1 Kings 19:19-21 ESV

19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “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?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

THE MANTLE
Elijah cast his mantle upon Elisha. According to Adam Clarke, “The mantle, or pallium, was the peculiar garb of the prophet, as we may learn from Zechariah 13:4; and this was probably made of skin dressed with the hair on. See also 2 Kings 1:8.” The act of Elijah casting his mantle to Elisha was a symbol of ushering him into the prophetic calling. Elijah did as God had told him for the calling should be always coming from God. If not for God’s revelation, Elijah have no way of knowing.

Like Samuel, we have the tendency to look at the external qualities. As he assessed Jesse’s sons starting from the eldest, he thought each guy was worth anointing to be the next king. David was ruled out by his father but he was God’s choice. He looked at the heart.

Elisha was diligent in his trade when God called him. "Elisha is found not in his study, but in the field: not with a book in his hand, but the plough" (Hall). Diligence or faithfulness precedes God’s calling. Jesus declared this principle, saying, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”[Luke 16:10] Prov 22;29 even says;
“Do you see a man skillful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.”
Simply said, God calls and uses people who are active and productive.

The demand was great and he counted the cost. Most probably, he was a man of wealth but had given up willingly and freely everything to follow God’s call. He took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. He made a statement that for him there was no turning back.

Peter and the others did the same. When Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”[Matt 4:19,20] God deserves our all. Thus, we must be willing to let go anything should He asks us to. However, God are calling also tentmaking missionaries who may engage in other jobs in order to support their full timework in God.

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