Chapter 175. 1 Kings 19:19-2119So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. (1 Kings 19:19‑21). Elisha.
MUCH more cheerfully did Eli oh retrace his footsteps than when he came to Mount Hor. Then. he was fleeing because. of his want of faith, from Queen Jezebel; now, he had met and talked with the Lord, and knew more of His blessed love and care.
The way was long from Mount. Hor through the wilderness, through the land of Judah, through the land of Israel and across the Jordan into Syria, as far as Damascus. He must have often been weary, yet happy, because he was where God would have him. Obedience to Him is the only happy path. But no one who is yet in his sins has the power or the ability to obey God. When we become God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus, we become partakers of God’s own nature, and new thoughts and new desires are ours. We want then to live for the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Elijah did as God told him. He was to anoint Hazael as the coming Syrian king, then Jehu, Ahab’s captain, in the lace of Ahab, and finally to go to Abel-Meholah, not far from the Jordan river in the land of Israel to Elisha, who was to serve him.
As he came to the little town he saw a young man plowing in the field. He had twelve yoke of oxen, and he was driving the last. This was Elisha whom the prophet was seeking. God must have told Elijah it was he, for when Elijah saw him he threw his mantle over him, as a sign he was to be a prophet. Elisha was a God-fearing man, and must have been one among those seven thousands who had not bowed to the knees to Baal. Elisha understood the prophet’s action, and leaving his oxen, he ran to Elijah and said “Let, me, I pray thee, go and kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow thee.” Elijah said, “Go,” and Elisha went home and took two oxen and killed them for a feast. He prepared the flesh, boiled it, and gave it for food to the people. Then he followed Elijah, and waited on him in his journeys.
What a comfort he must have been to his master as they went together, and talked of the Lord’s love, as Elijah had learned it in His service! And what a privilege to Elisha, to hear such words of wisdom from the old prophet! Yet we now know God’s love as shown in Jesus so much heifer, so much more fully, than these two dear servants. Is it our delight to talk to Him, and to tell others about our blessed Saviour?
ML 03/18/1917