"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 cost--decide 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.

"Så forlod han okserne og løb efter Elias og sagde: "Lad mig først kysse min fader og min moder, så vil jeg følge dig!" Han svarede: "Gå kun tilbage, thi hvad er det ikke, jeg har gjort ved dig!" Dette var ikke et afslag, men en trosprøve. Elisa skulle beregne omkostningerne og selv afgøre, om han ville tage imod kaldet eller forkaste det. Hvis hans hjerte hang ved hans hjem og de fordele, som han havde der, måtte han gerne blive der. Men Elisa forstod betydningen af dette kald. Han vidste, at det kom fra Gud, og tøvede ikke med at adlyde. Han ville ikke for nogen pris lade denne anledning til at blive Guds tjener gå fra sig. Det kunne heller ikke falde ham ind at give afkald på den store forret, det var at færdes sammen med Herrens tjener. "Så tog han og slagtede oksespandet, kogte okserne ved stavtøjet og gav folkene dem at spise; derpå brød han op og fulgte Elias og gik ham til hånde." 1Kong. 19,20-21. Han forlod uden tøven sit hjem, hvor han var elsket, for at gøre fælles sag med profeten i dennes omskiftelige tilværelse.