prophets and kings-第38章
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The prophetic call came to Elisha while； with his father's servants； he was plowing in the field。 He had taken up the work that lay nearest。 He possessed both the capabilities of a leader among men and the meekness of one who is ready to serve。 Of a quiet and gentle spirit； he was nevertheless energetic and steadfast。 Integrity； fidelity； and the love and fear of God were his； and in the humble round of daily toil he gained strength of purpose and nobleness of character； constantly increasing in grace and knowledge。 While co…operating with his father in the home…life duties； he was learning to co…operate with God。
By faithfulness in little things； Elisha was preparing for weightier trusts。 Day by day； through practical experience； he gained a fitness for a broader； higher work。 He learned to serve； and in learning this； he learned also how to instruct and lead。 The lesson is for all。 None can know what may be God's purpose in His discipline； but all may be certain that faithfulness in little things is the evidence of fitness for greater responsibilities。 Every act of life is a revelation of character； and he only who in small duties proves himself 〃a workman that needeth not to be ashamed〃 can be honored by God with higher service。 2 Timothy 2：15。
He who feels that it is of no consequence how he performs the smaller tasks proves himself unfit for a more honored position。 He may think himself fully competent to take up the larger duties； but God looks deeper than the surface。
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After test and trial； there is written against him the sentence； 〃Thou art weighed in the balances； and art found wanting。〃 His unfaithfulness reacts upon himself。 He fails of gaining the grace； the power； the force of character； which is received through unreserved surrender。
Because they are not connected with some directly religious work； many feel that their lives are useless； that they are doing nothing for the advancement of God's kingdom。 If they could do some great thing how gladly they would undertake it！ But because they can serve only in little things； they think themselves justified in doing nothing。 In this they err。 A man may be in the active service of God while engaged in the ordinary； everyday dutieswhile felling trees； clearing the ground； or following the plow。 The mother who trains her children for Christ is as truly working for God as is the minister in the pulpit。
Many long for special talent with which to do a wonderful work； while the duties lying close at hand； the performance of which would make the life fragrant； are lost sight of。 Let such ones take up the duties lying directly in their pathway。 Success depends not so much on talent as on energy and willingness。 It is not the possession of splendid talents that enables us to render acceptable service； but the conscientious performance of daily duties； the contented spirit； the unaffected； sincere interest in the welfare of others。 In the humblest lot true excellence may be found。 The commonest tasks； wrought with loving faithfulness； are beautiful in God's sight。
As Elijah； divinely directed in seeking a successor； passed the field in which Elisha was plowing； he cast upon the
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young man's shoulders the mantle of consecration。 During the famine the family of Shaphat had become familiar with the work and mission of Elijah； and now the Spirit of God impressed Elisha's heart as to the meaning of the prophet's act。 To him it was the signal that God had called him to be the successor of Elijah。
〃And he left the oxen； and ran after Elijah； and said； Let me； I pray thee； kiss my father and my mother； and then I will follow thee。〃 〃Go back again；〃 was Elijah's answer； 〃for what have I done to thee？〃 This was not a repulse； but a test of faith。 Elisha must count the costdecide for himself to accept or reject the call。 If his desires clung to his home and its advantages； he was at liberty to remain there。 But Elisha understood the meaning of the call。 He knew it was from God； and he did not hesitate to obey； Not for any worldly advantage would he forgo the opportunity of becoming God's messenger or sacrifice the privilege of association with His servant。 He 〃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。〃 1 Kings 19：20； 21。 Without hesitation he left a home where he was beloved； to attend the prophet in his uncertain life。
Had Elisha asked Elijah what was expected of him；what would be his work；he would have been answered： God knows； He will make it known to you。 If you wait upon the Lord； He will answer your every question。 You may come with me if you have evidence that God has called you。 Know for yourself that God stands back of me； and
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that it is His voice you hear。 If you can count everything but dross that you may win the favor of God； come。
Similar to the call that came to Elisha was the answer given by Christ to the young ruler who asked Him the question； 〃What good thing shall I do； that I may have eternal life？〃 〃If thou wilt be perfect；〃 Christ replied； 〃go and sell that thou hast； and give to the poor； and thou shalt have treasure in heaven： and come and follow Me。〃 Matthew 19：16； 21。
Elisha accepted the call to service； casting no backward glance at the pleasures and comforts he was leaving。 The young ruler； when he heard the Saviour's words； 〃went away sorrowful： for he had great possessions。〃 Verse 22。 He was not willing to make the sacrifice。 His love for his possessions was greater than his love for God。 By his refusal to renounce all for Christ； he proved himself unworthy of a place in the Master's service。
The call to place all on the altar of service comes to each one。 We are not all asked to serve as Elisha served； nor are we all bidden to sell everything we have； but God asks us to give His service the first place in our lives； to allow no day to pass without doing something to advance His work in the earth。 He does not expect from all the same kind of service。 One may be called to ministry in a foreign land； another may be asked to give of his means for the support of gospel work。 God accepts the offering of each。 It is the consecration of the life and all its interests； that is necessary。 Those who make this consecration will hear and obey the call of Heaven。
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To everyone who becomes a partaker of His grace； the Lord appoints a work for others。 Individually we are to stand in our lot； saying； 〃Here am I； send me。〃 Whether a man be a minister of the Word or a physician； whether he be merchant or farmer； professional man or mechanic； the responsibility rests upon him。 It is his work to reveal to others the gospel of their salvation。 Every enterprise is which he engages should be a means to this end。
It was no great work that was at first required of Elisha； commonplace duties still constituted his discipline。 He is spoken of as pouring water on the hands of Elijah； his master。 He was willing to do anything that the Lord directed； and at every step he learned lessons of humility and service。 As the prophet's personal attendant； he continued to prove faithful in little things； while with daily strengthening purpose he devoted himself to the mission appointed him by God。
Elisha's life after uniting with Elijah was not without temptations。 Trials he had in abundance； but in every emergency he relied on God。 He was tempted to think of the home that he had left； but to this temptation he gave no heed。 Having put his hand to the plow； he was resolved not to turn back； and through test and trial he proved true to his trust。
Ministry comprehends far more than preaching the word。 It means training young men as Elijah trained Elisha； taking them from their ordinary duties； and giving them responsibilities to bear in God's worksmall responsibilities at first； and larger ones as they gain strength and experience。 There are in the ministry men of faith and prayer； men who can
