NOTES for Ki1 19:19-21
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. |
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? |
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. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. |
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What an astonishing example Elisha gives us! What do we see? A man working in the field, and working with his own cattle, which means he is rather well off. And then he commits a "reckless" act: in a single moment he decides to follow Elijah, leaving everything he has. And how does he decide, after what? A doubting heart would hardly understand a "thrown mantle" as an unambiguous sign from God (1 Kings 19:19)... And Elijah himself then asks Elisha, "What have I done to you?" (1 Kings 19:20), thereby giving him yet another opportunity to doubt... But for Elisha yes is yes and no is no (see Matt 5:37).
The thought that appeared in his heart, that this is what God wants, immediately turns into readiness to fulfill His will, followed by action. May the Lord give us the same strength to make the right choice when there dawns in the heart even a very faint, but still real, understanding of what is better for Him...
Readings for 12 June 2026
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