“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13:14)
Elisha had come to the end of his ministry; and he was about to rapture. It was an open secret because the students of the company of prophets had already got wind of it. His disciple, Elisha, somehow had a presentiment of this taking place. Several attempts by Prophet Elijah to dissuade him by requesting him to go on errands to Bethel, Jericho and Jordan turned out futile. Elisha did not budge. Each time Elisha would reply: “I will not leave you.” When the company of prophets quizzed Elisha about this, he would politely ask them not to talk about it.
At this point prophet Elijah, after they had crossed the Jordan came out openly: “Tell me what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” (2 Kings 2:9) The answer came promptly from Elisha’s lips: “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.” (verse9b) The prophet replied: “You have asked a difficult thing, yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.” (verse10)
Elisha stuck by his mentor to the very last end as the event just happened SUDDENDLY! But he witnessed it and exclaimed: “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel! And Elisha saw him no more.” (verse12) Elisha met the condition as an eye-witness of Prophet Elijah’s departure.
What motivated Elisha was not his personal gain but the need to serve his God and to be of service to others. He offered himself fully so that God’s glory may be seen. He was determined to take off where his master had left off. The same spirit dwelt in King Solomon who put the interest of the kingdom first.
How very focused and purpose-driven are we? Whatever the answer, we need to have the right focus bearing in mind the times and the seasons.