A Double PortionSample

Our Inheritance

The prophet Elijah often had to go before kings and kings’ men to communicate what God had asked him to say. Many times the message was not a positive one. But he knew that God spoke through him and this gave him the faith to believe His word for every situation—no matter how dire it was. 

Since the prophet Elijah took Elisha under his wing, Elisha had seen the power of God through his master. All the blessings God’s people enjoyed were a testament to God’s faithfulness among them. When it was time for the prophet Elijah to be taken to heaven, his successor Elisha was very clear with his master—he wanted to inherit a double portion of his spirit. Elisha understood that God loved His people and knew that he was about to inherit the ministry that Elijah had led. Elisha was bold to ask for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Maybe since he knew that Elijah was leaving him, he humbled himself and looked within, and he reasoned that it would take a double portion of what Elijah had, for him to be able to continue doing what Elijah did. 

Elijah replied to his servant Elisha, “You have asked a difficult thing… if you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.” Elisha did not plead with his master, he simply made a request when Elijah asked. Through everything Elisha had experienced with Elijah, he had come to trust that the God he served would do His will and bring honor and glory to His name. 

When Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha was able to see the chariot of fire and the horses of fire that appeared out of nowhere to get Elijah. As Elijah had spoken, since Elisha saw this, he would be bestowed with a double portion of his spirit. When Elijah left, Elisha took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and began walking in the ministry with which God had trusted Elijah.

Today, you and I are called to trust our Master. We are called to know that He is with us and in us. He is our inheritance. He will perfect us and lead every step of the way so that we too can live lives like Elisha’s, trusting our God and His faithfulness to continue to bring glory to His name—for the sake of His Kingdom.