2 Kings 6:1-6

Steve Holloway

There are some passages in Scripture where you could be forgiven for thinking "What's the point of that passage?" So some young prophet looses his axe head? Hey stuff happens! On the grand scheme of things this is not exactly a disaster. Haven't we all broken or lost something we borrowed. In fact my mum once told me that I should lend things never expecting them to be returned (and when it comes to books, CD's and DVD's she was spot on - they never are!).

If we can agree that 'ALL Scripture is inspired by God', then this passage must be included. If we can also agree that God doesn't just do things to show off, like some kind of magic trick - then we have to conclude that there is something for us in these verses.

Firstly, take a look at the first couple of verses.

"The company of prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we meet with you is too small.. Let us go to the Jordan...let us build a place there for us to live."

Note that the younger prophets who met with Elisha felt they wanted to build their own thing. In our fast paced world, church and ministry is changing, responding and (in many places) growing quickly. The models of a few years ago 'don't fit' today. It is not a new thing for the next generation to want to 'do a new thing', but the turn around is much quicker today.

Notice what happens. Elisha gives permission. There is grace and wisdom in the older prophet releasing the younger to create and build appropriately for themselves.

Now see in v3, one man has the wisdom to ask Elisha to come. Wise older men and women in God will release the next generation. BUT, the wise among the young will ask the elder prophets to come. A new thing in God, is not licence to reject our fathers in God.

So then a young man looses his axe head in the river. How?

The only way is by facing the wrong way. He was swinging with his axe to the river. If he were positioned the other way, the head would have landed on the ground. It is very easy to be doing the right thing in God, the wrong way.

The first response of the man is to call to the experience and wisdom of Elisha for help because 'it was borrowed'. How glad he must have been that Elisha came.

When we build something new in God it is always with something borrowed. We are using the foundations of our forefathers. We must take care of what we build with. We must care for and respect it as much as if it was paid for with the blood of martyrs.