THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH AS WELL AS THE POWER.
By David Paulson
Enoch and Elijah are types of the remnant people, who will be translated for exactly the same reasons that Enoch and Elijah were. Christ had so fully taken possession of them that they were lifted above the power of sin and disease. Our work is to be characterized not only by the power of Elijah, but also by the spirit of Elijah. It is natural for us to long for the power of Elijah in our work,—that power which brought fire from heaven, that power which enabled him fearlessly to denounce iniquity, and to run before Ahab’s chariot without even the suggestion of fatigue; but let us take a glance at the character of Elijah’s spirit. The Lord told him to go and anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, and evidently, from the condition of affairs, it was not difficult for the prophet to see that this was the proper thing to do; and from a human standpoint, it must have been a joy to him to be chosen to take a leading part in such an important reformation. Further, the Lord told him to anoint Jehu to be king over Israel. When we take into consideration how Elijah’s heart must have been stirred at the weak and sinful course of king Ahab, it is not hard for us to imagine what a thrill of joy must have passed over him when he learned that God was going to use him to bring about such a necessary reform as to anoint the new king. But mark the next commission: “Elisha . . . shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.” Remember, Elisha was the man whose business it was to follow Elijah around, and get water for him to wash his hands. 2 Kings 3:11. Note particularly that the Lord does not even tell Elijah that he has another thing on earth for him to do. Perhaps, from a human standpoint, it looked as if he was absolutely to be laid aside. But he did not fail even at this last and supreme test of his life. Not only did he not fail, but he asked the Lord to put a double portion of his Spirit upon Elisha; or, in other words, to make him twice as great a man as himself. And lo! after he had performed this trying duty, he not only went to heaven, but a chariot of fire and horses of fire took him there. The fact that Elijah’s work could close and open the heavens, and that by his word fire could come down, was not sufficient proof that he was ready to go to heaven without seeing death; but when he could turn over his own work to his servant, without the prospect of anything before him, then he was ready to be translated. This closing work is to be done in the spirit of Elijah as well as in the power of Elijah. If we have that spirit that can daily say, in reference to our brethren, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” we shall have but a short time to wait before we shall be endued with the power of Elijah.