If a wealthy person, one with seemingly unlimited resources, told you they would grant you a request, would you ask a big request, or only a small, insignificant, paltry one? There is a legend about Alexander the Great, that once a courtier came, asking a great, even audacious request of him. Rather than getting angry, Alexander graciously granted it, saying that the man honored him by asking for something great, as it showed that the man thought of him as a great ruler. One asks great things from a great ruler, but only meager things from a puny ruler. In our Scripture passage today we read of someone who asked a bold request when given the opportunity, but as we shall see, it was not done with any selfish motives.
As our Scripture begins, it is the last few days of Elijah upon earth. Elijah was one of the greatest prophets in the Bible. He brought God’s Word to the people of the northern kingdom of Israel during very difficult and dangerous times, particularly during the reign of wicked King Ahab. At this time, Elijah’s life on earth was going to come to a close. God had revealed to him, though, that he would not depart life in the normal fashion, and he was to journey to the eastern banks of the Jordan River with his protégé and companion, Elisha. As the two journey to that destination, they leave Gilgal, passing through both Bethel and Jericho, to the banks of the river (vs. 1-7). In each of these villages there was a fellowship or school of prophets, where religious leaders or students met to worship, pray, and learn. There these true believers in Yahweh would get mutual encouragement in the days of terrible paganism and idolatry.
When Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan River, Elijah asked Elisha if there was some request that he could grant his assistant (vs. 9). Elisha had been Elijah’s personal disciple, companion, and aide for several years. Elisha had known for several days now that God was going to take his teacher, mentor, and friend away. Now what could he ask? As we read in the Scripture passage, we see that Elisha asked that a double portion of Elijah’s spirit would be upon him. He didn’t ask for fame or fortune, but instead he asked for more spiritual power than Elijah had during his life.
Elisha made a bold request because he knew God’s power, and knew and believed what God could do. He wanted to accomplish more for God. He wanted a double portion. In Jewish culture, the firstborn son always inherited a double portion of the inheritance, along with the right of succession. Elisha was asking Elijah to succeed him as prophet, and to have spiritual powers beyond his own capabilities to meet those responsibilities as successor. He desired Elijah’s mighty power to continue to live through him.
We should not be afraid to ask boldly, to ask great things from God (James 4:2). When we know we serve a great God, we can make great prayers and great requests. Our God is a great, a mighty, and powerful God. Nothing is too big for Him to handle. If something we desire is within the will of God, and not contrary to Scripture, we do not need to be afraid to ask.
As we continue in our Scripture, we read of an extraordinary event, one that would have been very amazing to see. Elijah did not leave this life on earth like everyone else by dying. God desired to take His servant up to heaven both body and soul, without him going through death. As we read, a chariot of fire, drawn by horses, took Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind (vs. 11). A whirlwind is a strong storm with lightning, thunder, and strong wind, similar to a tornado. God is occasionally seen and connected with such storms (Job 38:1; Jeremiah 23:19; Jeremiah 30:23).
God picked Elijah up with a chariot and horses of fire. A chariot with horses was the fastest means of transport at that time. A chariot was the most powerful means of warfare then, too. This symbolized God’s power and His protection of His people. Elijah’s mantle was a symbol of his prophetic office (vs. 13). Elisha picked up Elijah’s mantle, showing the people he was his successor. Elijah was not the first one to be taken bodily to heaven without dying. The first was Enoch, as we read in Genesis 5:21-24. Jesus also went to heaven bodily after His resurrection (Acts 1:9).
When a mighty servant of God passes away, nothing of God dies. As God told Elijah when he complained that he felt he was the only one left who believed and followed Him, God had 7,000 who had never bowed the knee to Baal, ready to serve Him (I Kings 19:18). Elisha is an example. God is never caught short-handed. There is always a faithful remnant, however small it might be. Let’s not be afraid to pray bold prayers to God, and never be discouraged when a mighty servant of God is called home.
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