II Kings 2:1-14
(1) And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. (2) ..."Stay here."... Went down to Bethel. (4) ..."Stay here." ... So they went down to Jericho. (6) ... "Stay here." ... So the two of them went on [to the Jordan River]. (8) And Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ... (9) "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." (11) Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. (12) And Elisha saw it and cried out, ... and he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. (13) He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. (14) And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and struck the waters, ... and they were divided here and there and Elisha crossed over.
Elisha was very persistent; he was determined to stay with his mentor as long as possible, even when Elijah kept telling him to stay behind. His tenacity paid off, as he was there to see Elijah taken up to Heaven. When he asked Elijah for a "double portion" of his spirit, he was wanting to be acknowledged as Elijah's "first-born," that, according to the Law was to receive a double portion of the inheritance (see Deuteronomy 21:17). This was a very audacious request, one that was not in his authority to grant. But God said, "Yes!"
And to have the "chariot of fire and horses of fire" come right between them as they walked together affected Elisha so powerfully that he tore his garments into two pieces. These were a very passionate people, and when overcome by emotion would often react by tearing their clothes.
Elisha also had Elijah's mantle, with which he performed the same miracle, of dividing the Jordan to walk across on dry ground.
O my Father, please grant me the persistence of Elisha, to persist in trusting You; the tenacity of Elisha, to hold on to Your promises even when I see no answer to my prayers; and the audacity of Elisha, to ask of You only what You'd be able to do for me and through me. Keep me faithful, Father, that you would do great things through me, and keep me humble, to not realize my part in Your miracles until after. That You will receive all the glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
