In 1 Kings 19, we see Elijah putting his mantle upon Elisha (1 Kings 19: 19-21). Elisha knew what this meant as he ran after Elijah. Elisha was faithful to his assignment of taking care of the oxen and was not focussed on receiving a mantle. However, God saw him. Elisha’s current assignment was important for his development and growth. His assignment prepared him for his future impact. Many times, we despise our current assignment and continually look for something greater. Our current assignment prepares us for what is ahead. Do not despise small beginnings. God will find us where we are. God chooses us and not ourselves.
Elisha gets a taste of what the mantle of Elijah entails. There is no sudden manifestation of it but only a glimpse. There is a time and a season for everything. In the midst of this, Elisha made himself available and became Elijah’s servant.
There will be times where we would be led into servanthood and called to honour the leaders placed over us. Elisha was recognized as the one who washed Elijah’s hand (2 Kings 3:11). This may seem like a low recognition. However, it is not necessary for our names to be highlighted as doing great stuff. God will exalt us in due time. For the proud shall be abased and the humble, exalted.
And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel. 3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” 4 Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho. 5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 2 Kings 2:1-7 (NKJV)
Elisha was not in it for the mantle but also for relationship. He clinged unto Elijah and went wherever he went. Elisha was disciplined. In this same sense, we must be disciplined in our pursuit of Christ. We must set out time to read His word and pray. It is a relationship between God and us that requires time, commitment and desire. Our focus and gaze must be upon God.
The sons of the prophets told Elisha what was about to happen to his master, Elijah. However, Elisha was not distracted by this for he already knew. Elisha was not caught up in what would happen after Elijah was gone but in his current assignment of serving.
The prophets were following Elijah and Elisha to see Elijah taken up. However, there came a time where the crowd could no longer be with them. There is only so much that a crowd can do for us. But there comes a time where we have to dwell in the secret place with God and pursue Him. When God becomes our pursuit, God asks us what we desire. He realizes that we are not consumed by gifts and talents but by Him.
8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. 13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 2 Kings 2:8-13 (NKJV)
Elisha asked Elijah for a double portion. We must repent for our small asking. Greater is He that is within us and greater works, we will do. There is so much greater in store for us and therefore, our asking should not be small. We should ask for more. Our desire is Christ. Through this desire, we begin to drink and thirst after God and from us, will flow rivers of living water (John 7:37-39).
After much waiting, there is a suddenly. Elijah and Elisha waited and suddenly a chariot of fire appeared. We must not get tired in the waiting but be faithful and of good courage. The suddenly will come. We must not give up and lose faith but remain focused.
After Elisha saw Elijah being taken up, he tore his clothes. There are things that cannot go with us into the next season. We need to tear them away and make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:11-14). We have to take off the old garments and put on the new. For we are a new creation in Christ Jesus.
When David came before the Philistine, he considered as one not qualified because of his looks (1 Samuel 17:42). If we want to defeat a giant, we have to become a giant. We have to realize that we are not our own but we belong to Christ. Greater is He that is within us. We cannot become consumed with the lies of the enemy which say that we are small and not good enough. Fear must not take control. We are a new creation in Christ Jesus.
It is important to remember what God has done in the past. These memories give us courage, faith and confidence in Christ. We must ask “where is the God of Elijah? Where is the God of Jesus”. We must put a demand on heaven. Greater works than these are we supposed to do. If God did it before with the apostles and disciples, He can do it again now.
