TWO SHARES

Before Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11), Elijah said to the younger Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you” (2 Kings 2:9). Elisha’s response is quite interesting. “Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit” (2 Kings 2:9).

Let me explain… In that culture, when a father died, the oldest son in the family received a double portion of the estate. That was the oldest son’s birthright. So, if there were three sons, the estate was divided into four parts. The two younger sons each received one-fourth of their deceased daddy’s estate. The oldest son received a double portion … two-fourths … “two shares” …

When Elisha requested “two shares,” he was requesting from Elijah the birthright. He said in essence, “Elijah, please consider me as your oldest son. Grant me the birthright. Give me a double portion… two shares.”

Elisha wanted to inherit Elijah’s ministry. Like two Olympians in a relay race, Elisha wanted Elijah to pass the baton. He wanted to finish the race that Elijah had started. He wanted to inherit Elijah’s courage along with his personal and powerful relationship to God.

Then, as the old prophet rode away in the blazing chariot, he dropped his cloak. The younger prophet tore off his own coat, wrapped himself up in his new cloak, and strode off toward the Jordan, determined to faithfully serve the Lord (2 Kings 2:12-13).

Arriving at the Jordan, Elisha took off his new cloak, rolled it up just as Elijah had done earlier, and struck the water saying, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” (2 Kings 2:14). In other words, “God, will you grant my request? Will you allow me to follow in the footsteps of my master and mentor? Will you do for me what you did for Elijah? May I serve You?”

As if to say, “Yes. You will be my servant, and I will be your God,” the waters of the Jordan River “parted to the right and the left, and Elisha crossed over” (2 Kings 2:14).

Like Elisha, we’ve been given an inheritance (Romans 8:17) and when Jesus went to Heaven, he left us His “robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). So, let’s wrap ourselves up in His cloak, and with a personal and powerful relationship with the Almighty, let’s determine to be our Master’s servant!

“Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit”

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).