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Elijah Part 7 - Let Go and Let God!
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Elijah Part 7 - Let Go and Let God!
1 Kings 19 v 9-21
After Elijah's exhaustion and despair, God doesn't let him stay in his cave of self-pity. He gives him a clear, threefold mission: anoint Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor.
It sort of sounds as if Elijah as just been, well sacked. And maybe he has been. But another way to reflect on this passage is that God takes us where we are. We are not forced to do things. Elijah was exhausted. God had met him, restored him and now, he recommissioned him. He has taken Elijah where he is and set him a new task and at the same time, allowed him to find an ending.
Elijah finds Elisha in the middle of ordinary work — ploughing a field. Without fanfare, Elijah throws his cloak over him, a symbolic act of passing on his prophetic mantle. Elisha asks only to say goodbye to his parents, then makes a radical break — he slaughters his oxen, burns his farming equipment, and feeds the people. There is no going back. He follows Elijah completely.
Elijah was a steward and like all good steward’s he held in trust, the precious commission that God had given him. At the right time, he didn’t hold on to that commission; he passed it on with humility.
Reflection:
Take some time to read the text (1 Kings 19 v 9-21) and think about what we can learn about:
- Renewed purpose: God meets Elijah’s despair with a new assignment – he takes him where he is and recommissions him. What does this say to us if we feel tired and that we may have disappointed God in our lives?
- Divine sovereignty: We are stewards. God's plan doesn't depend on just one person. When Jesus ascended, he said that he would send his spirit that we might do greater things than He. Think on this and ask yourself what that might mean in your life?
- The cost of discipleship — Elisha burns his bridges to follow his calling by sacrificing his oxen and destroying his plough. Then, having bid his family farewell, he followed Elijah. What does this say to us today?
- Succession — the prophetic mission will outlast any one prophet. Jesus said, "My yolk is easy and my burden is light." The great news is that God's purpose in His good world, does not depend on us. Even the most successful follower of Jesus is but a bit player in God's big picture.
You can see past sermons on the Leominster Baptist Church website at Leominster Baptist Church - YouTube and can contact us directly with your feedback or queries through the Contact Us link at the top of the episode description text.
Leominster Baptist Church can be found on Etnam Street in Leominster, Herefordshire. To find out more about us, visit our website leobc.co.uk. If you would like to speak to someone about anything that you have heard on our podcasts please give us a call and ask for a chat.
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By Leominster Baptist ChurchSend us your questions or feedback here
Elijah Part 7 - Let Go and Let God!
1 Kings 19 v 9-21
After Elijah's exhaustion and despair, God doesn't let him stay in his cave of self-pity. He gives him a clear, threefold mission: anoint Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor.
It sort of sounds as if Elijah as just been, well sacked. And maybe he has been. But another way to reflect on this passage is that God takes us where we are. We are not forced to do things. Elijah was exhausted. God had met him, restored him and now, he recommissioned him. He has taken Elijah where he is and set him a new task and at the same time, allowed him to find an ending.
Elijah finds Elisha in the middle of ordinary work — ploughing a field. Without fanfare, Elijah throws his cloak over him, a symbolic act of passing on his prophetic mantle. Elisha asks only to say goodbye to his parents, then makes a radical break — he slaughters his oxen, burns his farming equipment, and feeds the people. There is no going back. He follows Elijah completely.
Elijah was a steward and like all good steward’s he held in trust, the precious commission that God had given him. At the right time, he didn’t hold on to that commission; he passed it on with humility.
Reflection:
Take some time to read the text (1 Kings 19 v 9-21) and think about what we can learn about:
- Renewed purpose: God meets Elijah’s despair with a new assignment – he takes him where he is and recommissions him. What does this say to us if we feel tired and that we may have disappointed God in our lives?
- Divine sovereignty: We are stewards. God's plan doesn't depend on just one person. When Jesus ascended, he said that he would send his spirit that we might do greater things than He. Think on this and ask yourself what that might mean in your life?
- The cost of discipleship — Elisha burns his bridges to follow his calling by sacrificing his oxen and destroying his plough. Then, having bid his family farewell, he followed Elijah. What does this say to us today?
- Succession — the prophetic mission will outlast any one prophet. Jesus said, "My yolk is easy and my burden is light." The great news is that God's purpose in His good world, does not depend on us. Even the most successful follower of Jesus is but a bit player in God's big picture.
You can see past sermons on the Leominster Baptist Church website at Leominster Baptist Church - YouTube and can contact us directly with your feedback or queries through the Contact Us link at the top of the episode description text.
Leominster Baptist Church can be found on Etnam Street in Leominster, Herefordshire. To find out more about us, visit our website leobc.co.uk. If you would like to speak to someone about anything that you have heard on our podcasts please give us a call and ask for a chat.