1 Kings 19:21 “So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.”
God tells Elijah to appoint Elisha as the next prophet in place of him. As soon as he hears from God, Elijah departs from where he is to seek Elisha. At last when Elisha was found, the 1 Kings tells us that Elijah “threw his mantle on him.” The book does not mention that Elijah said anything. That is all he did. Put a mantle on Elisha. This action itself did not need any explanation in words, because this action was a symbolic act of calling one to ministry as a prophet.
Elisha understood that meaning. Elijah did not have to explain in words what this meant. Elisha had to make a choice. 1 Kings 19 gives a hint that Elisha had a pretty decent living, if not wealthy. When Elijah found Elisha, he was plowing in the field with 12 yoke of oxen. Doesn’t that tell us something?
Well, when Elisha was put on with a mantle, he knew he would have to give up what he had in order to serve as a prophet. And you can see his hesitation and dilemma in 1 Kings 19:20 where he asks Elijah, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.”
Friends, when God asks for you, we need to be willing to give up what we have in order to follow Him. Also, God does not want us to hesitate. He wants a firm decision, at this moment. Elijah said, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” He is asking Elisha to make a personal decision.
This was Elisha’s response: “So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.”