What is the meaning of this story?
As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water.
“Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!”
2 Kings 6:5
During the days of Elijah and Elisha, the Hebrew prophets lived in different towns in Israel like Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho (2 Kings 2). A few chapters later, a strange and miraculous occurrence is told over only seven verses. So let’s look at another strange story from Elisha’s life.
In this story for today, Elisha met up with a company of prophets who wanted to build a place for all the prophets to live together in the Jordan Valley. But first, they needed to construct a large structure. So these men began to cut down trees. At some point, an axhead came off its handle and fell into the water. An iron tool would have been expensive at this point in history even though this story occurs during the Iron Age.
To make matters worse, this particular prophet had borrowed the axhead. Don’t you hate it when you borrow a tool from a neighbor only to break it? Then you have to purchase a new one for them – and you still lack owning one of your own! The additional problem was that this prophet likely didn’t have the money to purchase another one. He then would have been a bondservant to the axhead’s owner until it was paid off.
But never fear – Elisha is here! God used him to bring the axhead to the surface by throwing a stick in the area where it sunk. Like iron is drawn to a magnet, the axhead came to the surface and the prophet retrieved the precious possession.
What can we learn from this story? Is it so hard to believe that it actually happened? The same God who did this axhead miracle is the same one who also used a stick, Moses’ staff, and turned it into a snake (Exodus 4:1-15). His Son also “floated” on water and allowed Peter to do the same (Matthew 14:22-33).
God allowed this faithful company of prophets to witness and participate in a miracle. He cared for them, and He cares for us. If we seek to carry out His will, we don’t need to be worried about consequences. May He also do wonderful things in and through us as we diligently seek Him and serve Him.
As we trust, lean on, and submit to Him, may He use for His glory:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6