The Male Ruth: Elisha

"As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee" (2 Kings 2:2)

Remember when Elijah was lonely and heard the still small voice? Part of God's comfort, and instruction, is to anoint Elisha to be a prophet. The Lord didn't just comfort Elijah with the knowledge that he wasn't alone, but actually gave him a companion: "he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him" (1 Kings 19:21). And while I don't know if they were together 100% of the time, it is apparent that they were companions and that Elisha had great respect and desire to follow Elijah.

Then, it's almost time for Elijah to be taken into heaven, and apparently all the sons of the prophets know and keep telling Elisha, who, (to paraphrase)says, I know, be quiet. Elijah himself keeps traveling to different cities, at each place telling Elisha: "Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Beth-el" (2 Kings 2:2). Elijah says this a total of three times, also being sent to Jericho and Jordan. At all three places the sons of the prophets come to tell Elisha that Elijah is going to be leaving seen, taken by the Lord. And still, each time, Elisha answers: "As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee" (2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6). It's like the story of Ruth, but with a man.

At first, thinking about this male Ruth, I thought of how I should be more like Elisha and follow God. Sometimes God is very present in my life, and in those moments there is always the though in the back of my mind: soon He will not be as involved, won't be quite so close as He is right now, He has other things to do. And I think that's true, but what is also true is that I can follow Him to where He is going next, I don't have to leave Him just because He has other things to do. He doesn't always have to be by my side, but I can always be next to Him.

And then I thought, no, that's not it at all. I've got it backwards.

The Lord is Elisha, and He refuses to leave us. How often have I said to the Lord: I have to go do this or that, you don't have to come, I can do it on my own. And how often has He answered back: no, as I live, I won't leave you. Why? Because that's the atonement. We can't be alone, because in that garden Christ already went everywhere with us, never left us for a moment. No, He is not going to leave. That's the good news of the gospel, right? That's the promise, the covenant, that He will never forsake us, and we will never leave Him. That's what it's all about.