THE KING’S BUSINESS
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safe for Christ to make the same offer to thé one who “abides in him” and in whom His word abides (John 15:7). "And Elisha said, I pray thee let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” Elisha’s response to Elijah’s offer to give him what' he asked, shows the manner of man that Elisha was : his consuming desire was to be fitted for the work to .which God had called him, to be a useful servant of God. He asked neither riches, pleasure nor renown, but enduement for God’s service. There are many today who do not receive the Holy Spirit and enduement of power from on high, simply because there are so many other things that they desire more. If Christ should say to you tonight, “I will give you a choice of whatever you wish,” would you answer, “LORD, that I might receive they Holy Spirit?” It is a great thing to have a friend as mighty in prayer as Elij ah who can intercede for us that we might receive the Holy Spirit—and we all have such a friend (Rom. 8:34; Acts 2:33; John 11:42). Elijah’s parting bequest to his disciple was the same as Christ’s parting bequest to. His disciples (cf. John 14:16, 17; Acts 1 :4, 8; John 20:22). v. 10. "And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so." The conditions of Elisha’s request being granted, are very jah and ElisKa do not stop. >God had made a way through Jordan before and can again. How many see' Jordan afar off, lying between them and the coveted bless ing, and as soon as they see it they stop right there. Elijah and Elisha did not stop until they reached Jordan’s very brink. v. 8. "And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and'¿they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.” Elijah and Elisha scarcely stopped even at Jordan, only long enough for Elijah to grab off his mantle and roll it together and smite the waters. The waters divided before them, and the old man and his y.oung companion passed over on dry ground. The sons of the prophets who “stood to view afar off” did not get over the river, and no one who stands to view afar off ever gets very fa r: only the one who marches right down to the river’s brink. v. 9. "And it came to pass, when they were gone over, i that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before 1 be taken away from thee.” It was a wonder ful offer that Elijah made to Elisha, to give him whatever he asked, but a far greater than Elijah makes the same offer to us (John 14:13; 15:7). But how did Eli-, jah have it in his power to grant Elisha whatever he might ask? Because he was a mighty man of prayer, a min on great terms of intimacy and influence with the AhTiighty (cf. Acts 8:15-17). A man of prayer has it in his power to bestow greater bless ing upon others than any millionaire has, or any earthly king or emperor. Further more, Elijah was about to ascend to the presence of God, and be in the place where he could obtain things, even more readily than he had here on earth. But we, too, have an ascended man, one right in the presence of the Father, praying for us also (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34; John 14:12). But Elijah did not make this offer to Elisha until after he had crossed the Jordan. It would not be safe for him to make it to every man, but it was safe to make it to this man whom he had tested: and it is
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