Somebodies Out of Nobodies

Somebodies Out of Nobodies
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“So he departed and found Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen.” (1 Kings19:19)

God delights in turning a nobody into a somebody. People who are important in their own eyes are in for a let down when they want to be used by God. God uses people who do not think too highly of themselves (Romans12:3). When God does find a somebody, He sends them to the backside of the wilderness until they become a nobody. Moses in the Old Testament and Paul in the New Testament are examples of those who were used by God after a stay in the wilderness, away from the view of people.

In our beginning scripture, Elijah had become too important in his own eyes. He complained to God and believed that he was the only one serving Him. He went on to tell God that every other person had torn down God’s altars and were serving Baal. Elijah was certain that God would agree with him. He also thought if God was planning to replace him, he would be replaced by one of the existing sons of the prophets. They were important young men. They held degrees from the school of the prophets. After all, Elijah had a big mailing list, hundreds of tapes to be duplicated daily, and a rigorous schedule to meet. He had spent years perfecting this ministry. It would take someone very special to take over such an operation.

God had another idea. He told Elijah he would find his successor plowing a field behind twelve yoke of oxen. Elijah would be replaced by a farmer. A nobody would replace Elijah! This was a little hard on Elijah’s ego. He had forgotten a great lesson. We all begin as nobodies. Even Elijah was an unknown when God found him. The development of his ministry came by the help of the power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. How quickly Elijah forgot the story of his own life and ministry. God told Elijah not to promote those who looked to their own abilities, education,and degrees. Instead, Elijah was to look for someone, with or without a degree,who would trust completely in God. So, Elijah ended up throwing his mantle around Elisha.

God never changes. Why do we think God stopped with us? Does God need some super person to take up where we have left off? Has the standard changed since we came along? Heaven will not go under if we quit. God is not worried if we throw in the towel. He has someone who will take up right where we left off. Elisha’s first miracle was the same as Elijah’s last, the parting of the Jordan River. Next time you look in the mirror, just remember, God is in the business of taking a nobody and making a somebody out of them. You are certainly qualified!

Bob Yandian