1 Kings 19:20 – “Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. ‘Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,’ he said, ‘and then I will come with you.’ ‘Go back,’ Elijah replied. ‘What have I done to you?'”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Elisha reacts to Elijah’s call to follow him. After Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha, symbolizing the transfer of prophetic authority, Elisha immediately leaves his oxen, showing that he is willing to abandon his former life. However, before fully committing to following Elijah, Elisha asks for permission to say goodbye to his parents. Elijah’s response, “What have I done to you?” can be interpreted as a way of giving Elisha the freedom to consider the weight of the calling and the decision he’s about to make. Elijah doesn’t coerce Elisha; he allows him to make his own choice to follow God’s call.
Historical Context
Elisha lived during a time of spiritual and political turmoil in Israel. The kingdom was under the influence of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who promoted the worship of Baal. Elijah had just come through a period of discouragement, where he felt alone in his efforts to bring the people back to God. After God reassures Elijah and instructs him to anoint Elisha as his successor, Elijah finds Elisha working on his family’s farm. In ancient Israel, plowing with oxen was a common practice for farmers, and Elisha’s occupation shows that he was engaged in ordinary work when God called him to a higher purpose. This reflects how God often calls people from their everyday lives into service.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse shows that following God’s call sometimes requires leaving behind our old way of life. Elisha’s request to kiss his parents goodbye indicates his recognition that this call would change the course of his life permanently. His willingness to leave behind his family and occupation demonstrates the cost of following God’s calling. This connects to the idea of discipleship, where one must be willing to make personal sacrifices to follow God fully. Elijah’s response also highlights that the call to serve God is personal and voluntary—Elisha is not being forced into this role, but he is invited to embrace it willingly.
Literary Analysis
The verse captures a moment of decision for Elisha. The phrase “Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah” signifies the immediacy of his response to the call, showing both urgency and eagerness. The act of leaving behind his oxen, a symbol of his livelihood, is a powerful image of letting go of his former identity. His request to say goodbye to his parents introduces a tension between the old life and the new calling, which Elijah acknowledges by allowing him the freedom to choose his path. The dialogue between Elisha and Elijah is brief but loaded with meaning, emphasizing the weight of the decision Elisha is making.
Biblical Cross-References
- Luke 9:61-62 – Jesus encounters someone who wants to follow Him but first asks to say goodbye to his family. Jesus responds, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God,” highlighting the seriousness of the call to follow.
- Matthew 4:18-22 – Jesus calls His first disciples while they are fishing, and they immediately leave their nets to follow Him, similar to how Elisha leaves his oxen to follow Elijah.
- Philippians 3:13-14 – Paul speaks about forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, which parallels the need for Elisha to leave his former life behind to pursue God’s call.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that following God’s call often requires making sacrifices and leaving behind the familiar. Elisha’s decision to follow Elijah reflects the kind of commitment that is required when God calls us to a new purpose. It might mean leaving behind old habits, comforts, or even relationships to fully embrace the path God has for us. This verse encourages believers to be willing to let go of the past and trust God’s plan for the future, knowing that His calling is worth the sacrifice.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in this verse through His personal call to Elisha. God didn’t leave Elijah to struggle alone but raised up a successor who would continue the prophetic work. This demonstrates God’s love for His people, ensuring that His message would continue to be proclaimed. Furthermore, God’s call to Elisha is not one of compulsion but of invitation. Just as God gives Elisha the freedom to decide whether or not to follow, He gives each of us the choice to respond to His calling out of love and obedience, not obligation.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Elisha’s response to Elijah’s call mirrors the way Jesus called His disciples to leave their old lives behind and follow Him. Jesus, like Elijah, called people out of their ordinary lives to take up a new mission. Elisha’s willingness to leave his family and work behind points forward to the kind of radical discipleship that Jesus demands. Jesus teaches that following Him may require leaving behind family, security, and livelihood to fully embrace His calling (Matthew 10:37-39). Elisha’s decision to follow Elijah foreshadows the kind of commitment that Jesus expects from His followers.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What has God called you to leave behind in order to fully follow His plan for your life?
- How does Elisha’s willingness to follow Elijah challenge you to trust God’s calling, even when it requires personal sacrifice?
- In what ways can you encourage others who may be facing a difficult decision to follow God’s call in their lives?