Burn your oxen
During October, I had the privilege of serving for a ministry in which Pastor Samuel Rodriquez was preaching. It was so powerful and insightful. Pastor Sammy spoke about how many who have been “pushing the plow” in the Kingdom of God were about to shift over into their new season. I knew this word was for me and I am keenly aware that this word is for many, many people who have served God and survived many tests, trials, and attacks on their destiny for decades. In my opinion, these are the people who have endured the threshing floor and they are releasing fresh oil of the Holy Spirit with greater authority. My deepest respect and honor go out to all of you!
Sammy said that if you are one of those “plow pushers” that it is time to let go of the plow, look up, and receive your new mantle from heaven. It was a powerful time in that place where the tangible presence of God was shifting the plow pushers over into their new call and anointing for the future. This new call will also affect future generations. We have plowed where they will not have to and many of our children will carry the new mantles that we have fought for. It’s an exciting and unparalleled time in history!
If you are unfamiliar with the story of the plow, it can be found in 1 Kings, chapter 19. This story occurs after the prophet Elijah wins a huge victory again Jezebel and the prophets of Baal. The Lord tells Elijah to anoint two different guys as kings over Aram and Israel. God then tells him to anoint Elisha as his predecessor as a prophet. Pastor Sammy’s reference comes in verses 19-21:
1 Kings 19:19-21 The Message (MSG)
19 Elijah went straight out and found Elisha son of Shaphat in a field where there were twelve pairs of yoked oxen at work plowing; Elisha was in charge of the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak over him.
20 Elisha deserted the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please! Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye—then I’ll follow you.”
“Go ahead,” said Elijah, “but, mind you, don’t forget what I’ve just done to you.”
21 So Elisha left; he took his yoke of oxen and butchered them. He made a fire with the plow and tackle and then boiled the meat—a true farewell meal for the family. Then he left and followed Elijah, becoming his right-hand man.
It has been my experience that when God is shifting you into a new place He will only give you one or two pieces of your new direction at a time. It becomes a walk of faith and you can’t rely on much from your past seasons to carry you through the new place God is taking you.
About a month after that conference a dear friend sent me a word from a well-known prophetic ministry stating that it was time to tear your old mantle, break up the plow for firewood, and slay the oxen. If you sense that you are also in this season, go before the Lord and metaphorically burn your oxen (in your heart in prayer) on the altar. Offer it as sweet incense unto the Lord for all that He has done for you in the past and break all connection to the old season in whatever way God shows you to do that. It is important to let go and move on in order to walk in the fullness of the new thing that God has for you.
Another analogy would be having your hand on the doorknob of the new door that God is asking you to walk through and you still not wanting to let go of the door handle behind you. If you know this is you and you are in this transition, I am urging you to walk out of the old door and release the handle. You can’t go through the new door if you don’t let go of the last door!
Isaiah 43:19 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Let’s get back to the oxen. After I read the word that my friend sent me, I was on my face before God asking Him what the oxen really represents. God immediately spoke to my heart and said that it was everything that I had already done to serve Him. When God wants to do a new thing with you, you can’t rest on your accomplishments from the last season. They mean little going forward. We are to rest on His promises over our lives and not our accomplishments for the Kingdom of God. As I offered everything I have ever done in service to God back to Him that day on the altar of thanksgiving, I felt a fresh wind and new energy to go forward.
It is important to recognize one more detail of what Elisha did before joining Elijah as his right-hand man (see verse 21 above). Not only did he burn and sacrifice his only means of income in faith after He heard the instructions of the Lord, but he also honored his family from which he came. He honored them with a farewell meal. I can only imagine the conversation at the table that day. Some of his family was probably encouraging while others had lots of questions to ask Elisha as he prepared for his entire life to be changed. It would have been awesome to be a fly on the wall at that farewell dinner and be privy to that conversation.
If this post today is for you, remember to extend honor back toward the season and places in which you have just been released as you let go. It will bring glory to God.
For the Kingdom,
Donna