Determined to recieve the anointing! - November 22nd, 2011

⁹ And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”
Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
¹⁰ So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” ¹¹ Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 

2 Kings 2:9-11

History and Context:

1 and 2 Kings were originally one book. The author of the book is unknown but is believed to have been a prophet in Babylon during the exile about 550 BC. The book was compiled from various sources to bring together the history of Israel and Judah. Kings begins with a united, strong kingdom under David and then Solomon, to a divided kingdom in ruins taken off into captivity. It is a sad story emphasizing the fact that when Israel was with God they were strong and prosperous, but when they turned away from God destruction came upon them. The majority of the book is devoted towards the line of kings in both Israel and Judah, but there is also a major portion devoted to the story of Elijah and Elisha calling out to the kings and the people to return to God.

The Text:

2 Kings chapter two begins with Elijah attempting to say good bye to Elisha. They were leaving Gilgal and Elijah tells Elisha that the Lord has called him to Bethel and that Elisha should stay. Elisha's responds with "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." This happens two more times as we go through the chapter until they cross the Jordan river. Finally, as seen in verse 9, Elijah asks Elisha what he wants and Elisha responds. He wants a double portion of Elijah's spirit, or anointing. He is so hungry for that anointing that he has followed Elijah from Gilgal, to Bethel, to Jericho, and finally across the Jordan. Then something amazing happens; a chariot of fire comes down from heaven. This is where we so often mix up the story. We have been taught in children's stories and in Bible trivia that Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, but the chariot of fire was there for an entirely different purpose. The whirlwind took Elijah up to heaven, but God knew how determined Elisha was in following Elijah that He sent a chariot of fire to keep Elisha away from the whirlwind. 

The Challenge:

Elisha was determined to receive God's anointing from the man of God. We need people in today's society who are this determined to receive the anointing from God, and now, through Jesus, it's become so much easier for us to receive the anointing. Then only certain individuals were anointed by God and it was usually passed on through the last person who had the anointing, but now all we have to do is seek God ourselves. Yet few are doing it. It's time for us as a generation to start seeking the anointing of God on our lives. It's time for us to grasp the determination of Elisha and continue seeking after that 'double portion'. We need to seek that anointing no matter what hindrance comes our way. Because it is the anointing of God that breaks yokes; It is the anointing of God that brings healing; It is the anointing of God that brings life to those around us, and it is the anointing of God that will change our cities, states, countries, and the world!

The Prayer:

Lord, give me your anointing that I may do your work! Give me your anointing that I may bring life and healing to those around me! Anoint me today that others may see and feel and experience your anointing as I go through this day! In Jesus' name, Amen!