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Elisha Required a Double Portion of Elijah's Spirit

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When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. [2 Kings 2:9]

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The great prophet Elijah had a very loyal disciple named Elisha.

Whenever Elisha looked at the prophet Elijah, everyday he wanted to become a great power of God. So, he followed the prophet Elijah everywhere he went.

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One day, the prophet Elijah told Elisha;

 "Stay here, I will go somewhere alone today."

However, Elisha said, "No, I will go wherever you are.

I will not leave you."

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The prophet Elijah could not refuse Elisha's earnest request and so he left with Elisha. When they arrived at Bethel other prophets who were at the land told Elisha.

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"Do you know that God is going to take the prophet Elijah from you today?"

"Yes, I know. But do not speak of it." Elijah left to go to get direction from God. Elisha knew and went along with Elijah.

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Elijah said to Elisha at Bethel:

"Stay here. God has sent me to go to Jericho."

Elisha said, "I will not leave you. I will go to Jericho with you."

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When they arrived at Jericho, Elijah said to Elisha again,

"God has sent me to Jordan. Stay here." But Elisha replied the same,

"No, I will not leave you. I will go to Jordan with you."

Elisha wanted to go to any place where God called Elijah.

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Therefore, Elijah went to the Jordan with Elisha reluctantly.

When they arrived at the Jordan, other prophets came and watched them.

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The Jordan River had been overflowed, so Elijah the prophet took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it.

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Surprisedly, the water divided to the right and to the left,

and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

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After crossing the river Elijah the prophet asked Elisha,

"Tell me what can I do for you before I am taken from you."

Elijah wanted to give Elisha a present before being taken to heaven.

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Elisha did not hesitate and said,

"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit."

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Elijah was surprised because if God would not allow then he could not do anything."You have asked a difficult thing. Yet, if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours -otherwise not."

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Elisha followed to the place where Elijah would go.

Just then, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them. And Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

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Elisha saw this and cried out:

 "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!"

Elisha saw Elijah going up to heaven.

He was so sad so Elisha tore his own clothes.

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Then Elisha picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and stood at the Jordan. After that he struck the water with it and said,"Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah ?"

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Surprisingly, the Jordan became separated just like when Elijah had done it. Elisha crossed over the divided waters of the river.

The spirit of Elijah had indeed rested upon Elisha as he had wished.

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Elisha wished to receive God's power. So he was with Elijah to achieve his wish no matter how hard or how difficult. I hope that you have the same kind of wish like Elisha.