Floating Iron

There is an interesting little story in 2 Kings 6:1-9 that demonstrates the power of God. (as recorded in The Message)

One day the guild of prophets came to Elisha and said: "You can see that this place where we're living under your leadership is getting cramped---we have no elbow room. Give us permission to go down to the Jordan where each of us will get a log. We'll build a roomier place."

Elisha said, "Go ahead."

One of them then said, "Please! Come along with us!"

He said, "Certainly".

He went with them. They came to the Jordan and started chopping down trees. As one of them was felling a timber, the axhead flew off and sank in the river.

"Oh, no, master!" he cried out. "And it was borrowed!".

The Holy Man (Elisha) said, "Where did it sink?"

The man showed him the place.

He cut off a branch and tossed it at the spot. The axhead floated up.

"Grab it," he said. The man reached out and took it.

Well...in the first place, the honor of the guild of prophets was at stake because the axhead was borrowed. At that time an iron axhead was a costly tool, too expensive for the members of the guild to purchase. Having lost it, the borrower faced the prospect of having to work off the value as a bondservant.

Secondly, the name of their God would also be compromised.

Through his man, Elisha, God worked another of his wonderments and caused the iron to rise and swim! Isn't that just like him? For things impossible with man are possible with God!

In thinking about this biblical account of Elisha, I started to conjur up the 'axheads' in my life. We all share the same 'irons' at one time or another during the span of a lifetime....

financial straits

failing health

broken relationships

family problems

greed

discontent

unforgiveness

depravity

Whatever the desperate case in our lives, if we stay faithful to our God, we will see his finger working marvels among his people.

And, the iron shall swim!!