call and response

Good morning friends,
When Elijah hears the sound of shear silence he wraps his face in a cloak. He does this as a sign of reverence because he recognizes God's presence in the silence in a way God wasn't in the wind, earthquake or fire that came before. It's also a very practical gesture; people believed that one couldn't see God and live and Elijah is protecting himself. God's commission to Elijah is to anoint two kings and a new prophet, which doesn't seem like an inherently spiritual job, especially since one is the king of Aram (Syria). At the same time, the prophetic role is political as well as spiritual; the point is making God's will clear in the world, and that includes the political world.

He is to anoint his successor, Elisha. We haven't heard of Elisha before this, so we can imagine that Elisha is surprised to have this prophet appear at his field and throw a cloak over him. Whether he is surprised or not he says goodbye to his family, sacrifices his oxen, and takes on his new role as Elijah's servant and apprentice. What does Elisha's acceptance of this new adventure say to you today?

God bless,
Sam

1 Kings 19:13-21
13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”

15Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

19So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. 20He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” 21He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.