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What is the meaning of a double portion Looking at Elisha. Before Elijah was taken up from the earth, Elisha asked Elijah, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” (2 Kings 2:9). Elisha was asking Elijah for his mantle, for the same authority, zeal and boldness as Elijah; but double. Elijah responded to his protégé, “you have asked a hard thing,” He says it is not his to give. It is really all up to God. He told him if he sees Elijah taken to heaven, he would receive that which he asked. He see Elijah taken up from the earth. 2 Kings 2:13: “He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him.” Verse 15: the sons of the prophets recognized Elijah’s mantle was passed to Elisha, because he exercised the same power Elijah previously did (v.8) thus showing his authority (v.14). Understand that no one ever had ever asked for a double portion of Gods Spirit (not Elijah’s spirit but the Spirit that was upon Elijah), this is not about more (double the amount) in measure of the Holy Spirit. What he was asking for is a greater effect in ministry, influence than Elijah. No one else is mentioned to receive, nor asked for a double portion, this was never repeated. Elisha held his prophetic office for at least fifty years, living to the age of eighty until he died of an illness (2 Kings 13:14). His ministries influence was double that of his predecessor Elijah. Both had unique miracles in their ministry time, both had raised the dead. While staying at a widow's home, Elijah performed a miracle by bringing her son back to life (1 Kings 17:1-24; Luke 4:25-27). Elisha was unique in that he was given from God a double portion; to perform the miraculous. This was for when he was alive and for when he was dead. It is through Elisha God raised someone from the dead when Elisha himself was dead. A dead person was put into his tomb and touched his bones and became alive (2 King 13:21). This miracle of life coming from touching Elisha’s bones is greater than any miracle done during his lifetime. It served as confirmation of his prophecies that still needed to be fulfilled concerning the coming triumph of Israel over Syria. |
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