trouble, but to be qualified for the service of God and his generation.

Christ bade his disciples ask what they would, not one, but all, and promised to send the Spirit, with much more authority and assurance than Elijah could.

To get the double portion of my power, there is a condition.

"If thou see me when I am taking from thee, it shall be so” Perhaps this means no more than, "If thou continue with me till I am translated, God will grant this to thee;

"What if the chariots of fire arrived at midnight when I am fast asleep?" "Thou must be watchful. Thou must be vigilant." Christians must be watchful at all times. It is a call to be vigilant. You must guide your heart. Don’t trade it for pleasure, don't give it away.

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2Kings. 2: 11

As they went on discussing, suddenly, the unexpected happened. The chariot of fire came and parted them asunder. Elijah was captured, and went up by a whirlwind into heaven.  A chariot of fire-In this form the angels appeared.  The souls of all the faithful are carried by an invisible guard of angels, into the bosom of Abraham.  But Elijah being to carry his body with him, this heavenly guard appeared visibly:  Not in an human shape, though so they might have borne him in their arms, but in the form of a chariot and horses, that he may ride in state, may ride in triumph, like a prince, like a conqueror. See the readiness of the angels to do the will of God, even in the meanest services for the heirs of salvation!  Thus, he who had burned with holy zeal for God and his honour, was now conveyed in fire into his immediate presence.

 He was possessed of Elijah's mantle, the badge of his office, which, we may suppose, he put on and wore for his master's sake, 2Ki 2:13. When Elijah went to heaven, though he did not let fall his body as others do, he let fall his mantle instead of it; for he was unclothed, that he might be clothed upon with immortality: he was going to a world where he needed not the mantle to adorn him, nor to shelter him from the weather, nor to wrap his face in, as 1Ki 19:13. 

 He left his mantle as a legacy to Elisha, and, though in itself it was of small value, yet as it was a token of the descent of the Spirit upon him, it was more than if he had bequeathed to him thousands of gold and silver. Elisha took it up, not as a sacred relic to be worshipped, but as a significant garment to be worn and recompense to him for his own garments which he had rent. Elisha had asked for strength from day to day as there is so much to be done and he was very happy when he got what his courage actually deserved.

His thoughts were echoed by this song writer;

"Storms do not alarm me,

They sometimes must cease,

Trials cannot harm me,

For I have blessed peace;

All I've left behind me,

I long for no more,

Better things shall find me on Jordan's shore.

Let those who stay in Bethel, Jericho,

I am bound for Jordan, where chariots of fire is waiting,

Shall my desire supply, all battles fought and the vict’ry won

Peace and joy my portion, my soul shall rest on its shore by and by”

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2Kings 2: 11 

Suddenly, the unexpected happened! Within a tinkle of an eye, the chariot of fire came and parted them asunder. Elijah was captured and went up by a whirlwind into heaven. The mantle was still with Elijah at this time.

And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 2 Kings 2: 12

So he calls him for his fatherly affection to him, and for his fatherly authority which he had over him, in which respect the scholars of the prophets are called their sons.  He saw his own condition like that of a fatherless child, and laments it accordingly. The chariot, who by his example, and counsels, and prayers, and power with God, didst more for the defense and preservation of Israel than all their chariots and horses. The mantle that fell from Elijah, Elisha took.

He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 2 Kings 2: 13

Elisha had asked for strength from day to day, as there’s so much to be done.

CONTINUE ON HE NEXT SERIES

GOD BLESS YOU

DELE KELVIN

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