When Things Just Go Wrong – Part II
II Kings 6:1-7; 4 Kingdoms 6:1-7
In the introduction to Part I, we noted that mistakes, shortcomings and accidents can often hinder our service to God and to others, causing our efforts to be inadequate and ineffective. We then read how the prophet Elisha covered and redeemed the mistake and shortcoming of two men who truly wanted to serve.
As we now consider the third of the three “small” miracles in this period of Elisha’s ministry, we come upon yet another man who is beset by an accident which could have impaired his service.
“The Fallen Ax Head”
Despite the opposition from rulers and apathy among the people of Judah, the number of the sons of the prophets was increasing. They recognized that their facility was too small, so they asked Elisha for his blessing to expand their living quarters. “Please let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make a place where we may dwell” (vs.2).
When Elisha agreed, one of them asked him to accompany them and, again, he consented. Here we may pause to be reminded that without the Lord’s blessing and presence with us in our work, our labor will likely be in vain. We recall that before the Israelites left Mt. Sinai on their journey to the Promised Land, Moses said to God, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here” (Exodus 33:15). The Psalmist concurs, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalm 126/127:1).
So, the company of the sons of the prophets proceeded to the Jordan River plain to cut trees for their project. It is apparent that every one of them was heartily engaged in the work at hand. They were enthusiastic as the chips flew and the trees fell. But (at least for one man), the gladness turned to sadness when his ax head suddenly flew away from the handle and fell into the water nearby.
He may well have stood for a time – stunned and surprised. “How could this be? It was going so well.” Then he cried out (Hebrew: tsaw-ak – shriek) to Elisha, “Alas, Master! For it was borrowed.” (vs.5). The fallen ax head had not only halted his work but had now put him in debt to its owner. It was a terrible accident. Embarrassing before his brethren and shameful before the lender. Oh my! Oh my!
Upon hearing his cry, Elisha came quickly to help. He listened carefully as his grief-stricken son told the story. Then he calmly asked, “Where did it fall?” (vs.6). His trembling finger pointed to the spot where the ax head had disappeared in the river. It was gone.
Placing ourselves in this story for a moment, some of us may have had similar experiences. We commit ourselves to serve our Lord – to help those in need, to reach those who are lost, to strengthen the church, to set a Christ-like example. We utilize our bodies, our minds, our senses, our abilities, etc. to be His witnesses. Our service goes well for a time and brings us great joy. Then, somehow it happens. Something is lost. We become distracted, disinterested, despondent – somehow, our ax head has gotten away from us and disappeared. We may not be sure just how it happened, but we must admit that it is gone.
At this point, we are embarrassed before our brethren/ fellow-workers. Then we realize that our ax head was not ours but was given from God. “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body” (I Corinthians 6:19,20). We know now that we must turn and cry out to Him in fervent prayer, “Alas Master! …….. “.
Just as Elisha answered his cry, so also do we have such a promise: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). When He is near and we are bowed before Him, be prepared for that quiet question, “Where did it fall?” And don’t be ashamed to point your trembling finger if you do know the spot (time, place, habit, activity) where it disappeared.
By this time, other workers might have gathered around. They must have been quite perplexed when Elisha cut off a stick (presumably from a bush). It was likely too short to reach the fallen ax head and too small to dredge the bed of the river. So, they watched curiously as he threw the stick where the finger pointed. Within a moment the iron ax head appeared on the surface of the water – floating like a tiny raft!
The sight of the floating ax head brought shouts of jubilation among them. But none could have been more relieved than the one holding the empty ax handle. His heart must have been floating like the ax head as he reached out his hand to retrieve it. The man of God had done it yet again. Elisha, God’s servant, had reversed the effects of the accident with an intentional act of love and power. The captain had been called; the condition had been confessed; and the crisis had been corrected. Glory be to our wonderful God!
At the most crucial point in history – “in the fulness of time” (Galatians 4:4) – God heard the cries of His people who were drowning in darkness. On the hill of Golgotha, He cast a “stick” which bore His only begotten Son into the earth and trampled down death. So, when the accidents of life threaten us, be not dismayed. Our Lord can recover that fallen ax head and our work for Him can continue.
May God be with each of you,
Fr. Andrew
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