The retreat with God at Horeb was over. Elijah had work to do; it was now time to advance.
Elijah was sent to “anoint Hazael as king over Syria…Jehu…as king over Israel. And Elisha…as prophet in your place” (1 Ki 19:15-16). It isn’t as bleak as Elijah imagines. Says the Lord, “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal” (v 18). The prophet decides to start with his replacement, finding him “plowing with twelve yoke of oxen” (v 19) on his father’s farm. What an inopportune moment to leave! After three years of drought, they’re finally preparing the fields for planting. But Elijah throws his mantle over the young man’s shoulders, and Elisha knows exactly what it means. God wants his all. As evidence of his commitment, he butchers the oxen and spreads a goodbye feast. Then away he goes. These are troubled days in Israel. “Ben-Hadad the king of Syria…besieged Samaria” (20:1). I want it all, said Ben-Hadad to Ahab—your wealth, your women, your children. Weak-willed Ahab whimpered, “Just as you say, I and all that I have are yours” (v 4). In that case, retorted Syria’s king, my servants will execute a search warrant and take all they want. The city’s elders had more spine, telling Ahab, “Do not listen” (v 8). Ben-Hadad boasted he’d take everything away, to which Ahab replied, “Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off” (v 11). Just then, a prophet appeared with God’s message, “Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today” (v 13). The over-confident Syrians had been partying, and in their drunken state were no match for Israel, who routed them with serious casualties. Yes, the Lord wants our all, as does the enemy. The difference? The enemy wants to impoverish us; the Lord only wants to enrich us