Thoughts for the Day

So Elijah set out from Mount Horeb, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was ploughing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, ‘Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.’ Then Elijah said to him, ‘Go back again; for what have I done to you?’ He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

God spoke to Elijah while on the mountain of Horeb (Sinai) and told him to travel north to the wilderness of Damascus, then to anoint two men as kings, Hazael, over the Kingdom of Syria; and Jehu, over the Kingdom of Israel. He is also to appoint his own successor, Elisha.

The calling of the latter is like no other. There is no voice or vision from God, but a practical calling. Elisha comes from a wealthy family - there are twelve yoke of oxen - and instead of using oil to anoint him to his new role Elijah throws his cloak over him. This may seem an odd action, but the 'mantle' will reoccur in the story again when Elisha actually succeeds Elijah. We should also note that Elisha picks up the mantle, thus accepting the call. His action in killing the cattle that provided his livelihood and giving the food away also confirms his acceptance of his new vocation, for he has no need of them any more.

At first Elisha is to be a servant and follower of Elijah as we can see much later, for when King Jehoshaphat is seeking a prophet he is directed to "Elisha son of Shaphat, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah". But his training would eventually lead to his being Elijah's successor as a prophet.

Today a commitment to discipleship is no different. There is a need to put the old life aside, a bit like 'clearing the decks for action' and setting a new course for the ship, or perhaps throwing out the rubbish when we move house before moving on. We haven't time to look back, for we are set for a new future as disciples of our Lord, and we shall do the work He asks of us, and follow where He leads

Father-God,
You have called each of us to follow You,
but sometimes we have spurned the call;
or chosen not to hear it;
or ignored it.
Teach us to respond with trust,
to follow where You will lead us,
and to draw ever closer to You.
Amen.