Elijah's First Disciple

Elijah's First Disciple: Elisha.

I Kings 19:19-20 NKJV

[19] So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. [20] And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”

Every person called of God has to have another to steward their calling. Making great impact without the directions of another may not be impossible, but rare in operations. So, after receiving instructions from Giyd, Elijah went on his first mission to recruit his replacement. You may call him an assistant, , a replacement, a disciple. It doesn't really matter. This is how Kyle Echols explains  the process . "...when the garments of Elijah was being tossed onto Elisha, he was leaving Elisha with a choice. Grab my garments or hold onto the plow. This choice sheds light on how God chooses to activate His calling in our own lives. Elisha was living his life, plowing fields with oxen, and what does Elijah do to invite him into his calling? He throws his garments onto him". Isnt it exciting that God  had to call someone who was already plowing a field? God could have picked one of the sons of the prophets. He didn't. God called Elisha. That is sovereign will.

   Tim Knight( July, 2022 ) adds a lesson: " This is a reminder that spiritual leadership does not always come from the religious establishment. The best leaders are not always found in the seminaries or universities or church hierarchies". Im a witness. I cant help but wonder at all the sons of the prophets. Gid didn't pick them

   In a blog post, John Smith observes another important point. " Elisha was trained by one of the most important figures in the history of Israel, Elijah. For a while after he begins to follow Elijah nothing is mentioned of him. He must have been merely observing and watching, learning by spending time with Elijah. Later, when Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9). Elisha’s ministry was anointed by the power of God and he performed more miracles than any other individual in the Bible except for Jesus". Stewardship produces better results. Imagine that this man be came double of his master. It takes humility, focus, steadfastness and sacrifice to become the better man. Gid expects you to be better than the primary. Serve until you cross the Jordan. Good morning.