(21) And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
REFLECTIONS
PAUSE, Reader! over this chapter, and take another view, not less profitable to our souls, though less to the prophet's honour, than what we regarded before in the conduct of Elijah. In the former chapter we beheld him, indeed, strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. But here we see him, and human nature in him, shrinking at the bare apprehension of fear, and running away from the post of duty, as if Elijah's God could no more save. But Reader! let me charge it upon my own heart, while I earnestly and affectionately recommend it to yours, let neither of us lose sight of the sweet and blessed lesson the Holy Ghost most graciously holds forth to our view, in the contemplation of the short-comings of his faithful servants. When we see a prophet thus shrinking with fear at the threat of Jezebel; or an apostle, like Peter, at the charge of a servant maid; for what doth the example serve in either case, in such eminent followers of the Lord, but to teach us how far short the highest characters are from perfection; and that they, as well as we, stand in need of the same justifying righteousness of the Lord Jesus, whose holy life is the only righteousness which comes up to the standard of the divine law. Yes! dearest, blessed Jesus! most fully we are hereby taught, and our souls rejoice in the contemplation, that none but thou canst justify thy people. In thy name, O Lord, would my soul rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness make my boast.
Let us, Reader, also gather another sweet lesson from this chapter; and in the precious assurance the Lord gives his prophet, that while he thought himself the only one left of the Lord's servants, there were seven thousand; let us take comfort that even now, in the present dark and degenerate day, there is still a remnant according to the election of grace. Yes! Reader! though it be but a remnant, and a small remnant, yet Jesus hath said; Fear not little flock, it is your heavenly Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Jesus will preserve it. For it is the Father's gift; it is Jesus's own purchase; and the conquest of his Spirit's grace on the heart; and therefore it must be preserved, And however small, or inconsiderable in the eyes of men, yet when the whole come to be brought together in glory, it will form a multitude which no man can number. In my Father's house, (saith Jesus) there are many mansions. Lord! grant, if it be thy blessed will, both to Writer and Reader, to be found among that multitude.
Lastly. Reader! let both of us from this chapter be very diligent while reading the call of Elisha, to see that we make our calling and election sure. Oh! for grace to discover the preventing, unexpected, unmerited and sovereign call of God! Dearest Jesus! do thou pass by, and cast thy mantle upon us: thou Lord God of the prophets! do thou give Us the yielding, willing heart, to follow thee at thy call. And do thou grant that we may leave the oxen, the cares of the world, father and mother, and all creature enjoyments, and like Elisha, run after thee whither soever thou goest; and like Ruth, to Naomi, may resolve to live with thee, and to die with thee, convinced that to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Oh! for faith, precious faith to have Jesus for our portion; for in him we have all things.