Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.
2 Kings 6:1-7 tells an odd little story. The sons of the prophets, who were apparently disciples of Elisha, needed a new place to live so they went to the Jordan River to cut down some trees to use in building a new house. While they were doing this, one of them lost the axe head from his axe. It just flew off the handle and landed in the river, sinking to the bottom.
The man was distraught because he had borrowed it. Unlike today, he couldn’t just run up to Lowe’s, and axe heads were expensive. Each was handmade by a blacksmith from iron dug up by hand by miners. This man was unable to purchase his own and had borrowed one. Since he had lost it, he was responsible for replacing it. It would have been a major hardship—preachers didn’t make much, even back then. Elisha asked him where exactly it had sunk, and then he "made the iron to swim." The axe head floated to the surface and the man waded out and scooped it up.
Why is this story included in the Bible? This man's personal salvation was not affected in one way or another by the loss or recovery of the axe head. The story doesn't really illustrate any great doctrine. The plan of salvation isn't furthered and it doesn't affect the history of the physical nation of Israel. With all of the stories we might wish were included in the Bible that aren't, why is this one here? Possibly because it is the perfect illustration of Mt. 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father; but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows."
God cares for us. Even in the small everyday happenings in this world that don't really have anything to do with our eternal fate, God cares for us. If he even knows how many hairs I have on my head (daily an easier count for him), then surely he knows that I need to pay my bills, that I need to eat occasionally. Mt. 6:25-34 tells us not to worry because God will look out for us. He feeds the birds and clothes the grass and so surely he will feed and clothe us.
God cared about this man who lost an axe head. God found the axe head for him. Why? Because he cares for his people. Sometimes He will allow us to go through trials and tests because those build up our patience and faith and will make us better servants for Him in the long run, but even then He never gives us a test stronger than we can bear. God cares about the little things in our lives, even things as insignificant as misplaced tools. He really is on our side and watches out for us. If that doesn't make you feel better as you face your day, then nothing can.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
Lucas Ward
2 Kings 6:1-7 tells an odd little story. The sons of the prophets, who were apparently disciples of Elisha, needed a new place to live so they went to the Jordan River to cut down some trees to use in building a new house. While they were doing this, one of them lost the axe head from his axe. It just flew off the handle and landed in the river, sinking to the bottom.
The man was distraught because he had borrowed it. Unlike today, he couldn’t just run up to Lowe’s, and axe heads were expensive. Each was handmade by a blacksmith from iron dug up by hand by miners. This man was unable to purchase his own and had borrowed one. Since he had lost it, he was responsible for replacing it. It would have been a major hardship—preachers didn’t make much, even back then. Elisha asked him where exactly it had sunk, and then he "made the iron to swim." The axe head floated to the surface and the man waded out and scooped it up.
Why is this story included in the Bible? This man's personal salvation was not affected in one way or another by the loss or recovery of the axe head. The story doesn't really illustrate any great doctrine. The plan of salvation isn't furthered and it doesn't affect the history of the physical nation of Israel. With all of the stories we might wish were included in the Bible that aren't, why is this one here? Possibly because it is the perfect illustration of Mt. 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father; but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows."
God cares for us. Even in the small everyday happenings in this world that don't really have anything to do with our eternal fate, God cares for us. If he even knows how many hairs I have on my head (daily an easier count for him), then surely he knows that I need to pay my bills, that I need to eat occasionally. Mt. 6:25-34 tells us not to worry because God will look out for us. He feeds the birds and clothes the grass and so surely he will feed and clothe us.
God cared about this man who lost an axe head. God found the axe head for him. Why? Because he cares for his people. Sometimes He will allow us to go through trials and tests because those build up our patience and faith and will make us better servants for Him in the long run, but even then He never gives us a test stronger than we can bear. God cares about the little things in our lives, even things as insignificant as misplaced tools. He really is on our side and watches out for us. If that doesn't make you feel better as you face your day, then nothing can.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
Lucas Ward
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