1 Kings 19:19

“So 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.”

Context:Before we explore this specific verse, it is important to understand the context. In the preceding verses (1 Kings 19:1-18), we learn that Elijah had just experienced a great victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. However, Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him, causing Elijah to flee in fear for his life. In his despair, Elijah reached Mount Horeb, the mountain of God.

Elijah’s encounter with Elisha:In 1 Kings 19:19, we see Elijah departing from Mount Horeb and coming across Elisha, who was plowing a field with twelve yoke of oxen. Elisha was diligently engaged in his work as a farmer when Elijah approached him. Elijah took off his mantle, a symbolic garment representing his prophetic office, and cast it upon Elisha.

Symbolism:This verse holds several symbolic elements:

• The mantle: Elijah’s act of casting his mantle upon Elisha signifies the calling of Elisha into the prophetic ministry. The mantle represented both authority and responsibility. By placing his mantle on Elisha, Elijah was essentially designating him as his successor and imparting his spiritual authority to him.
• Twelve yoke of oxen: The number twelve often represents completeness or fullness in the Bible. The fact that Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen emphasizes the abundance of his material possessions. It also suggests that Elisha was from a prosperous family and engaged in a significant agricultural enterprise.

Elisha’s response:The following verse, 1 Kings 19:20, reveals Elisha’s response to Elijah’s action. He immediately left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and asked for permission to bid farewell to his family. Elijah encouraged him to do so but added, “Go back again: for what have I done to thee?” (1 Kings 19:20, KJV).

Elisha’s response shows his readiness to leave everything behind and follow Elijah. His request to bid farewell to his family indicates the gravity of the commitment he was about to make.

Application:

The account of Elijah and Elisha holds valuable lessons for us today:

• Willingness to respond to God’s call:Elisha’s immediate response to Elijah’s call demonstrates his willingness to follow God’s leading without hesitation. It reminds us of the importance of being responsive and obedient when God calls us to a particular task or purpose.
• Leaving worldly attachments:Elisha’s readiness to leave his material possessions and bid farewell to his family exemplifies the willingness to let go of worldly attachments when called by God. It challenges us to examine our own priorities and be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of serving God and fulfilling His purposes in our lives.

In conclusion, 1 Kings 19:19 captures the pivotal moment when Elijah encounters Elisha and calls him to be his successor. The passage holds significant symbolism and highlights the themes of divine calling, obedience, and the willingness to leave worldly attachments. It serves as a reminder for us to be attentive to God’s call and ready to respond with wholehearted dedication.