READ: 1 Kin. 19:19–20:21: … Elijah went over to him and threw his mantle on him … He left the oxen … they ate … Then he arose, followed Elijah, and served him … I will deliver it into your hand today … so that he struck Syria with a great blow …
Elijah receives instructions from the LORD at Horeb to continue his prophetic ministry. This includes the anointing of Elisha as prophet in his place (1 Kin. 19:16).
Elijah immediately carries out this command. He meets Elisha, who is about twenty-five years old and active in agriculture. Elijah throws his prophetic mantle upon him. From this Elisha understands that he must continue Elijah’s prophetic work.
It is remarkable that Elisha does not deliberate about what he must give up or whether he is suited for it. He immediately accepts the calling as a divine calling. This must have been worked in him by the LORD.
We see the same working of the LORD in Peter and Andrew when they are called by Jesus as the first disciples to follow Him; they also respond immediately without hesitation and leave their nets behind (Matt. 4:17–22).
Elisha must first be thoroughly trained by Elijah for his task. Elijah acts in this role for a long time. He continues to be active as a prophet, even during the reign of King Joram, the son of Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 21:12–15).
But before Elisha follows Elijah, he bids farewell to his family and his work. Elijah permits him to do so (19:20). It becomes a great farewell meal. The departure is final: he will now devote himself entirely to the service of the LORD.
The continuation of the passage concerns the conflict between the Syrian king Ben-Hadad and Ahab, king of Israel. In this history the LORD shows who He is: the Almighty, faithful to His word. Through a prophet He makes known to Ahab His divine promise of unexpected deliverance and fulfills it.
Thus the LORD confirms His greatness after the events on Carmel with the promised victory in war. What a divine encouragement! Yet we read nothing of any acknowledgment from Ahab.
Do we prepare ourselves for our service to the LORD?
Singing: Ps. 25:2