Working by the Spirit of God
“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, it will not.” 2 Kings 2:9-10
When the Lord made it known that he was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah tried to persuade Elisha not to go with him. But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. At Bethel, later at Jericho and at the Jordan, Elisha would not leave his mentor. At each place, prophets came to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” He replied that he knew and told them to be quiet (2 Kings 2:2-7).
At the 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 (2 Kings 2:8).
When Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before he was taken away, Elisha asked to inherit a double portion of his spirit. Elijah said that if he saw him taken away, Elisha would receive his request.
Suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he tore his garment in grief (2 Kings 2:12).
Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked and struck the water. It divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over on dry ground (2 Kings 2:13-14).
The company of the prophets who were watching at a distance said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went and bowed to the ground before him (2 Kings 2:15).
Many years later, Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). How would that be possible? He was going to send the Holy Spirit to guide and empower them (John 14:16-17).
Jesus didn’t mean greater things in the sense of more sensational, but greater things in the sphere of their influence. Jesus’s followers would spread his kingdom to more people and places than Jesus ever did in his life and ministry. For example, after Peter’s first sermon there were about three thousand converted and baptized. That was just the beginning. The gospel has been preached worldwide. Hundreds may read this devotion.
Do you believe the Spirit within will enable you to do great works? If so, how are you spreading the gospel in your sphere of influence?
Dig Deeper
Read 2 Kings 2:1-8, Zechariah 13:4, and Matthew 3:4. Who were the men described and what did they wear? What might be the spiritual significance of that?
Read 2 Kings 2:11-12. What was Elisha’s response when he saw Elijah’s dramatic departure?
How did some youths from Bethel (the center for calf worship) show disrespect for Elisha? What happened to them? See 2 Kings 2:15-24.
Nancy J. Baker
This devotion is part of our series on Elijah and Elisha: Empowered by the Holy Spirit.