Part 19) The Call of Elisha

1 Kings 19:14-21

This week we continue our side note off of the kings of Israel and continue to take a look at Elijah. Elijah has just fled from Jezreel all the way to Mount Sinai covering a distance well over 200 miles. He arrived at a cave where God revealed Himself by a still small voice. Today we pick up our study as God is giving Elijah his next task to complete.

The Judgement of Israel

God lays out three men that God is calling for three different purposes. The first one to be anointed is Elisha with the purpose of picking up where Elijah leaves off. The next two to be anointed, it isn’t even Elijah who anoints them but Elisha (because Elijah was taken into heaven before the task was completed). In this way Elisha is a type of Christ and Elijah is a type of John the baptist. John was calling people to repentance, but his ministry was cut short and Jesus continued and finished the work that had been started.

The first that God calls Elijah to anoint is Hazael to be king over Syria. We know that God is sovereign and that He is the one who raises up and takes down rulers, but this is very different because God is calling a prophet to anoint a king in a foreign land. Hazael is going to come against Israel with the sword. He will burn houses and violently kill many (2 Kings 8:7-15). Hazael will be bringing the judgement of God on the people of Israel for their continued Idol worship.

The next that God is calling to be anointed is Jehu. Jehu was the military commander for Ahab an was anointed by Elisha to cut down the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:7-8). Our God is longsuffering, but His patience has a limit. Just as Hazael will bring judgement on Israel, Jehu will bring judgement on the house of Ahab, for Ahab brought Baal worship to the land and was more wicked than any of the kings before. God detests Idol worship. In Isaiah 41:24 God states that anyone who chooses to serve idols in an abomination. Since God hates idols it is very important that when we worship God, we do so correctly and worship Him alone.

The Remnant

Elijah is feeling like he is alone, no one else is there who hasn’t worshipped Baal. No one still follows God, but that isn’t the case. God here is reminding Elijah, you are not alone. Though it seems that way, Obadiah saved 100 prophets and God says that there are 7,000 who haven’t bowed to Baal. Though it is a time of great apostacy, God has preserved His people. Whether it is persecution, apostacy, or judgement that is taking place, God at all times makes sure that there is a faithful few to carry on His name.

The Call of Elisha

The first thing we see with Elisha is it is God who calls (Jn 15:16). Before it had even been revealed to Elisha that he was going to be the next prophet, Elijah was sent to anoint him. Just as Elisha was appointed to serve God. The same thing is true for us. We don’t serve God because we have made a decision or we are so godly. It is by divine appointment that we were chosen to serve God. Elijah would find Elisha not in a school or teaching in a synagogue. He found Elisha in the field plowing and getting ready to plant the fields. It doesn’t matter where you are at in life or what your job or title is. If God wants to use you, He will. The next thing we see is how Elijah anoints him. Instead of using oil Elijah casts his cloak upon him. Anointing was used by different people for different applications, usually it was done with oil but it is always symbolic of the Holy Spirit coming upon someone. Romans 13:14 and Galatians 3:27 both describe putting on the Holy Spirit as you would a garment. It would seem that Elijah was using this type of imagery in the anointing of Elisha covering him with his cloak as the Holy Spirit would come and clothe him bringing Elisha into the line of prophets. We must remember that the same Spirit that clothed Elisha is the same Spirit that anointed us and is our seal (2 Cor 1:21-22), and He is the same Spirit that teaches us so we won’t be led astray (1 John 2:20-21).

When Elisha is called, his reaction is inspiring. The position that Elisha was called into wasn’t one of great wealth or security. Elijah had been fed by ravens, had fled across the desert for close to two months, and was used to being hunted by the king. Despite all of that Elisha desires to leave his wealth and pursue the service of God knowing that it’s not about the wealth that we acquire here that matters but the changes we make for the kingdom. How do we know he was wealthy? He was plowing not with two, not with four, but twelve yoke of oxen. When called, Elisha takes his livelihood, his oxen; and sacrifices them to God. Talk about a statement of no turning back. The only request that he makes is to say goodbye to his mother and father. This was probably on the mind of the young man in Luke 9:61. The reaction that Jesus has to the man in Luke makes us think that it probably wasn’t just to say goodbye. The young man very well could have been hesitant, his parents could be against him leaving, or maybe all he was thinking of was what he was losing by serving Jesus. Any case Jesus tells him that “no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom.” With Elijah we see that he wanted to pay respect to his parents but he had no intention of or turning back from his call. He had burned that bridge (and oxen).

What does the anointing of Jehu and Hazael teach us about the character and holiness of God?

At the time when Elijah feels alone, God reveals that He has set apart 7,000 as a remnant. How can this be an encouragement for us when we are dealing with struggles?

How do we ensure we are one of the 7,000 who don’t follow Baal?

What impact does it have on your life knowing that you were called by God?

Does knowing that you are anointed give you comfort? What about boldness?

Why was Elijah so quick and willing to give up everything he had to go wander in the desert, be hunted, and hated?

What would you be willing to do/give up for the kingdom of God?

Why would we “look back” after putting our hand to the plow?

What are ways we might be tempted to “look back?” Whether in ministry, parenthood, helping, giving?