The past several weeks have stirred up many memories. Today, I’m thinking of all the saints of God who played an important part in my life. Their dedication to God inspired me to become a faithful follower and servant of God. I’m remembering the anointing they had on their lives and how that anointing must not be lost. It must be passed from generation to generation.
In 1 Kings chapter 19, the prophet Elijah began a journey that led him to anoint two men who would become kings and a man who would be his successor. The Bible is silent on whether Elijah had met Elisha before. Elisha almost certainly knew who Elijah was. I love how verse 19 describes what may have been their first meeting. Elisha is out plowing in the field. It appears that Elijah simply walks by and throws his mantle, or his cloak, upon him. No conversation is recorded at that point.
A mantle was a long, heavy, robe-like coat, or cloak. In the Old Testament, it symbolized authority. For a prophet in Israel, it was a symbol of the power of God resting on him. When Elisha felt the Spirit of God’s anointing on his shoulder, it was so powerful that he left everything and followed Elijah.
At some point, Elijah retrieved his mantle because he had it when he struck the waters of the Jordan River, and it parted; he also had it when God sent a chariot of fire to take him to heaven. But Elijah left that mantle behind for Elisha to pick up, and he did.
Who are some people who set a godly example that continues to affect your life, even though they are now in heaven? Their anointing must not be lost. We must pick up the cloak and allow God to use us, just as He used them.
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