Is the Call of God going out to someone today?
The prophet Elijah had a personal crisis, due to the corrupt National leadership in Israel – Jezebel had sworn to kill him. He fled for his life after the victory on Mount Carmel when the nation returned to their God and the prophets of Baal were all killed, their power structure in Israel was gone.
Elijah had an encounter with God at the cave on Mt Horeb and God spoke to him there with the next phase of his plan to secure total victory in Israel.
15 The Lord said to him, ‘Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, ANOINT HAZAEL king over Aram. 16 Also, ANOINT JEHU son of Nimshi king over Israel, and ANOINT ELISHA son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah TO SUCCEED YOU AS PROPHET. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 YET I RESERVE SEVEN THOUSAND IN ISRAEL – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.’ (God corrected Elijah, he had kept a group of servants faithful to Himself, Numbering 7000!) 1 Kings 19
The Call of Elisha and some things we can learn from it.
Firstly a Call can be ACCEPTED OR REJECTED, Elisha accepted.
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?’ (Elijah told Elisha he could go back if he wanted to).
Second, Elisha was one of three people named by God and they had AN OVERLAP IN THEIR CALLINGS (to make sure God’s purpose was completed), to put to death God’s enemies. To finish what Elijah had begun on Mount Carmel!
Third, Elisha burnt his bridges, he slew his oxen, cooked the meat by burning his plough and gave it to the people, no way back to the old life! His Calling came abruptly and unexpectedly into his life.
21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the ploughing 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.
Elijah was faced with his own humanity (mortality), he’d told God he’d had enough and now he appointed his successor.
Fourth, Elisha wasn’t sent to the School of Prophets, like so many others. He was Elijah’s servant and depending on how that relationship faired, he could become the next National Prophet of Israel. Elisha wasn’t with the other trainee prophets, just one senior prophet, like a father and son. God’s plan was individually tailored to his life and Calling.
Elisha, who’d owned twelve yoke of oxen was now a servant (began by serving) to the senior prophet. If you’re willing to answer God’s Call on your life today, He’ll show you His perfect plan for your future.
God bless and keep you today.