19-So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke
of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
- (TR)When the time came for Elijah to groom a successor, he used his mantle ceremonially
with Elisha:”. Elijah invest in Elisha. For Elisha this was a unexpected call. Elijah found
Elisha by divine direction not in the school of prophets, but in the field not reading, praying,
but ploughing, He was working.
20-And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my
mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to
thee?
- (TR)Elisha was ready to leave everything he knew, he made a complete surrender to follow
Elijah. Here is a man that had consulted with flesh and blood, you would not expect a man
like Elisha to be found worthy or expected to wear the Mantel of a Great Prophet like Elijah.
Elisha was drawn to go with Elijah.
- (TR)No one would come to Christ unless they are drawn by him. God will never force us to
follow him. The Bible teaches us to count the cost, one must volunteer. It is in a day of
power, that Christ’s subject are made willing and able.
21-And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh
with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Them he arose, and
went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
- (TR)On life’s path, you will find your Heavenly calling. The Lord knows them that are his, just
as the Wheat is lost in chaff, a separating day will come, when the sifting & Refining is done.
And as Gold is lost in dross, Gods chosen people are not seen by others, and though we do
not see, he sees all and he sees that which is in secret. We are to make our calling and our
election sure. For those that will be Ministering, by preaching, teaching or a prophet, must
have time to learn & those that hope, hereafter to rise & rule must be willing at first to stoop
and to serve. Just as Elisha accepted His call given to him, you and I must accept the path
that God has chosen for us.
- (TR)It is estimated at least 4 to 8 years has passed since the time of his calling until Elijah’s
departure in a Chariot of Fire…..(BUT) you can assume that he faithfully served Elijah
during that period and learned from him.
|
