The book of 2 Kings is a gloomy, yet revival based synopsis. The biblical times are almost apocaliptic in the message, as the Northern and Southern kingdoms struggle for their independence. Isreal and Judah are in an all out race to heavily market their governing power in the mist of religous complexion.
Today’s text will be found in II. King’s chapter 6 verse 1-7, which is a story of human restoration and recovery.
Lets look at verse 1 carefully:
And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too narrow for us.
Now collectively, the sons of the prophets, (or the group of thinkers, laborers, future theologians, doctors, teachers, politicians, musicians, and craftsmen) came to an understanding that their dwelling place was to small. Likewise, many Christians in modern day society always think of our next big move, or we are loooking for the next best thing. Whether that means we take a tour of the bigger house, better car, or search for a better job that will give us the opportunity to make "big money" to maybe support a big family. We have collectively come to conclude that bigger is better.
Let’s agree with the sons of the prophets, we are always on the move when our resources are shortened, or when we are in positions that seem like a dead end, or when we are ready to go and live out our purpose after we have prayed and asked God to let us go.
In verse 2, we not only see the mindset of the sons of the prophets, but we can actually look into our own mindsets and evaluate our decisions.
Verse 2 Let us go, we pray thee, into Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
These servants of Elisha were quick to go to Jordan, and they had the will to labor and work together. Even in the society we live in, Christians have to understand that the results of moving from narrow to wider options is labor when you get there- in order to make living conditions a little better.
Verse 3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
This is what I call a "power transition" because Elisha is willing to adhere to his servants schedule and listen to their plans. If Elisha was here today he would be the cool, down to earth person that everyone looked to for guidance.
Verse 4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
Now when they journeyed, laughed, talked about their plans, and conversated with Elisha, they finally came to Jordan and it was time to put the axe to work.
Verse 5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
I can only imagine this guy’s axe-head falling off- if it were: 1- loose from the start, 2- mishandled, or used with unskillful force, or 3- just happened to be a bad axe, untended by the original owner (for the axe was borrowed).
Carefully, let’s dissect this verse: In life I’ve noticed that many people try to put forth their best effort, but are disqualified from participating because their main source of efficiency is circulating in a place where it can no longer be used. Also we live in a society where hope is excluded from disaster, faith is under the line of turbulence, and many Christians are missing an important piece of their lives.
Likewise, we look around at everyone else getting the job done, or doing what the’ve always wanted to do. And by us doing nothing but fantisizing over what used to work for our good, we are in a quandary over what our next move should be. I mean, what we were once inspired to do, seems quite impossible for the simple fact that we are missing an important piece of our lives . Many of you have had resources and hook-ups that made you who you are today, and others had guides and teachers that would make the job easier for you to manage in a given time.
Yet, look at verse 6: And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
Have you ever been so disturbed that you panic because you were in a situation where there seemed to be very litte to be done, except look and say "What the Heck". You ever been so uptight because you can’t find what you once had?
And you are so heart broken because what you once had produced results, what you once had made life easier, what you once had made you feel proud of yourself and appreciate life. Lets be honest, what you once had was Hope. What you once had was faith, what you once had was a purpose with God through Jesus Christ. However, while you were building what God was revealing your source fell off.
I have noticed that many people aren’t mindful when the word of God is loose from their lives because they aren’t attentive to God’s voice. Another selection could be that many people misuse the word and the power of God in order to outdo the competetion. Last but not least, there are those who happen to have bad experiences in ministry due to someone else’s handling of the Word and its teachings.
Verse 7: Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it. We must understand that your strenghth is right where you left it. Are you brave enough to retrace your steps and find out where your hope has gone? Are you willing to take hold of your faith again with the tenacity to work it out according to the Word of God? Are you ready to reach for your potential? Are you set to embrance the vision you once had in the works?
All you have to do is show God the place: where your source sunk, show God the place where your love for one another came a loose, show God the place where your potential is no longer visible, show God the place where your hope for tomorrow fell, show God the place where you fell off...
and God will show you His son who died and was resurrected so that you can receive Him with open arms.
