So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen's equipment, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah. So Elisha turned back from him,Elisha left Elijah briefly to make a final and public break with his former life as a farmer. His return was not hesitation but preparation to follow the call God had placed on him. 2Ki 2:2 “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.”… took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. The oxen represented Elisha’s livelihood and security. By sacrificing them, he showed that he would not return to his old occupation. Lev 1:5 And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD,… Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, Elisha burned the wooden farming implements to prepare the meal, removing the means by which he had worked his fields. His departure was complete and irreversible. 1Sa 6:14 The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh… he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. The meal allowed those around him to share in the occasion and marked his departure from his household and community. Gen 18:8 Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf… Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah. Elisha became Elijah’s attendant and disciple, learning from the prophet before later receiving the responsibility of prophetic ministry in Israel. 2Ki 3:11 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD… Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet called by God to succeed Elijah. He demonstrates his commitment by leaving his former life behind. 2. Elijah A prominent prophet in Israel, known for his powerful ministry and miracles. He is tasked with anointing Elisha as his successor. 3. Oxen Represent Elisha's former livelihood as a farmer. Their slaughter signifies his complete break from his past. 4. The People Likely Elisha's family and community, who witness his transition and partake in the meal. 5. The Act of Following Elisha's decision to follow Elijah symbolizes his dedication to God's calling. Teaching Points Total Commitment to God's CallElisha's actions show that following God's call often requires leaving behind our past and comforts. Sacrificial Obedience The slaughtering of the oxen symbolizes a sacrifice, indicating that true obedience may involve significant personal cost. Public Declaration of Faith By sharing the meal with the people, Elisha publicly declares his new path, encouraging us to be open about our faith commitments. Mentorship and Discipleship Elisha's willingness to serve Elijah highlights the importance of learning and growing under godly mentorship. Trust in God's Provision Leaving his livelihood, Elisha trusts God to provide for his future, reminding us to rely on God's faithfulness. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Elisha's decision to slaughter his oxen teach us about the nature of true commitment to God's calling?2. How can we apply the principle of leaving our past behind, as seen in Elisha's actions, to our own spiritual journey? 3. In what ways can we publicly declare our faith and commitment to God's call in our lives today? 4. How does the relationship between Elijah and Elisha inform our understanding of the importance of mentorship in our spiritual growth? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to trust God for provision after making a significant life change. How does Elisha's account encourage you in that trust? Connections to Other Scriptures Luke 9:62Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship, emphasizing the need to leave the past behind, similar to Elisha's actions. Philippians 3:13-14 Paul talks about forgetting what is behind and pressing on toward the goal, paralleling Elisha's commitment. Matthew 4:18-22 The calling of the first disciples, who also leave their livelihoods to follow Jesus, mirrors Elisha's response. Hebrews 11:24-26 Moses' choice to leave the comforts of Egypt for God's calling reflects Elisha's decision. 2 Kings 2:9-14 Elisha's request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit and his subsequent ministry demonstrate the fulfillment of his calling.
People Abel, Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Hazael, Israelites, Jehu, Jezebel, Nimshi, ShaphatPlaces Abel-meholah, Beersheba, Damascus, Horeb, Jezreel, SyriaTopics Ate, Attendant, Boiled, Burned, Cook, Cooking, Death, Eat, Elijah, Eli'jah, Equipment, Feast, Flesh, Follow, Followed, Giveth, Got, Implements, Instruments, Killed, Meat, Ministered, Oxen, Pair, Plowing, Returned, Riseth, Sacrificed, Sacrificeth, Servant, Served, Serveth, Slaughtered, Slew, Taketh, Turneth, Yoke, YokesDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 19:21 4696 yoke 4478 meat Library Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube'And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time. 3. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture What Doest Thou Here? God's Gentle Power "Therefore, Brethren, we are Debtors, not to the Flesh, to Live after the Flesh," A Solemn Address to those who Will not be Persuaded to Fall in with the Design of the Gospel. What Doest Thou Here? An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses. The Uses of the Law Seven Sanctified Thoughts and Mournful Sighs of a Sick Man Ready to Die. Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the Mother of all the Godly. Concerning the Ministry. Grace Before Meat. Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: "My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin Not. And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father," The Case of the Christian under the Hiding of God's Face. Conflicts with Giant Mistake Concerning Peaceableness Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha, which are Quoted, or Incidentally Illustrated, in the Institutes. Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures and Excommunication. A Cloud of Witnesses. Links 1 Kings 19:21 NIV1 Kings 19:21 NLT 1 Kings 19:21 ESV 1 Kings 19:21 NASB 1 Kings 19:21 KJV 1 Kings 19:21 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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