“So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.” 1 Kings 19:19-21 NLT
God who chooses,
Elisha was not part of a school of prophets (2 Kings 2:3 Bethel, 2:15 Jericho, 2Kings 4:38 Gilgal). He is a farmer using 12 yoke of oxen. So perhaps a well off family? He takes Elijah seriously. I wonder if Elijah thought his family would persuade him not to go? Elijah does not try to persuade him but asks a question, “What have I done to you?” Was that because he wanted Elisha to know it was You God that led him there that day not his own good idea?
Elisha returned to Elijah after burning his bridges behind him. 12 yoke of oxen. He didn’t need to do that but it showed he was not going to return to the plough. He knew what Elijah had done. Simply relayed God’s call.
You call us to holy living and sometimes to particular service. But that does not make us more special. We do not all have to burn our employment bridges behind us. But we do have to burn our self reliance our let me do it my way! We turn away from sin. Sometimes, someone else can see what Your calling on our life is but it is up to us to consider and decide if what we hear is in agreement. You know we sometimes need to hear several times to be sure. Elisha hears and obeys. Help us know clearly when You want us to do something specific and help us to put our hands to what is in front of us. Where we are called to help others to do it willingly as if for You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 28th June 2025
From Heaven, You came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live
This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King
There in the garden of tears
My heavy load he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
“Yet not My will but Yours”, He said
Chorus . . .
Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered
Chorus . . .
So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone Him
Each other’s needs to prefer
For it is Christ we’re serving
Chorus . . .
Lyrics: Graham Kendrick, Chris Llewellyn, Gareth Gilkeson