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?”
How can you tell is someone is giving you an excuse instead of making a commitment? This happens more than you can imagine. In some cultures, people won’t say “no” to you directly. Instead they will talk around the answer. This can be frustrating for those of us who can speak, and prefer to speak directly.
In ancient Israel, is appears that direct speech was preferred. Although we do see individuals deferring to someone of more importance, most communication and requesting is done directly. We find ourselves in one of these moments today.
We are getting close to the change of prophetic command in Israel. Elijah has been the ‘go to’ prophet for some time now. But he is getting older and Elisha is the chosen successor. But his succession isn’t set in stone yet. He still has some character development to do.
As we read our text today we might remember the story from Jesus’ life about the people asking to follow Jesus, and then their excuses for not following. One was about the need to say goodbye to his parents. Sounds like this story here.
Elisha wants to follow Elijah, but he also wants to say goodbye to his parents. He is torn on the inside. We have all had moments when two decisions had to be made. Usually one involving moving forward and the other involving staying put.
These pivotal moments have the most potential for growth. The help us turn the corner, turn the page, move on to the next thing in our lives. But they also involve some goodbyes.
Notice that Elisha’s decision to follow Elijah is the same no matter what. He is going to follow Elijah. But the timing of the following is what is at stake.
Elijah’s response seems to mean something like, “If you follow, you follow. If not, you won’t! Elijah isn’t making any promises. He isn’t making a commitment to Elisha just yet. Elisha must say his goodbyes and then choose to follow.
That is so often the way with us as well. We have to say the goodbyes before we can say the hellos. You can’t hold onto something and also hold something else.
We have seen this with small children. They have something they want, and then they see something else they also want. But they try to hold both things, but without success. They learn to let go and pick up. This is the substitute shiny object trick to get something out of a child’s hands.
We are this way as well, sometimes. We think some old habit is worth holding onto, until we see something better come along. Then we must let go in order to pick up. We sell the old vehicle in order to purchase the newer one. We have a garage sale so that we can buy new things to fill our houses.
We read that Elisha did leave his old life as a farmer, killing his yoke of oxen and then following Elijah. He was willing to give up his successful business, twelve yoke of oxen. Think midwestern farmer with his huge tractor or combine harvester. Twelve yoke of oxen could do some serious plowing and harvesting.
Elisha was probably a wealthy man because of those oxen. And yet he gave it up to follow the call of God for his life. He was willing to leave it all behind in order to follow. We need more people like this today, those willing to leave it behind and follow.
The Arnold Journey 