Passing the Mantle On

9When 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.

10“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”

11As 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. 12Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

13Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah 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. (2 Kings 2)

Thoughts: Elisha wanted to inherit Elijah's prophetic ability.  He used the inheritance language "double portion" which does not mean twice as much but to inherit the main portion.  The mantle that Elijah wrapped around Elisha was a symbol of his passing the faith and the power of the Holy Spirit on.  He struck the river and the river stopped like when Joshua stopped the Jordan or Moses parted the Red Sea.  The water divided for Elisha indicating that the Spirit passes on.  God does not leave Himself without a witness.  He is still at work. 

Prayer: Lord, raise up someone who has a double portion.  May your Spirit work again to revive us for your glory.