Ax Heads and Armies
Last night I went to my meeting late and left early. I came home to finish my mother’s tax return. I was thankful for a lighter day today, but still felt like I didn’t get everything done I wanted to. I enjoyed a nice lunch with Eric Creed, the Senior Land Man for Great West Oil and Gas. What an interesting background as published author, attorney and publication editor. I found that out when I asked him to write an op-ed on some industry issues.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… one of them [the sons of the prophets] was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Oh, my master, it was borrowed!”…. When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” (2 Kings 6:4,15 HCSB)
I recall my brother talking about the “varied life of a Marine.” In his experience as an Officer, he could be enjoying a fine meal at a banquet on Friday night and then on Saturday be with the troops on training maneuvers, out in the elements, chipping away at a can of rations.
We find described in just a few verses of 2 Kings 6, the “varied life a prophet of the Lord.” In the first situation, the “sons of the prophets” were clearing land to build more houses. In the process the ax head of a borrowed tool flies off into the waters of the Jordan. Panic grips that man who had just lost his friends ax. He cries out to the prophet Elisha for help. Elisha cuts a stick, throws it into the water and the iron ax head floats. The man retrieves the ax head and the “day is saved.”
In the next situation, we see Elisha serving as a “divine spy” for the King of Israel. The Lord would reveal the plans of the enemy to Elisha and he would tell the King of Israel. When the King of Aram asked who the traitor was in his midst, One of his servants said, “No one, my lord the king. Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in your bedroom.” (2 Kings 6:12 HCSB)
The King of Aram sends his armies to capture Elisha. I like this scene as Elisha’s servant walks to the balcony first thing in the morning and what does he see? The hills covered with hundreds of enemy soldiers! Not a good way to start your day!
Elisha is not panicked or concerned. Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16 HCSB) I’m not sure if that brought comfort to the servant. I can see the servant begin counting as he looks at the armies surrounding the city.
But then, Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17 HCSB)
As the enemy armies advances against the city, Elisha prayed again and the Lord struck them with blindness. The enemy troops were led into the city to the amazement of the King. Elisha told the King to feed the enemy troops and let them go. The “day is saved” and Israel was not attacked again by the King of Aram.
What is more of a crisis? A lost ax head that is borrowed or a city surrounded by enemy armies? It depends who you are? At the time, they were both a cause for panic. What we see is God is concerned for both and God used Elisha to accomplish a great miracle in both situations.
The simple lesson for today is: “there is nothing too difficult for God and there is nothing to small or too great for God.” Don’t believe your issue small or large is outside of God’s concern and power to intervene.
“The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 NLT)