THE CALL OF ELISHA
Key verse: 20
NIV
The Call of Elisha
19 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(A) around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,”(B) 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(C) 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.(D)
Cross references
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
The Call of Elisha
19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast (A)his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, (B)“Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh (C)with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Elisha, plowing for his father (19-2
)
After returning from Mount Sinai, Elijah went first to find the man who was to be his successor, Elisha. Elisha was evidently from a wealthy family. When Elijah found him, he was plowing with 12 yoke of oxen, personally driving the 12th pair. Perhaps he was supervising the work of several servants. When Elijah threw his cloak around him, Elisha knew that God was calling him. The first thing that came to his mind was his parents.
2. Elisha's clear decision (21)
Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah. But one thing held him back. He asked if he might kiss his parents good-bye. Elijah did not compromise. He said, 'Go on back. Just forget about it.' So Elisha went back, but not to kiss his parents good-bye. He burned the plow and cooked the oxen and gave the meat to the people. He was no longer a family man. He was God's servant. He followed Elijah.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your calling, and for the reminder that I belong to you.
One Word: God's calling is costly
