Elijah was completely exhausted physically, emotionally and mentally. No matter who we are, no matter what our gifting or how spiritual we are or even how closely we live a God-honouring life, we are still human beings. We have limits. There is only so much we can do before our ‘get up and go’ in the morning deserts us! Rest and time out is needed to recover our strength and gain the necessary resources to face the world again.
Elijah was one of the greatest people of God in the Old Testament era, with whom God was well pleased. His unplanned ‘sabbatical leave’ was of great benefit to him. In this context, in I Kings 19:15-21, I get the impression that Elijah would have accepted a deal from God to take early retirement from His service. However, God still had work for him to do. We too can feel at times overwhelmed and ready to walk away from our workplace or some ministry in Christian service, yet like Elijah listening to the quiet whisper (I Kings 19:12) we sense the call of God to continue. What did God have in mind for Elijah?
Go back the way you came (I Kings 19:15-18)15 The Lord said to him, ‘Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.’
God called Elijah to return to his ministry. His work like ours was not completed. He was asked to anoint Hazael as the new king of the neighbouring country Syria, who would wage war on sinful Israel in later years; to anoint Jehu as King over Israel, who would execute God’s judgement on the wicked family of Ahab and finally to anoint Elisha as his successor.
After the crisis Israel was going through was over life would be very different in the country. The majority of Elijah’s work in the last few years of his vocation would be back to the rural village ministries in which he had spent the majority of his time, prior to his very high profile recent past. Yet he was also called to appoint and train others of the younger generation to step up and take on new responsibilities.
God has a work for you to do, or even to continue doing. Life is very different at the present time, but even once the lock down is lifted there will be some time of adaptation to a new form of ‘normal living’. We need to be open to stepping back into Christian service in our worship, work and witness for the Lord. But to do so with a fresh sense of expectancy of God working in us and through us as we go forward in faith for Him.
Appointing his successor (I Kings 19:19-21) 19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 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?’ 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the ploughing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
Elisha was the son of a prosperous farmer. He would have been used to the help of servants in carrying out all his work. Now for a few years he will become a servant and eventual successor to Elijah. To encourage Elijah, God mentions that there are in Israel around 7,000 devout Jews who had stood firm for the faith in verse eighteen. God calls each one of us to be faithful in our service for Him. He reminds us that He is sovereign over all circumstances and evil men will not ultimately triumph.
Also in each generation God will raise up people to stand for Him. At this time in history it is you and me! We can be fearful about the world our children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren will grow up in. However, don’t be afraid because God is in the throne and He will go before them, and us, as they and we trust Him each step of the way, Amen.
Our song for reflection today is: ‘O Thou who camest from above’
Brian Talbot