Weird, relatable, weirdly relatable

James Cathcart June 29, 2025 2 1

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1 Kings 19: 19-21 (NIVUK)

19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”

“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

God tells Elijah to call Elisha as his successor. So Elijah finds Elisha hard at work in a field and throws his cloak over him. Then he turns around and walks away. Job done.

It’s… a bit unconventional.

The gesture is hugely symbolic, it is a literal passing of the mantle, but it’s also kind of weird, there’s no ceremony, no special words; it’s just the middle of an ordinary day. Elisha is completely caught off guard. One minute he’s at the plough and then darkness and confusion as he fights his way out from under a cloak. Then he sees Elijah walking away and our reading says Elisha runs after him. Big E is clearly not hanging around. He has said all he needs to say (nada) and now he’s offski.

Elisha’s brain races along with his legs to catch up with what’s going on. Still reeling he ask Elijah if he can go back and say goodbye to his parents. Elijah’s response is blunt. Essentially he says, “Yeah whatever, it’s not my problem.’

Elijah, maybe not a people person.

Like a lot of the Bible it’s a bit weird. The specifics are strange — it’s hard to imagine someone bursting into your office and throwing a coat over your head to offer you a promotion — but something in the pattern is recognisable.

Our experience of God’s call in our lives is often something that comes to us out of the blue when we’re in the middle of doing something else. It often starts with a period of confusion and disorientation, “What’s going on?” Something hits us and suddenly we’re full of questions, “But not me surely? Am I really up to it?” we think, all while trying to dig ourselves out of the metaphorical cloak, regaining our bearings.

And then it’s daylight, and we see the figure moving away in the distance and the realisation hits us that if this is something we want we have to run after it.

Prayer:

When we’re listening to your call

and fighting our way out of the cloak,

help us to leave well

and start well

Amen.