Teachings
The Lost Axehead
2 Kings 6:1-7
Whatever else can be said about this narrative, we should understand that it focuses on, revolves around, and wouldn't be a story without a lost axe head. Had the axe head remained attached to the handle there would have been no emergency, no need to consult Elisha for a miracle, and no need to exercise faith.
In a nutshell here's what happened. Elijah had started a school of the prophets that had continued to expand under the tutelage of Elijah's successor Elisha. There were now three cities where the School of the Prophets lived—Jericho, Gilgal, and Bethel. The facilities here in Gilgal had grown to where the men were too cramped, so they undertook an expansion project. With Elisha's approval to enlarge their housing the prophets went to the river, where trees grew, and began cutting down timber.
Each man took turns striking blows against those thick lumbering trees until the axe head flew free of the handle and sunk into the deep waters of the Jordan River. Suddenly, they were faced with several problems. It's amazing how quickly trouble can show up! What were the problems?
1. Problem # 1: Misfortune happens when we are doing God's work. Have you ever noticed how that we can have things go wrong when we're trying to do right?
(Illustration) Some years ago a friend and I went to the streets to witness. As we were just a few feet away from a bar, a huge man held a knife just inches from my face! How would you like to witness in the face of a switchblade? Anyway, there are times when things seem to go awry when you are doing good, and that's what this story of the lost axe head shows.
The Bible doesn't say, but there are two explanations as to why this handle was lost.
One, this prophet-lumberjack was careless, as he didn't continue monitoring his equipment. (I have an axe like this. The handle always needs bumping back down onto the handle.)
On the other hand, the young prophet may not have been careless at all; he simply had an unavoidable mishap.
Did you notice that God allowed the accident to occur? This didn't mean the building project was out of God's will. Accidents happen.
2. Problem # 2: The lost axe head was borrowed. That meant somebody would have to pay for the replacement of the axe. The young prophet that lost the axe head would most likely become someone's servant until he had worked off the debt of this axe head. And in the 8th Century BC iron was a valuable commodity; that meant he was in for a lengthy time of servitude.
3. Problem # 3: The work on the prophetic quarters could not continue without a cutting device.
An axe head is a tool of sharpness that assists us in accomplishing what we could not normally do alone. And God has given everyone here an axe head. He has placed something in our hands that makes s effective for kingdom service. You and I cannot accomplish what God wants us to do without supernatural assistance.
I believe it's important for us to know what tools and gifts the Holy Spirit has given to us that help us accomplish God's purposes. (Prayer, giving, sharing, teaching, mercy, helps, encouraging.) It's important to give earnest attention to our spiritual instruments we use in kingdom work.
4. Problem # 4: It would take nothing less than a miracle for this axe head to be retrieved from the bottom of the river. And that's what happened!
Remember when I mentioned that things sometimes go wrong when we try to do right, that God now shows us that He can pull victory out of the jaws of defeat. God's providence was controlling the entire situation. And this shows us that God is always greater than our need; He is never boxed in.
Let's examine how the axe head was retrieved: First, the young man ran to Elisha (the man of God) and explained the dilemma. "We borrowed an axe from so and so . . . and now it's lost." That's good. It's always appropriate to admit your mistakes. So Elisha answers: "Alright, where did you lose it"?
(Example) Have you ever lost your car keys or eyeglasses? There's an effective mental exercise that helps identify where you lost them. Ask yourself, "Where did I last have them?" Or, "What was I doing when I lost them?"
On the surface, it doesn't even seem necessary to know the exact location of the axe head's disappearance. If God could give buoyancy to that chunk of lead He could have revealed where it fell in the water. But He didn't.
So what's the significance of Elisha's request as to where the axe head was lost? God wants us to verbally identify where we lost our kingdom effectiveness.
Did you lose our cutting edge with God when you stopped praying . . .witnessing . . . giving . . . or stopped your devotions? Do you remember where it was?
(Transition) We've talked about four problems in this story, now let's consider the solution to restoring our cutting edge effectiveness with God. Let's talk about how we can replace the axe onto the handle and restore sharpness to our dullness in your walk with God? There are several steps you can take to recover your loss:
1. Admit you need God. Verse 5 says when the young man lost the axe head "he cried out and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."" Don't be ashamed to confess your mistake and ask God for help.
2. Identify where you lost your usefulness. Elisha was careful to inquire where the loss occurred in verse 6: "Then the man of God said, "Where did it fall"? This is where the young man stepped forward and pointed where the axe head flew into the river. And we should be willing to let God show us where we may have lost our blessing.
3. Recognize that Christ is the answer to every dilemma. The "stick," the piece of wood that Elisha threw into the river, represents Christ. That stick (the Cross of Christ) has lifting power!
4. Work with God's plan to restore your loss. Elisha said to the young man in verse 7, "Take it up for yourself." So he put out his hand and took it."
The axe head needs to be replaced into the handle and employed. Put the axe head back into the handle of your life. If you've lost the anointing you need to reclaim it and replace it. Reclaim your cutting edge.
Read 1 Chronicles 22
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