Passing On The Mantle...

2 Kings 2:8-14 (KJV)

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.

9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over , that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said , I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

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.

11 And it came to pass, as they still went on , and talked , that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried , My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back , and stood by the bank of Jordan;

14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said , Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

I have read this story many times.  But, it has been on my mind today.  A mantle was originally used to keep someone warm from the cold.  But, it also worn by those in authority.  The Hebrew word for mantle is defined as an ample or large cloak.  But, figuratively, it is defined as powerful or godly.  

So, with those definitions in mind, It makes me look at the story in a different light.  Not only was it a physical cloak that Elijah passed on to Elisha, but I believe it signifies the anointing and godly attributes that were passed onto Elisha.

Now, Elisha requested that he receive a double portion of Elijah's spirit.  Just what does that mean?  "Spirit" in this verse is translated from the Hebrew as follows:  "spirit, animation, vivacity, vigor; courage; temper; patience;  prophetic spirit; desire; imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power; as endowing men with various gifts; as energy of life; as manifest in the Shekinah glory".  Now, that is a lot of different definitions.  But, it kind of gives you an idea of how figuratively Elijah passed on more to Elisha that just a piece of cloth.

Just as the mantle was used to keep someone warm from the cold, the anointing and godly attributes that are imparted to us can protect us from the "cold wintry winds" that come our way during trials and various circumstances.  There are so many blessing available to us as children of God.  It more than just a mere title..."I am a child of God".  IN these last days, we need to seek God and start tapping into that anointing and power He has for His children!