A very real difficulty confronted him. Let us note that he looked the difficulty squarely in the face. To close our eyes to difficulties gets us nowhere, nor is anything gained by underestimating or belittling them. When his master s mantle fluttered to his feet, Elisha knew beyond doubt that heaven had granted his request. Not only had he seen Elijah at the moment of his departure, but the gift of his prophetical garment was an additional token of receiving a double portion of his spirit.
Testing always follows the bestowment of a divine gift.
No sooner did the Spirit of God descend upon Christ than He led Him into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. This is of deep interest and importance, for it inculcated a truth of the greatest possible moment. That was what the mantle had been given to him for not to be idolized as a venerable memento, but to be made practical use of. By cleaving so steadfastly to his master, Elisha had already given proof that he was indwelt by the Spirit, and now the double portion became his. This too he used, and used in the right way.