1 Kings xix. 2\. Then he arose, and loent after Elijah, and
ministered unto him.
IT is an unspeakable consolation to an aged minister to see others springing up around him, who shall carry on the same blessed work in which he has spent his hfe, and promote among the rising generation the Redeemer's interests, when he shall be removed to a better world. This happiness it pleased God to confer upon his servant Elijah. Elijah had thought himself alone in the kingdom of Israel ; but God informed him, that there were no less than seven thousand others who had in heart adhered to him, though they had not openly testified against the worship of Baal. He moreover directed him to anoint Elisha to be a prophet in his room ; and assured him, that the nation of Israel should continue to be benefited by the ministrations of his successor, when he should be removed from the world.
According to the direction given him, Elijah sought Elisha; and, finding him engaged in agricultural labours, called him from them to an employment altogether new and heavenly.
In this appointment of Elisha to the prophetic office there are two thinscs to be noticed
I. His peculiar call —
Elijah, in passing by, cast his mantle upon Elisha. In this action there was nothing that could at all convey the intent for which it was done ; nor did Elijah utter a word in explanation of it : on the contrary, when he saw Elisha instantly running after him, he said, '' Go back again ; for what have I done unto thee ?" But there was a secret power accompanying this act, which wrought effectually on the mind of Elisha, and constrained him to devote himself wholly to the Lord.
Now this will serve to shew the true nature oi' conversion in general.
God makes use of different means for the con- version of mankind —
[Many he awakens by some remarkable dispensation of his
providence ^ Many he enlightens by the joreacliing of
his word and many, without any external means, he
leads to the knowledge of himself by the teaching of his Holy Spirit ]
But whatever be the means, the work is his alone —
[There is not any more power in the creature, no, not even in miracles, to effect the conversion of men, than there was in the mantle cast upon Elisha. There were thousands who saw and heard all that took place at our Saviour's death, as well as the centurion, and yet remained unaffected with it. Multitudes also heard the preaching of our Lord and his Apostles without experiencing from it any saving influence. Tlie external call, by whomsoever given, has been resisted by myriads in every age^. That which alone has made the dif- ference between one man and another, has been the influence of the Holy Spirit accompanying the word : " Neither Paul nor Apollos could effect any thing; it has been God alone that gave the increase*^:" He has "revealed his arm''," and made men "wilhng in the day of his power '^:" He has "breathed upon the dry bones, and bid them live ^."]
A divine energy was felt by Elisha ; as appears clearly from,
IL His prompt obedience —
a Matt, xxvii. 54. »' Rom. x. 21. Matt, xxiii. 37.
•= 1 Cor. iii. .5—7. "^ Isai. liii. 1 .
«• Ps. ex. 3. <■ Ezek. xxxvii. 1 — 10.
349.]] elisha's call to the prophetic office. 421
Instantly he ran after Elijah in token of his desire to become his stated attendant —
What appears to have expressed reluctance, pro- ceeded in reality from no such feeling —
[Elisha desired to go home first and salute his parents, and then to wait upon Elijah. Had this arisen from a desire to defer his obedience to the heavenly call, it would have been wrong ; because the call of God supersedes every other con- sideration under heaven s. But it arose from a love to his parents, and a desire to approve himself to them as a duteous son. He was sensible that they must wonder at the sudden change that had taken place m his views and conduct ; and he was desirous to shew them at least that liis zeal for God had not diminished his regard for them. In this view there can scarcely be a more useful example found in all the sacred records. Young people, when first made to feel the impor- tance of a heavenly life, are apt to forget, that they ought by every possible means to win their parents. They should cul- tivate to the uttermost a meek, humble, conciliatory spirit ; and shew, that, if they be constrained to act in opposition to the wishes of their superiors, they are not actuated by conceit or self-will, but by a sense of paramount obligation to God. They should be as careful as possible to evince the excellency of their principles by the modesty of their demeanour, and by their increased endeavours to fulfil every relative and social duty. This would render religion amiable in the eyes of many, who, in the conduct of their children or dependents, find nothing but stumbling-blocks and occasions of disgust.