Did he not hear God clearly? Elijah had complained to God, making the statement that he was the only faithful one on the planet. I’m sure he is not the only one to ever feel that way. As he is walking by Elisha, the old prophet threw his coat on the young farmer. This gesture was understood by Elisha as “Come follow me.” His response seems to be somewhat less than Jesus asked of the people of first century Israel. He wanted to go say good-bye. Was this really God’s choice?
1 Kings 19:19-21 ESV — 19So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
The difference was that he really was saying good-bye and not making excuses. He killed and made a feast of two very expensive animals and in the process burned his bridges (farm tools). Then he followed and cared for the prophet and eventually would become the replacement for the prophet.
God is still calling people to service today. He does not ask us to physically burn our bridges, but spiritually we can do nothing less in our response to Him. How often do those things that we have never really let go of keep us from service to God? This week as you go about your daily routine and someone asks you about serving God, listen carefully. If you hear the response “I don’t have time,” or really any response that begins with “I don’t”, maybe it’s time to build our own fire.