Lessons From Elisha

On Wednesday evening, my Pastor taught on Elisha and brought up some interesting truths about this prophet of God that I never had thought of before.

1 Kings 19:19-21, "So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."
"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?"
So Elisha left him and went back. He 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 and became his attendant."

It is likely that Elisha came from a very wealthy family based on the fact that he had twelve pair of oxen. Having livestock during this time period marked the amount of wealth they had. I found it interesting that when Elisha decided to follow Elijah, he sacrificed (gave up) the oxen. He used his plow to cook the meat and then shared it with the town.

In a sense Elisha burned his bridge behind him, when he made his decision to follow this man of God. He choose to leave all of his worldly ties and securities and step into an unknown world. He walked in faith, trusting God with his future. What are you willing to give up to follow Jesus?