IMITATE THEIR FAITH/ELIJAH - Transferring the Mantle -Continue

 It surely touched Elijah to see the loyal love of his young companion. Because of it, Elisha had the privilege of seeing Elijah's final miracle. By the bank of the Jordan River, which tends to be swift and deep in places, Elijah struck the water with his official mantle. The waters parted! Also watching this miracle were "50 of the sons of the prophets," evidently part of a growing school of men being trained to take the lead in pure worship in the land. (2 Kings 2:7, 8) Elijah likely oversaw that training program. There had been a time some years earlier when Elijah felt that he was the only faithful man left in the land. Since then, Jehovah had rewarded Elijah's endurance, allowing him to see a great deal of progress among his worshippers. - 1 KINGS 19:10

After they crossed the Jodan, Elijah said to Elisha: "Ask what you want me to do for you before I am taken from you." Elijah knew that the time for his departure had come. He did begrudge his younger friend the privileges and the prominence that lay ahead. Rather, Elijah was eager to help him in any way possible. Elisha made only this request: "Please, may I have a double portion of your spirit?" (2 Kings 2:9) He did not mean that he wanted the double amount of holy spirit that Elijah had received. Rather, he was asking for an inheritance like that of a firstborn son, who by law received the largest, or double, inheritance to match his new responsibilities as family head.  (Deuteronomy 21:17) As Elijah's spirit heir, he evidently saw the need to have Elijah's courageous spirit in order to get the work done. 

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