Our Scripture lessons are all about focus. Elisha knew he would really have to focus in order to keep to the prophetic standards set by his predecessor, Elijah. So, he went back home, and here I am reading between the lines, and said good-bye to his parents. He also killed his oxen and burned his farming equipment to cook them and gave the meat to the people.
Elisha got rid of all ties holding him to family and farm and hometown. He was thereby free to follow Elijah and to do whatever Yahweh required of him … without distraction.
Elijah was unhappy about this of course. He wanted Elisha to just walk away right on the spot, forgetting about any responsibilities to parents or farm. Read more…