THE CALL OF ELISHA.
(1 Kings 19:15-16; 1 Kings 19:19-21).
The LORD’s practical response to His despondent servant Elijah was to call him back to duty, and to give him the responsibility for the anointing of:
1. A foreign tyrant (1 Kings 19:15; 2 Kings 8:11-13);
2. A new dynasty (1 Kings 19:16; 2 Kings 9:3); and
3. A young apprentice for Elijah to mentor (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 2:13).
This was delegation in operation (1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 8:13; 2 Kings 9:1-3).
So Elijah left the Cave of Doubt, and threw his cloak over Elisha, which hardly seems like an anointing. Elisha first made closure with his family and his profession, then he forsook all and followed Elijah (1 Kings 19:19-21). The cloak reappears in the narrative when Elijah dropped it before he was whisked away in a chariot of fire, and Elisha at last picked it up (2 Kings 2:8-13).
When we are called to 'forsake all' (cf. Luke 14:33) and follow Christ, perhaps we also need to cut our connections, or 'burn our bridges' (so to speak). But once we have put our hand to His plough, there is no looking back (Luke 9:62).
