1 Kings19:16b, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62
By throwing his mantle over Elisha, Elijah temporarily incapacitates Elisha’s movement and sight. He emerges from the brief darkness with a new identity and mission. Because Elijah’s mantle is thought to be invested with great power (1), Elijah has initiated Elisha into the prophetic life by enveloping him with this power. The word used to describe the relationship between Elijah and Elisha is the same word used to describe Joshua and Moses’ relationship; one of being servant and successor (2).
Elisha destroys his old way of life and means of survival, indicating trust in the Lord and Elijah. Because of Elijah, the drought in the region is over, but crops may not have yet recovered. It is possible that the people of the region are still threatened by famine. Elisha’s act of slaughtering his oxen may not simply be a symbolic way of rejecting his old life, but perhaps it is an act to care for and nourish his kinsfolk and neighbors.
The passage in Luke makes many references to the prophets; inviting us to draw parallels between the prophets and Jesus. James and John suggest calling down fire as did Elijah. Isaiah (50.7) says, “I have set my face like flint,” while Jesus “sets His face towards Jerusalem,” embracing his journey toward the cross. It is no accident that the Song of the Suffering Servant is referenced at the beginning of the journey narrative into the Passion; all prophets had been rejected by Jerusalem (3). Jesus is instructing people about the cost of discipleship with full knowledge of the cost of His own commitment to His Father’s will.
Through these consistent parallel statements, Luke is suggesting that, while Jesus is a new sort of prophet, we are a different kind of successor. Through these three proverbs, Jesus reminds us of the similarity between ourselves and Elisha by pointing out the difference in our call. Elijah allows Elisha said goodbye to his parents, however, Jesus urges us to abandon even honorable duties such as familial obligations. We are summoned to single-hearted devotion and commitment to Proclaiming the Kingdom.
When Elijah throws his mantle over Elisha, he’s not only implying Elisha’s new life as a successor, follower, servant, apprentice. He’s also preparing him to receive the power necessary to live this new life. Similarly Jesus doesn’t just suggest we follow Him; He both prepares us to receive and bestows upon us the power to do so.
References:
1- The Interpreter’s One Volume Bible Commentary
2- The New Oxford Annotated Bible
3- New Interpreter’s Bible; One Volume Commentary
Journal Questions:
- We, along with Elisha, incur some losses when we answer the call to follow the Lord. What losses have you experienced? How did you perceive them at the time and how do you feel about them in retrospect? Have these losses in any way benefitted others?
- Recall a time when you were in darkness and emerged with a new sense of purpose or identity.
- How would you describe your own discipleship? How have you been Jesus’ servant and successor? What “powers” (i.e. skills or opportunities) has the Lord given you so you can succeed at proclaiming His Kingdom?
© 2016 Marilyn MacArthur, all rights reserved
Writing to Pray 