HOW TO REPLACE A GRUMPY PROPHET

 

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

 

HOW TO REPLACE A GRUMPY PROPHET

 

1 Kings 19:19-21

19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

 

Luke 9:61-62

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

 

          Elijah was tired and a bit grumpy as well. He had fought a great spiritual battle but the strain upon him left him in a cave asking God for retirement in the form of sudden death. God told him that he wasn’t quite finished with his tasks. He had at least two things left to do before mounting the fiery chariot for heaven. One of those was to select his own replacement.

 

          Elisha was found plowing with two dozen oxen which indicated that his family was wealthier than most. Elijah, without saying a word, cast his outer garment upon Elisha, indicating the Lord’s call upon his life. The sudden shift from plow man to preacher man must have been a shock. He requests just enough time to bid his family farewell. Elijah flew into a bit of a rage which questioned the commitment of this young farmer.

 

          What Elisha does next proved that he had no intention of limiting God’s control of his life. He killed two of the plow oxen for a farewell feast and used his plow for fuel. We might understand that he was “burning his bridges.” There would be no turning back because there was nothing to return to.

 

          Dr. Charles Stanley says: “You are only as committed as you are obedient to whatever God is asking of you at any given moment. If you've posted a "no trespassing" sign anywhere in your life, it's time to take it down.”

 

Dear Lord, I unlock all my locked and secret doors. I do not want to limit your access. AMEN