In today's reading from chapter 19 we meet the other prophet upon which our study will focus - Elisha. God provides Elijah with much needed support in the person of Elisha. We find the same kind of relationship that God provided for Moses in the person of Joshua - an "attendant", an aide, a successor.
Remember, the name, Elijah, means: "The Lord is my God". Elisha's name means: "God is salvation" or "God saves". With both men, their names express the essence of their ministry and life's work. As with Moses, God provides a person to finish the work ... because God's purposes will be fulfilled ... even when His servants grow weary.
Notice a couple of things in these verses:
1. The phrase, "threw his cloak around him", designates Elisha as Elijah's chosen successor. Actually, God's chosen successor for Elijah. Elisha understood the significance of the gesture. He immediately responds. God knows the hearts of people. Elisha was going about his business when he was touched by God for this special relationship and special role. Lesson for us? Waiting on God does not mean sitting around doing nothing. We keep living our lives, faithfully, in the places where we are. We stay in communication with God always ... ever ready for a "word" from Him. When that "word" comes ... we are then prepared to respond.
2. Secondly, Elisha approached his commission with an "all or nothing" mindset. Did you notice in verse 21 the COMPLETE break with his past vocation and work? It reminds me of what I have read about the Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortez. In 1519 Cortez and his crew made land near the site of Veracruz, Mexico. Cortez burned his ships so that there would be no thought of retreat or return. That's total commitment! And that is exactly what Elisha did. He LEFT his former vocation ... and followed Elijah. Will we live with that kind of commitment?
Listen to Paul in Romans 6: 1 - 4 ...
What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with Him
through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from
the dead through the glory of the Father,
we too may live a new life.
I am reminded of the little song ... sing it with me as we close this week ...
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
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