Elijah 12 - Taking up the Mantle of Elijah

Elijah 12 - Taking up the Mantle of Elijah

David W Palmer

(2 Kings 2:14–15 NKJV) Then he (Elisha) took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. {15} Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” …

After a lengthy period of overlap between Elijah and Elisha—during which Elisha served the prophet as an attendant—God deemed it time for Elijah’s personal ministry on earth to conclude. For Elisha, this was the end of the overlap period with the prophet that God called him to. Elijah initially pictured God’s intention to transfer the anointing with the prophetic act of throwing his mantle (cloak) over Elisha when he called him:

(1 Kings 19:19 NKJV) So he (Elijah) departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him.

Throwing the mantle was prophetic, but not the transfer itself; he merely demonstrated what could happen if Elisha responded to God’s invitation. This is like Jesus calling his disciples: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”—it was a succinct statement, but the fulfilment of it took three years of discipleship. In other words, follow the leader, and as you serve, watch, listen, and continue humbly in his presence, what is on him will eventually come onto you. For Elisha, this began the day he burned his plough and sacrificed his oxen. Then it continued from 1 Kings 19 to 2 Kings 2—a lengthy overlap. It ended the day God took Elijah from the earth.

Note: Elisha’s success in prophetic ministry—with a double portion of Elijah’s anointing—didn’t happen in any of the following ways: when Elisha through it should, when he ambitiously pushed him aside to replace him, or when he launched himself out from under Elijah in rebellion, defiance, impatience, or deluded faith. No, Elisha received the mantle of Elijah when God’s time for Elijah to use it had concluded. We can and should all learn from this.

The final exchange began with Elijah trying to dissuade Elisha from going the whole distance. This may have been a test of his passionate desire to carry that anointing—which was promised to him when Elijah threw his mantle over him back on the farm.

(2 Kings 2:2 NKJV) 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.

Next, some onlookers, who weren’t involved in this changeover period, suddenly propelled themselves to the expert level—authorising themselves to give commentary, insight, and advice to God’s servant. These people exist and inevitably seem to have an idea for you that’s better than what God has shown you in your heart. Learn from Elisha how to deal with them … only make sure you do it in love:

(2 Kings 2:3 NLT) The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?” “Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.”

Like some prophets today, they had perceptive insight, but they weren’t necessarily appointed by God to speak in his name on this topic. After this, Elijah tried again to put off Elisha—God testing his resolve to operate in this anointing. And yet another group of observers came out to give Elisha commentary and the “benefit” of their limited insight. But Elisha stayed with his mentor, the one who had the key to his future:

(2 Kings 2:8–9 NLT) Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground! {9} When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”

Was Elisha merely ambitious, greedy, or deluded with self importance to ask such an outlandish request? He wanted double what the greatest prophet to that time had carried. After all, Elijah had successfully: seen drought, fire from heaven, removal of false prophets, drought-breaking rain, ran ahead of a chariot, been on a 40 day fast, and met with God on Moses’s mountain. Now it seems that Elisha wants double for himself—just by asking. Who does he think he is? He’s just a farmer and a servant. Does he now think he is double what Elijah was? Does he even understand what he is asking for? Even Elijah said that this was a “difficult” request:

(2 Kings 2:10 NLT) “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”

Maybe Elisha, after observing Elijah’s ministry, had realised that the full assignment of removing wicked Ahab, Jezebel, and their evil cabal of demonic rulership was not fulfilled. Perhaps he had God’s vision in mind and knew it was going to take more fire power. Whatever his motive, God has included this in his word because he granted this request:

(2 Kings 2:11–13 NKJV) 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 …

Without doubt, God liked what he saw in Elisha:

When called, he burned his bridges of return to his old life

He served his leader faithfully—eventually viewing him as a father

He didn’t try to usurp Elijah’s authority or launch himself prematurely

He refused to leave his mentor/father/leader until God separated them

He passionately asked for—not a holiday or an easy life—but double what Elijah had. He must have known about the death threats, depression, brokenness, and self-denial that Elijah went through. But even that didn’t stop him from asking for double.

Yes, God was pleased with Elisha and granted his request:

(2 Kings 2:14–15 NKJV) Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. {15} Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him.

Even though Elijah promised him, “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request”; and even though God released the mantle for him, he still had to take faith-inspired action; Elisha had to take up the mantle. It wasn’t just a nice piece of antique fashion; it was a God-given opportunity to move into the ministry God had for him.

Like Elisha, we have a double portion coming from Jesus onto our whole generation. This is God’s time for revival, supernatural ministry, real love, evangelism, and amazing signs and wonders. But like Elisha, we each have to have a passionate desire to move in this; plus, we have to step out in God-pleasing faith, take up the mantle, and take some actions in line with it—expecting results. Why not step out with the gospel today, offer to pray for a sick person, speak a word from God, or take a courageous step of faith with giving, reaping, sowing, or starting a money flow. This is the time we’ve been waiting for all of our lives. All of heaven’s green lights are on now, and they are not going to get any greener. Take up the mantle of the Lord Jesus and start speaking his word and striking the river. God’s ready now. Cross over into your double portion ministry today.