Tag: double portion of spirit
What can I do for you?
Scripture reading for April 10th: 2nd Kings 1-3
As the prophet Elijah was about to depart from this earth, he asked Elisha: “What can I do for you before I am taken from you?” (2nd Kings 2:9) The understudy wisely answered that he desired a double portion of the Spirit. This is essentially the same question God asked Solomon a few years earlier. (1st Kings 3:5) God gives us choices. One of the tensions in Scripture is between our free will and God’s sovereign will. God is sovereign but he has chosen to work with man who is made in His image. Part of that image is the ability to make choices.
Elijah had been instructed by God to tap Elisha to take his place some ten years earlier. Elisha was the son of a farmer. He was plowing with 12 yokes of oxen–a big rig of that day! (1st Kings 19:19) He was called when Elijah threw his cloak over him. Scripture records that he left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Then he sacrificed his oxen, burning his plowing equipment to cook the meat and set out to follow Elijah.
As the time for Elijah’s departure drew near, Elisha had to choose to stay near his mentor. If we are going to get all that the Lord has for us, it means we must persevere! Elijah gave him a word of knowledge–that if he could see him when he departed, he would have what he asked for. (2nd Kings 2:10-12) As they walked on together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses appeared and Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind right before Elisha’s eyes! Elisha picked up the fallen cloak and began to do greater things than his mentor!
Jesus Christ has told us to ask Him for whatever we need and He will do it. (John 14:14) He has given us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and bring forth the gifts of the Spirit as they are needed to glorify the Lord. He has told us that we will do even greater works because He has gone to the Father. (John 14:11-14) Ask the Lord today for what you need! How much more will God the Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask! (Luke 11:13)
What can I do for you?
Scripture reading for April 10th: 2nd Kings 1-3
As the prophet Elijah was about to depart from this earth, he asked Elisha: “What can I do for you before I am taken from you?” (2nd Kings 2:9) The understudy wisely answered that he desired a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. This is essentially the same question God asked Solomon when he appeared to him a few years earlier. (1st Kings 3:5) Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people. God gives us choices. One of the tensions in Scripture is between our free will and God’s sovereign will. God is sovereign but he has chosen to work with man who is made in His image. Part of that image is the ability to make choices.
Elijah had been instructed by God to tap Elisha to take his place some ten years earlier. Elisha was the son of a farmer. He was plowing with 12 yokes of oxen–a big rig of that day! (1st Kings 19:19) He was called when Elijah threw his cloak over him. Scripture records that he left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Then he sacrificed his oxen, burning his plowing equipment to cook the meat. He set out to follow Elijah. Choices have consequences and rewards and often lead to more choices.
As the time for Elijah’s departure drew near, Elisha had to continually choose to stay near his mentor. Elijah kept asking him to stay away, but he kept insisting on staying. If we are going to get all that the Lord has for us, it means we must persevere! Those who persevere to the end will reap a reward! Elisha asked for the double portion of his mentor’s spirit. Elijah could not give that himself. It must come from the Lord. Elijah gave him a word of knowledge–that if he could see him when he departed he would have what he asked for. (2nd Kings 2:10-12) As they walked on together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind right before Elisha’s eyes! It was an exciting exit for the prophet Elijah and an exciting transition for the prophet Elisha as he picked up the cloak and began to do greater things than his mentor!
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the final word from God. He had the Spirit without measure. (John 3:34) He has told us to ask Him for whatever we need and He will do it. (John 14:14) He has given us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and bring forth the gifts of the Spirit as they are needed to glorify the Lord. He has told us, his disciples, that we will do even greater works because He has gone to the Father. (John 14:11-14) Ask the Lord today for what you need! How much more will God the Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask! (Luke 11:13)