Asking for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit
This past week, I’ve been studying the event that led up to Elijah being taken up into heaven by a whirlwind. The part of the story that really intrigued me was when Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. You can read the whole story in Chapter 2 of 2 Kings.
I’ve always thought it was pretty bold of Elisha to make such a request.
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.
“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 NIV
Elisha saw everything
Well, that’s exactly what happened. Elisha saw the whole thing.
As 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. Elisha 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. Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He 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.
The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” 2 Kings 2:11-15 NIV
There’s so much here to talk about in what took place with Elisha and Elijah, but also how this story relates to and inspires you and me today.
Let’s go back to the beginning of Chapter 2 of 2 Kings.
Elisha wouldn’t leave Elijah
Elijah and Elisha were in Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 2 Kings 2:2 NIV
Now, Bible historians don’t all agree, but the general consensus is that Bethel is about 13 ½ miles from Gilgal. Once they’re in Bethel, Elisha gets new instructions from God.
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. 2 Kings 2:4 NIV
Back and forth
The trip from Bethel to Jericho is about 12 miles and is roughly going back toward the same general direction of Gilgal.
When they get to Jericho, Elijah gets new marching orders from God.
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on. 2 Kings 2:6 NIV
From Jericho, where they were, to the River Jordan is about 6 miles. So in total, they walked about 31 ½ miles. When they come to the Jordan River, a most amazing thing happens.
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 NIV
Elisha wanted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit
Here’s we come to the part of the story I already mentioned when Elijah asks if Elisha has a request and Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
The reason I wanted to go back to the first part of the story is, it’s really important because it brings out Elisha’s dedication and loyalty to Elijah, who had served as his spiritual mentor. He would not leave Elijah’s side. As I said the total distance they walked together that day was a little over 31 miles.
Take a moment to imagine if you had been in Elisha’s place. Would you want to leave Elijah? Absolutely not. You’d go wherever he did. You stay with him no matter what.
It would be interesting to know what they talked about during that journey. Maybe Elisha was full of questions because he knew Elijah would be taken from him later that day. Or maybe they walked in silence letting God guide and fill their thoughts.
The part of the story I want to focus on today is Elisha’s response to Elijah’s question. The moment the elder prophet asked the younger, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha had an immediate answer, as if he had been pondering what he would ask if given the opportunity.
He knew exactly what he wanted, without a moment’s hesitation. He wanted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
How would you answer Elijah’s question?
If someone like Elijah asked you this question, would you have such a quick and profound response? We should all give some time to think how we would answer Elijah’s question.
Was this a selfish thing to ask for Elisha to ask? Was it pride and ego on his part? Did he want to be a better prophet than Elijah? I don’t think so.
There is some precedent for the idea of a double portion in the Old Testament as being a double blessing bestowed on a firstborn son.
Even if a man didn’t love his wife and she bare him a son, a double portion was to be given.
He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father’s strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him. Deuteronomy 21:17 NIV
And there’s another example of a double portion when Elkanah gives his wife, Samuel’s mother-to-be, a double portion.
But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her… 1 Samuel 1:5 NIV
Why did Elisha ask for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit?
When Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, it was really a request for his spiritual inheritance, so to speak. It was his way of asking to receive Elijah’s blessing as if he was his dearly loved son.
It was really Elisha knowing he deserved what was rightly his and asking for it.
How can you and I take the spirit of that when we pray?
Now you may be thinking: Hey James, this a very inspiring story and I see where you’re going with this, but there aren’t really any Elijah-type figures in my life who I can ask for a double portion of their spirit. I’m not sure how this story relates to me.
I hear you. Wouldn’t it be great if we all had an Elijah-type person in our lives. Maybe you are fortunate to know or be mentored by someone like that. But most of us have not had that type of person in our lives.
Will you ask for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit?
Of who then can we ask to have a double portion of their spirit?
Well, the answer is simple: Elijah himself.
Haven’t you been mentored by Elijah, so to speak, every time you read about one of the miracles he performed?
In the spirit of Elisha, you can ask God for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. What would keep you from making this request?
Maybe you don’t feel worthy. Or maybe you’re unsure of what you would do if God answered that prayer. Are you afraid of what God might ask you to do?
First of all, God is never going to ask you to do something you’re incapable of doing. It might be something you didn’t think you could do, but if God has a task for you, or reveals your entire life purpose, He will open the way for you to accept and fulfill it.
When you receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, that will include being able to hear God’s voice directly and accomplish whatever God asks of you.
Did Elisha get what he wanted?
Let’s come back to Elisha. Was his request granted? What was the spirit of Elijah? What did it look like?
Look at everything Elijah did. He provided oil and meal for the widow of Zarephath during a drought. (1 Kings 17:9-16). He raised this same widow’s son from death (1 Kings 17:17-24). He called fire down from heaven to consume a burnt sacrifice to prove that God was the true God of Israel (1 Kings 18:19-39). And so much more.
Something I noticed though, the spirit of Elijah, it wasn’t just empowering him to do miracles. It gave him an absolute confidence and trust in God as supreme and able to resolve any issue.
What if you had a double portion of Elijah’s spirit to trust and have confidence in God to heal and resolve problems, a double portion of Elijah’s spirit of humility to hear God’s voice and do all God asked you to do?
This makes me think of that favorite verse from Proverbs:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5, 6 NIV
This could easily been the motto of Elijah.
And Elisha certainly did receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elisha continued in his mentor’s footsteps, healing and performing all kinds of miracles, some very similar to the ones Elijah had done.
How does this apply to you and me?
So let’s come back to how this story can apply to you and me.
Are you bold enough to ask for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit like Elisha did?
Sometimes we think: Oh my gosh, if I could just have 10% of what Elijah did, that would be plenty. But think about asking for the full double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
I mean, think about it.
What would you do, how would you act if you had double the portion of Elijah’s confidence in calling down fire from heaven or raising a little boy from the dead?
Elisha had seen the mighty works of Elijah. He had seen the power of God brought to bear time after time. When he asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, he knew exactly what he was asking for. He wanted to carry forward the torch of truth, lighting the way for the Children of Israel. And he did.
So here you and I are today. The material world casts its darkness over the land and engulfs much of mankind.
But you can bring light to this darkness, the light of Christ. In fact, Jesus says,
You are the light of the world… Matthew 5:14 NIV
You can ask God for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit
Take a moment right now. In total humility, ask God to give you a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, or to use the metaphor of light, a double portion of Elijah’s light.
Nothing can stop you from being the light of the world. Nothing can persuade you to hide your light under a basket.
Look what happened when Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. His request was granted and he performed many miracles.
What will happen when your request is granted? What miracles will God accomplish through you?
How can we go further?
My wife and I were talking about this after Church on Sunday and here’s what she brought up. Is there any way to go even further than Elisha did?
Elisha only asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit for himself. What if he had made that same request for others as well?
When you pray to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, who else can you include in this request?
How about praying for your whole family and everyone in your church to receive this double portion of the prophet’s spirit? Who else can you include in this prayer? Your government? World leaders? What about all mankind?
Moses’s wish
When someone told Moses that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp instead of with the other prophets, there was some resistance.
Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”
But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” Numbers 11:28, 29 NIV
Joshua had a few limitations in his mind about who could be a prophet and receive the Spirit of God. But Moses had a universal vision that we all are capable of receiving the Spirit of God.
The prophet Joel foresees the day when all God’s children can and do receive the Spirit of God.
I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28, 29 NIV
God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” By the way, just so you know, that includes you and me. It includes everyone.
Peter declared this prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:16.
But the Day of Pentecost was just the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. It is still being fulfilled today and you are included in it.
You are worthy of a double portion of Elijah’s spirit
It’s nothing to be afraid of or shy away from.
Why not you? You are a child of God equal to every other child of God as God’s image and likeness and in your purpose of how you bring that to bear in your life.
None of God’s children are more or less important, valued, or valid than all the others. You are as capable of, and as worthy as, any and all of God’s children to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
When you pray for this, consider your motives. This prayer can have no tint of a desire for personal gain, or it won’t be granted. Your true desire is to bless all mankind and bring them to the light of Christ.
It’s not something you can make happen. It’s God’s doing. It’s God’s timing. It’s God revealing Himself to you to bring His blessing to all His children.
The world needs your light
The world is crying out for the help and healing you’ll bring, when you embrace this blessing.
But there’s something even bigger going on in God’s overall plan for the salvation of all mankind.
Once Jesus’s disciples asked him about a prophecy in Malachi 4:5, 6.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
And he will turn
The hearts of the fathers to the children,
And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Malachi 4:5, 6 NKJV
Jesus responded,
Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. Matthew 17:11-13 NIV
You are preparing the way for Christ
John the Baptist had come, in the spirit of Elijah, to prepare the people for Jesus’s ministry. When you boldly ask for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, you’re really asking for the ability to prepare mankind for the appearing of Christ in the world today.
In the spirit of Elijah and John the Baptist, you are letting the world know of Christ’s presence and power, grace and love.
The world as a whole may not always realize its need for Christ, but the more you are endued with the spirit of Elijah, the more you will bring the light of Christ to hungry hearts.
You are capable and worthy of praying for and receiving a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. You are capable and worthy of embracing this spirit in your daily life and blessing others. It’s because you are part of God’s plan to bless and redeem all mankind.
Being more like Jesus
One final thought. This podcast is about learning to think, pray, and love like Jesus. You may be wondering: Hey James, what does asking for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit have to do with being more like Jesus.
Great question. This is actually a spiritual stepping stone to receiving the Holy Spirit in all its fullness.
Jesus says,
For the one whom God has sent [he’s referring to himself here] speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. John 3:34 NIV
There are no limits or portion sizes of how Jesus received the Holy Spirit from the Father. To the degree you follow Christ in your thoughts, words, and actions you will receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit without limit or measure. And there will be no limit to what God does through you.
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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and church mentor. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by learning to think, pray, and love like Jesus. Contact him here.
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Bible References
2 Kings 2:9, 10 NIV
9 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.”
2 Kings 2:11-15 NIV
11 As 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.
12 Elisha 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.
13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
14 He 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.
15 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.”
2 Kings 2:2 NIV
2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
2 Kings 2:4 NIV
4 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
2 Kings 2:6 NIV
6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on.
2 Kings 2:8 NIV
8 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.
Deuteronomy 21:17 NIV
17 He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father’s strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.
1 Samuel 1:5 NIV
5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her…
Proverbs 3:5, 6 NIV
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Matthew 5:14 NIV
14 You are the light of the world…
Numbers 11:28, 29 NIV
28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”
29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!”
Joel 2:28, 29 NIV
28 I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Malachi 4:5, 6 NKJV
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
6 And he will turn
The hearts of the fathers to the children,
And the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Matthew 17:11-13 NIV
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.
12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”
13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
John 3:34 NIV
34 For the one whom God has sent [he’s referring to himself here] speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
