The Floating Ax Head

II Kings 6:1–7
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In these chapters we have several miracles and ministries of Elisha, some done privately for God’s people, some done publicly for the nation. At one of the colleges for the prophets (probably in Jericho) their accommodations had become overcrowded and Elisha’s followers (who may have been students at the college) volunteered to help build new dormitories (vv. 1-2). However they wanted Elisha (their college president) to be involved with them. (v.3). Elisha not only gave his permission for this project but he also agreed to accompany the workmen.

In the process of cutting down trees, one of the men using a borrowed axe, had the misfortune of having the axe head fall into the river (vv. 4-5). The worker appealed to Elisha (the college president) for help. After asking where it had fallen, Elisha symbolically cast a stick into the water and God miraculously made the iron float on the water so that it could be retrieved (vv. 6-7). Certainly this miracle encouraged this group of faithful followers of the Lord that their God really is alive and that He would supernaturally provide for their needs.

All that we have is borrowed or loaned to us by the Lord to get his work done (John 3:27). We can lose the cutting edge, even while serving the Lord. But we need to recognize it when it happens and stop trying to chop without an axe head. Then we need to go back where we lost it and ask the Lord for help in recovering it. He alone can do the impossible if we will just trust Him.

Application

Elisha’s personal contact with the students at The School for the Prophets showed that he never forgot the ordinary people even though he had the ear of kings. I must never let the importance of influential people rob me of my concern for the human needs of ordinary people.