The Floating Ax Head
March 12, 2021
Commentary
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
Does truth ever make me uncomfortable? Do I ever prefer lies when they will make me feel more secure? It is better to face reality than to live a lie. I must never settle for something that makes me feel comfortable but is not true.
Isaiah 30:8– 17 (NET)
8 Now go, write it down on a tablet in their presence, inscribe it on a scroll, so that it might be preserved for a future time as an enduring witness.
9 For these are rebellious people— they are lying children, children unwilling to obey the Lord’s law.
10 They say to the visionaries, “See no more visions!” and to the seers, “Don’t relate messages to us about what is right! Tell us nice things; relate deceptive messages.
11 Turn aside from the way; stray off the path. Remove from our presence the Holy One of Israel.”
12 For this reason this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “You have rejected this message; you trust instead in your ability to oppress and trick, and rely on that kind of behavior.
13 So this sin will become your downfall. You will be like a high wall that bulges and cracks and is ready to collapse; it crumbles suddenly, in a flash.
14 It shatters in pieces like a clay jar, so shattered to bits that none of it can be salvaged. Among its fragments one cannot find a shard large enough to scoop a hot coal from a fire or to skim off water from a cistern.”
15 For this is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: “If you repented and patiently waited for me, you would be delivered; if you calmly trusted in me, you would find strength, but you are unwilling.
16 You say, ‘No, we will flee on horses,’ so you will indeed flee. You say, ‘We will ride on fast horses,’ so your pursuers will be fast.
17 One thousand will scurry at the battle cry of one enemy soldier; at the battle cry of five enemy soldiers you will all run away, until the remaining few are as isolated as a flagpole on a mountaintop or a signal flag on a hill.”
Illustration: Johnny’s First Day at School
Johnny’s first day of school the class was to put their right hands over their hearts and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. The teacher watched the children as they started, “I pledge allegiance to the flag…” She stopped when she noticed Johnny’s right hand over the left side of his rear end. “Johnny, I will not continue until you put your hand over your heart."Johnny replied, “Ma’am, It is over my heart.” After several attempts to get Johnny to put his hand over his heart, the teacher asked, “Why do you think that is your heart?” “Because whenever my Granny visits, she picks me up, pats me here, and says, ’Bless your little heart,’ and my Granny doesn’t lie!” (Source Unknown).