Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Elijah went straight out and found Elisha son of Shaphat in a field where there were twelve pairs of yoked oxen at work plowing; Elisha was in charge of the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak over him.
Elisha deserted the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please! Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye—then I’ll follow you.” “Go ahead,” said Elijah, “but, mind you, don’t forget what I’ve just done to you.”
So Elisha left; he took his yoke of oxen and butchered them. He made a fire with the plow and tackle and then boiled the meat—a true farewell meal for the family. Then he left and followed Elijah, becoming his servant.
We know little of the early life of Elisha. The son of Shaphat, he was born into a prosperous farming family. We see 12 pair of oxen so there is 24 oxen in all. He is working the 12th pair so that means he has 11 other servants manning the other. In other words, He is well off and He lived in the region of Abel-Meholah, which is translated “dancing meadow”. That is known as the breadbasket of Israel; a little fertile area right along the Jordan River.
In this season of his life, Elisha was fulfilling the role that was handed to him by his father. He was a farmer. The daily duties of caring for the animals, planting seeds, harvesting crops, and maintaining the equipment was very familiar to him and necessary in preparing him for his future calling as a prophet.
Have you ever been in a place in life that is very comfortable and life is good but you are unfulfilled inside. You probably ask a question that goes something like this: Is this all there is? There has to be more to life than this? Many have to come to this crossroads in life. If you are here, then I want to ask you to DO NOT be in haste but patiently wait upon the Lord to lead and direct you into your Calling. Just cause theres an “itch” doesn’t mean you’re the one that suppose to scratch it….that could lead to an infection later on. When it comes to God calling a person into service, He knows when your “ready” and He will be clear about the sacrifices that will come in the near future. Most of us have big dreams and imagine great things. I have always said, “do not pursue ministry, pursue God and He will open the door for that ministry when you are ready.” Elisha was ready. He had been serving daily, monthly, yearly on the farm. His character was being shaped and fashioned for the service of a prophet. A high calling that was needed in that time in Israel. But, his calling did not begin with a big dream on a big farm. It began with an act of arson. The burning down of not only his oxen but his farming equipment. A sacrifice that is common in the life of any individual desiring to serve God’s purposes.
The great prophet Elijah was commissioned by God to anoint Elisha as his prophetic successor. Elijah threw his cloak on him – a sign of commissioning – and the farmer promptly left his plough to follow the prophet, asking leave only to “kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Elijah permitted, and the newfound prophet marked the beginning of his ministry by slaying the oxen and burning his farming equipment. This feast signified Elisha’s unshakeable renunciation of his previous way of life. Elisha not only runs after His newfound mentor but he makes sure that there is nothing to run back to.
“[Elisha] took his yoke of oxen 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. (1 Kings 19:21)”
Extreme! Maybe but thats what happens when you are being compelled by the Spirit of God to follow Him and go “all in.” He takes the animals that are used to make a living and cooks them to feed to his friends. Whats more bizarre is that he also burns the plows as well. Elisha is making a decisive break from his old life, from the source of his livelihood, and from everything that represented a stable and predictable farming life behind the plow.
HERE’S MY POINT: If you want to fulfill the calling in your life, you must do the same. Burn your plow. The plow is what chains you to your ordinary. It could be various things in your life.
- A relationship thats not in alignment with your purpose.
- An attitude at your current job or community where He has called you to.
- A small dream that is safe.
- A past mistake you keep contending with. The inner critic that repeats itself deep within.
- A life that is too safe and too comfortable. Its good but not Gods best!
- fill in your blank here____________
If we want to step into our new life, we must first set on fire the old. Offer Him everything and dont ever look back! Is this possible even if you have a family! Yes it is! Not only possible but necessary.
When God called me into ministry, I was 19, had 2 children, and living in government housing. I didnt have much but I gave Him everything that I did have! It was a surrender and a sacrifice that was well worth it even to this day some 38 yrs later. It felt like I was losing or letting go of everything but somehow there was a freedom inside that brought a calmness and assurance. This peace within has never left and the life of sacrifice still remains. Burn your plow or whatever it is thats holding you back from complete surrender. For the disciples it was leaving their nets. For Elisha, it was buring his plow. What is it for you?
REFLECTION:
- “What is it, God? What personal plow do you want me to burn?”
The cost to follow Him is huge! The cost of not following Him is even greater.
