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TOPIC: Pink, Arthur - Gleanings From Elisha (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 02-His Call
Other Subjects in this Topic:
HIS CALL
Chapter 2
In The Introduction we noted the close connection between the missions
and ministries of Elijah and Elisha. Let us now consider the personal
relation that existed between the two prophets themselves. This is
something more than a point of interest. It throws light upon the
character and career of the latter, and it enables us to discern the
deeper spiritual meaning which is to be found in this portion of the
Word. There was a twofold relation between them: one official, and the
other more intimate. The former is seen in 1Ki_19:16 where we learn
that Elijah was commanded to "anoint Elisha to be prophet," and it is
worthy of note that while it is generally believed all the prophets were
officially "anointed" yet Elisha's case is the only one expressly
recorded in Scripture. Next we learn that immediately following his call,
Elisha "went after Elijah and ministered unto him" (1Ki_19:21), so
the relation between them was that of master and servant, confirmed by
the statement that he "poured water on the hands of Elijah" (2Ki_3:11).
But there was more than an official union between these two men; the ties
of affection bound them together. There is reason to believe that Elisha
accompanied Elijah during the last ten years of his earthly life, and
during the closing scenes we are shown how closely they were knit
together and how strong was the love of the younger man to his master.
During their lengthy journey from Gilgal to the Jordan, Elijah said to
his companion again and again, "Tarry ye here, I pray thee." But nothing
could deter Elisha from spending the final hours in the immediate
presence of the one who had won his heart or make him willing to break
their communion. So they "still went on, and talked" (2Ki_2:11).
Observe how the Spirit has emphasized this. First "they went down to
Bethel" (2Ki_2:2), but later "they two went on" (2Ki_2:6); "they
two stood by Jordan" (2Ki_2:7); "they two went on dry ground" (2
Kings 2:8). They refused to be separated. But when it was necessary,
Elisha cried, "My father, my father" (a term of endearment), and in token
of his deep grief "took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two
pieces."
God's Command to Elijah
As the invariable rule of Scripture, it is the first mention which
supplies the key to all that follows: "Elisha, the son of Shaphat, of
Abel-melolah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room" (1Ki_19:16).
Those words signify something more than that he was to be his
successor. Elisha was to take Elijah's place and act as his accredited
representative. This is confirmed by the fact that when he found Elisha,
Elijah "cast his mantle upon him" (1Ki_19:19) which signified the
closest possible identification. It is very remarkable to find that when
Joash the king of Israel visited the dying Elisha he uttered the selfsame
words over him as the prophet had used when Elijah was departing from
this world. Elisha cried, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel
and the horsemen thereof"-the real defense of Israel (2Ki_2:12), and
Joash said, "O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the
horsemen thereof" (2Ki_13:14). That not only marked the
identification of Elisha with Elijah, but the identification was actually
acknowledged by the king himself.
Another detail which serves to manifest the relation between the two
prophets is found in the striking reply made by Elisha to the question of
his master: "Ask what I shall do for thee before I be taken from thee,"
namely, "I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me" (2
Kings 2:9). That his request was granted appears clear from the sequel.
"If thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee," and
2Ki_2:12 assures us "and Elisha saw." Moreover, when the young
prophets saw him smite the waters of the Jordan with his master's mantle
so that they "parted hither and thither," they exclaimed, "The spirit of
Elijah doth rest on Elisha" (2Ki_2:15). The "double portion" was that
which pertained to the firstborn or oldest son and heir: "But he shall
acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a
double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his
strength: the right of the firstborn is his" (Deu_21:17; and cf. 1
Chronicles 5:1).
Elisha, then, was far more than the historical successor of Elijah. He
was appointed and anointed to be his representative-we might almost say,
his "ambassador." He was the man who had been called by God to take
Elijah's place before Israel. Though Elijah had left this scene and gone
on high, yet he would be so in spirit. Elisha was to be in "his room" (1
Kings 19:16), for the starting point of his mission was the ascension of
his master. Now what, we may ask, is the spiritual significance of this?
What is the important instruction to be found in it for us today? Surely
the answer is not far to seek. The relation between Elijah and Elisha was
that of master and servant. Since the anointing of Elisha into the
prophetic office is the only case of its kind expressly recorded in
Scripture, are we not required to look upon it as a representative or
pattern one? Since Elijah was a figure of Christ, is it not evident that
Elisha is a type of those servants specially called to represent Him here
upon earth?
The conclusion drawn above is manifestly confirmed by all the preliminary
details recorded of Elisha before he entered upon his life's work. Those
details may all be summed up under the following heads: his call, the
testings to which he was submitted and from which he successfully
emerged, the oath he was required to follow, and the special endowment
which he received equipping him for his service. The closer these details
are examined and the more they are prayerfully pondered, the more
evidently will it appear to anointed eyes that the experiences through
which Elisha passed are those which, substantially, each genuine servant
of Christ is required to encounter. Let us consider them in the order
named. First, the call of which he was the recipient. This was his
induction into the sacred ministry. It was a clear and definite call by
God, the absence of which makes it the height of presumption for anyone
to invade the holy office.
Elijah Summons to Elisha
The summons which Elisha received to quit his temporal avocation and to
henceforth devote the whole of his time and energies to God and His
people is noted in, "So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of
Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he
was with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him and cast his mantle upon
him" (1Ki_19:19). Observe how that here, as everywhere, God took the
initiative. Elisha was not seeking Him, but the Lord through Elijah
sought him out. Elisha was not found in his study but in the field, not
with a book in his hand, but at the plow. As one of the Puritans said
when commenting thereon, "God seeth not as man seeth, neither does He
choose men because they are fit, but He fits them because He hath chosen
them." Sovereignty is stamped plainly upon the divine choice, as appears
also in the calling of the sons of Zebedee while "mending their nets"
(Mat_4:21), of Levi while he was "sitting at the receipt of custom"
(Mat_9:9), and Saul of Tarsus when persecuting the early Christians.
Though Elisha does not appear to have been seeking or expecting a call
from the Lord to engage in His service, yet it is to be noted that he was
actively engaged when the call came to him, as was each of the others
alluded to above. The ministry of Christ is no place for idlers and
drones, who wish to spend much of their time driving around in fancy cars
or being entertained in the homes of their members and friends. No, it is
a vocation which calls for constant self-sacrifice, and which demands
tireless devotion to the performance of duty. Those then are most likely
to be sincere and energetic in the ministry who are industrious and
businesslike in their temporal avocation. Alas, how many who wish to
shirk their natural responsibilities and shelve hard work have entered
the ministry to enjoy a life of comparative ease.
Elisha means "God is Savior" and his father's name Shaphat signifies;
"judge." Abel-meholah is literally "meadow of the dance" and was a place
in the inheritance of Issachar, at the north of the Jordan valley.
Elisha's father was evidently a man of some means for he had "twelve yoke
of oxen" engaged in plowing, yet he did not allow his son to grow up in
idleness as is so often the case with the wealthy. It was while Elisha
was usefully engaged, in the performance of duty, undertaking the
strenuous work of plowing, that he was made the recipient of a divine
call into special service. This was indicated by the approach of the
prophet Elijah and his casting his mantle-the insignia of his office-upon
him. It was a clear intimation of his own investiture of the prophetic
office. This call was accompanied by divine power, the Holy Spirit moving
Elisha to accept the same, as may be seen from the promptness and
decidedness of his response.
Before we look at his response, let us consider the very real and stern
test to which Elisha was subjected. The issue was clearly drawn. To enter
upon the prophetic office, to identify himself with Elijah, meant a
drastic change in his manner of life. It meant the giving up of a
lucrative worldly position, the leaving of the farm, for the servant and
soldier of Jesus Christ must not "entangle himself with the affairs of
this life" (2Ti_2:4). (Paul's laboring at "tent-making" was quite the
exception to the rule and a sad reflection upon the parsimoniousness of
those to whom he ministered.) It meant the breaking away from home and
natural ties. Said the Lord Jesus, "He that loveth father or mother more
than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than
me is not worthy of me" (Mat_10:37). If such immoderate affection was
an effectual bar to Christian discipleship (Luk_14:26), how much more so
from the Christian ministry. The test often comes at this very point. It
did so with the present writer, who was called to labor in a part of the
Lord's vineyard thousands of miles from his native land, so that he did
not see his parents for thirteen years.
Elisha's Response to the Call
There was first, then, the testing of Elisha's affections, but he shrank
not from the sacrifice he was now called upon to make. "And he left the
oxen and ran after Elijah." Note the alacrity, the absence of any
reluctance. And he said, "Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my
mother and I will follow thee." Observe his humble spirit. He had already
taken the servant's place, and would not even perform a filial duty
without first receiving permission from his master. Let any who may be
exercised in mind as to whether they have received a call to the ministry
search and examine themselves at this point, to see if such a spirit has
been wrought in them. The nature of Elisha's request shows clearly that
he was not a man devoid of natural feelings, but an affectionate son,
warmly attached to his parents. Far from being an excuse for delaying his
obedience to the call, it was a proof of his promptness in accepting it
and of his readiness to make a deliberate break from all natural ties.
"And he [Elijah] said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to
thee?" (1Ki_19:20). It was as though the prophet said, "Do not act
impulsively, but sit down and count the cost before you definitely commit
yourself." Elijah did not seek to influence or persuade him. "It is not
to me but to God you are accountable-it is His call which you are to
weigh." He knew quite well that if the Holy Spirit were operating, He
would complete the work and Elisha would return to him.
Oh that the rank and file of God's people would heed this lesson. How
many a young man, never called of God, has been pressed into the ministry
by well-meaning friends who had more zeal than knowledge. None may
rightly count upon the divine blessing in the service of Christ unless he
has been expressly set apart thereto by the Holy Spirit (Act_13:2). One
of the most fearful catastrophies which has come upon the churches (and
those terming their's "assemblies") during the past century has been the
repetition of what God complained of old: "I have not sent these
prophets, yet they ran" (Jer_23:21). To intrude into the sacred office
calls down heaven's curse (2Sa_6:6-7).
But Elisha's acceptance of this call from God not only meant the giving
up of a comfortable worldly position and the breaking away from home and
natural ties; it also involved his following or casting his lot with one
who was very far from being a popular hero. Elijah had powerful enemies
who more than once had made determined attempts on his life. Those were
dangerous times, when persecution was not only a possibility but a
probability. It was well then for Elisha to sit down and count the cost;
by consorting with Elijah, he would be exposed to the malice of Jezebel
and all her priests. The same is true in principle of the Christian
minister. Christ is despised and rejected of men, and to be faithfully
engaged in His service is to court the hostility not only of the secular
but of the religious world as well. It was on religious grounds that
Jezebel persecuted Elijah, and it is by the false prophets of Christendom
and their devotees that the genuine ministers of God will be most hated
and hounded. Nothing but love for Christ and His people will enable
Elisha to triumph over his enemies.
"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." This farewell feast was a token of joy at his
new calling, an expression of gratitude to God for His distinguishing
favor, and the burning of the oxen's tackle a sign that he was bidding a
final adieu to his old employment. Those oxen and tools of industry,
wherein his former labors had been bestowed, were now gladly devoted to
the celebration of the high honor of being called to engage in the
service of God Himself. Those who rightly esteem the sacred ministry will
freely renounce every other interest and pleasure, though called upon to
labor amid poverty and persecution; yea, they who enter into the work of
our heavenly Master without holy cheerfulness are not at all likely to
prosper therein. Levi the publican made Christ "a great feast in his own
house" to celebrate his call to the ministry, inviting a great company
thereto (Luk_5:27-29).
"Then he arose and went after Elijah." See here the power of the Holy
Spirit! The evidence of God's effectual call is a heart made willing to
respond. Divine grace is able to subdue every lust, conquer every
prejudice, surmount every difficulty. Elisha left his worldly employment,
the riches to which he was heir, his parents and friends, and threw in
his lot with one who was an outcast. Thus it was with Moses, who "refused
to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer
affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for
a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward"
(Heb_11:24-26). Love for Christ and His saints, faith in His ultimate
"Well done," were the motive-springs of his actions. And such must prompt
one entering the ministry today.
"Then he arose and went after Elijah and ministered unto him" (1 Kings
19:21). That was the final element in this initial test. Was he prepared
to take a subordinate and lowly place, to become a servant, subjecting
himself to the will of another? That is what a servant is: one who places
himself at the disposal of another, ready to take orders from him,
desirous of promoting his interests. He who would be given important
commissions must prove himself. Thus did God approve of Stephen's service
to the poor (Act_7:1, 2). Because Philip disdained not to serve tables
(Act_6:2, 5) he was advanced to the rank of missionary to the Gentiles
(Act_8:5, 26). On the other hand, Mark was discontented to be merely a
servant of an apostle (Act_13:5, 13) and so lost his opportunity of
being trained for personal participation in the most momentous missionary
journey ever undertaken. Elisha became the servant of God's servant, and
we shall see how he was rewarded.