Lessons from a Floating Axe

“One day the group of prophets that Elisha was in charge of complained to him, “The place where we live is too small! Give us permission to go to the Jordan and cut down some trees, so that we can build a place to live.” “All right,” Elisha answered. One of them urged him to go with them; he agreed, and they set out together. When they arrived at the Jordan, they began to work. As one of them was cutting down a tree, suddenly his iron ax head fell in the water. “What shall I do, sir?” he exclaimed to Elisha. “It was a borrowed ax!” “Where did it fall?” Elisha asked. The man showed him the place, and Elisha cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the ax head float. “Take it out,” he ordered, and the man reached down and picked it up.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭

Some days, my mind can be quite hyperactive. It wants to go several different directions as I sit down to write. Usually I try to focus on on one message, but today I went ahead and let my mind run; what lessons can I learn from a floating axe head?

God cares about small things. The axe is a small thing. Although it might have mattered to the owner if it was not returned; it really was a small matter. The prophet could have eventually replaced the axe with another one. He could have explained it broke, and he had other witnesses to what occurred. Yet, the Lord orchestrated Elisha being there to work a miracle. God cares about the small detailed in our life too. I believe we will one day learn of miracles that went unnoticed because of small details. Running late because you can’t find where you laid your keys down and avoiding a wreck could be an example.

Sometimes we borrow problems. The ax was borrowed, if the head flew off while it was being used, maybe it was already broken and just kinda fixed to make do, not realizing it would be borrowed or not remembering that it was broken. If the young prophet had not borrowed it, there would have been no trouble. How often do we borrow trouble from others? Allowing ourselves to get stressed out while driving because of the actions of another, that is borrowing trouble.

Problems arise in discontentment. The other prophets had complained because the place they lived was too small. If they had been content with what they had, the prophet would not have borrowed the axe to cut down trees. They had a roof over their heads, they just wanted something bigger. Problems often arise when we are discontent with what we already have. Maybe you decide you want a bigger or newer car and then you have a payment that is larger which stretches your budget, that’s an example of how discontentment clean cause problems to arise.

Simple things bring miracles. The axe head was likely iron. The miracle of the iron floating to the surface was brought about by a stick Elisha cut off. It was a simple solution. Why didn’t the prophet use his own faith to work the miracle? God often uses simple things to bring miracles about and make a statement. I am reminded of when my daughter was probably four. We were on a camping trip and my best friend had a terrible toothache. I am talking about running to the store for medicine, my daughter prays for her and healing occurs.

The faith of the lead prophet. Elisha was in charge of this group of prophets. He could have said “no” to the request to even be there. Who wants to be around complaining prophets? But he said “yes” and was there when they needed him. Could the other prophets have made the axe head float? Maybe they lacked the faith because it doesn’t even mention them trying. The request was only made of Elisha. He did get the double anointing from Elijah.

Multiple lessons of insight and revelations. God uses different lessons with Scriptures because the Word of God is living and active, even though the Word doesn’t change. We can gain different insight and revelation based on where we are at in life at any given moment. What is my frame of mind, am I going through a trial, facing a loss, living in favor? We can gain different insight based on the perspective we take. Do I see it from the writer of the story, God, myself as an observer, one of the characters in the story – Elisha, of of the other prophets, the owner of the axe or even the axe itself? We can also het a different perspective based on the circumstances around us. Is there an iron shortage, does the person the axe was borrowed from need it for his livelihood or is he a grumpy relative that will never let it dog? Because the Word is active it is important to be in God’s Word daily and for ourselves, if I am listening to another’s perspective it can be easier to just take on their take from the passage. Usually the more we are in the Word, the more our perspective changes and deeps over time.

Prayer – Lord, thank You that even in the midst over my overactive mind You speak! You show me different ways to look at the same passage and bring out revelations that apply to my own life. Lord, let me not forget that You do care about the small details in my life and that I need to bring them to You and ask for Your help. Help me not to take on problems that are not mine, I don’t need the additional stress. Help me to be content but not complacent in where You have me each season of my life. Help me see the sticks and not try to over complicate Your instructions to me, simple things often make great changes. Lord, surround me with people of great faith that I can call on when I need additional support. Keep speaking to me, take me deeper in my understanding, grow me into the woman You created me to be. In Jesus name, amen!