Scripture tells the miraculous story of the aging prophet Elijah and his servant Elisha (see 2 Kings 2). When we pick up the narrative, God had informed Elijah that his ministry on earth was over. Now he was to cross the Jordan River and go to a certain place where a heavenly chariot would take him to glory.
When Elijah and Elisha reached their destination, Elijah turned to his servant and said: “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” (2 Kings 2:9, NKJV). Without hesitation, the younger man answered, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
At first, Elijah appeared surprised by Elisha’s response, saying, “You have asked a hard thing” (2 Kings 2:10). But Elijah went on to instruct Elisha that he must watch carefully what God was about to do so that he would not miss it and go home disappointed.
As the men walked along, suddenly a chariot appeared out of heaven and separated them. In a flash, Elijah was taken up in the chariot—and Elisha witnessed the whole scene! 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” (2 Kings 2:12).
Elijah was gone, but his mantle had dropped to the ground. When Elisha saw it, he ripped off his own clothes, tore them into pieces, and placed Elijah’s mantle on his back. And when he returned to the Jordan, he removed the mantle and struck the water with it, just as his master had done. Immediately, the waters parted, and Elisha walked over on dry ground. Thus began the young prophet’s own remarkable ministry.
The events in this chapter are absolutely incredible. How does this passage apply to believers now? There is an unmistakable lesson here, with a clear, simple meaning: God wants to do greater things with each succeeding generation, but each new generation must seek the Lord to encounter the Holy Spirit and his power for themselves.