The word was out. The “company of the prophets at Bethel” knew and asked Elisha, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” The “company of prophets at Jericho” also approached him and asked the same question. And, both times, Elisha responded, “Yes, I know, so be quiet.” Perhaps Elisha was a little unsettled. After all, his mentor and master was being taken by God. He had every right to feel nervous and anxious. He had a purpose to stay close to Elijah and he certainly wasn’t going to leave Elijah out of his sight. Thus, he went to Bethel with him, and to Jericho and even to Jordan.
When they stopped at Jordan, “Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?’’ Elisha didn’t flinch! “‘Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,’ Elisha replied. ‘You have asked a difficult thing, ’Elijah said, ‘yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise it will not.’” 2 Kings 2:8-10
Elisha knew he could be the heir to Elijah. He knew it in his heart and he took the liberty to request the double portion. Elijah was his spiritual father and he asked as was the custom of the firstborn son receiving a double portion of the father’s inheritance. Elisha’s motives were authentic; he didn’t have a personal agenda. He wanted to serve God and accomplish more for God; not become more powerful than Elijah.
When our motives are geared toward God’s honor and glory and not our own; God will use us vigorously knowing our heart’s true desire. God granted Elisha’s request because he knew that Elisha’s request and motives were to honor and to serve him. “Our motives must be holy, that is, arising from a desire to do something simply because it is the will of God.” –Jerry Bridge, The Pursuit of Holiness. Proverbs 16:2 says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.”
Motives? It’s good practice to keep them in check!
ritasalomon 