We see a sweet, yet bitter contrast in the story of Elijah and Elisha. Elijah stood head and shoulders above his follow Israelites. He was revered as the most spiritual one in the land. He was the one to whom everyone looked to hear a word from the Lord during dark times. A shadow was on the land, but Elijah was a bright spot.
Very few would have guessed that Elijah himself would fade into the shadow. Much like Jonah, God asked Elijah to do something for Him that the prophet was less than excited about. It’s easy to obey when we’re excited about the prospect of blessing. It’s difficulty to obey, however, when it deeply challenges our worldview and comfort.
Elijah ended up in a cold, dark cave due to his stubbornness (1 Kings 19:9). That stubbornness was at one time the very thing that set him apart as beacon of hope among his people. Now it’s lead to his ruin.
God asks Elijah, “What are you doing here?” In other words, “Elijah, how did you get to this place? You were my go-to guy and now you’re here hiding in a cave because you don’t like the way things turned out. What happened?” Some of us may be able to identify with Elijah.
God’s conversation with Elijah in the cave ends up with God sending him to chose another prophet.As the prophet finds his successor, Elisha, the details of the text make it evident that Elijah is less than enthusiastic, even still, about what God is asking him to do. Are you enthusiastic about God’s plans for your life?
Elisha’s reaction is where the contrast comes into play in our story. Elisha is ecstatic that he’s been chosen as the famous prophet’s successor! He immediately leaves the work he’s currently doing (plowing a field), and rushes to say goodbye to his parents. “Bye mom and dad! I’m off to serve the Lord! It was nice knowing you!” (the historical context of the story indicates that there was great danger for those called to be true prophets in Israel. Elisha knew that this could be his last goodbye).
Once again, there is a deep contrast in the characters at this moment in the tory. On the one hand we have Elijah, who is stubborn, not easy convinced, skeptic, and resentful for serving his King. It takes quite a bit to get him mobilized for Jesus even though he has a history of being spiritual man #1 in Israel. Elijah has changed.
On the other hand we have Elisha who is quick to respond, zealous, eager, and enthusiastic to be a part of God’s mission to the world. Are you ready to leave what you’re doing immediately to do God’s work, or are you like Elijah, who needs asked, “What are you doing? Why are you here hiding in the dark?” Are you ready to sacrifice it all? Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26, NIV).
Lastly, while there are several points of contrast between Elijah and Elisha, there is also a similarity that we cannot miss: their names. Their names are strikingly similar both in spelling and pronunciation. What’s the significance of this? The writer of the story is telling us that people will never get in the way of God’s mission to the world. He always has someone that he can use. In Elijah’s heyday, it was him. But what happens when the Elijah’s of the world are gone? There is always another. There’s always an Elisha.
God doesn’t need you for his work; there’s always another. He wants you for his work. He offers us the chance in a lifetime to participate him in his mission to the world. Don’t miss out.
