A GOOD FATHER WITH MANY GOOD SONS
2 Kings 6:1-7
(by Herman Abrahams)
Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries,
P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.
E-Mail: hermanabrahams@yahoo.com
Note to the reader:
If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God for the fact that all over the globe, the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.
Thank you.
Herman Abrahams,
Cape Town, South Africa.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acknowledgement:
This study was compiled after I listened to Pastor Zakes Kumalo preach on the passage in question in Durban, South Africa in September 2005. I am therefore indebted to my Brother Zakes for this compilation; I’ve used some of his points in this message. I pray you will be blessed by it.
2 Kings 6:1-7
An Axhead Floats
2Ki 6:1 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2Ki 6:2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live.” And he said, “Go.” 2Ki 6:3 Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?” “I will,” Elisha replied. 2Ki 6:4 And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 2Ki 6:5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh, my lord,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!” 2Ki 6:6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float.
2Ki 6:7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.
1. A Good Son Will Want To Be In His Father’s
--------------------------------------------------
Company
-------
Vs.1 “where we meet with you”
A good son will want to meet with his daddy – be near him, spend time with him – for instruction, impartation, counselling, prayer, etc.
Mk 3:14 ‘He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach’.
The prodigal (Luke 15:11-32) left home too soon from under the guidance, training & instruction of his daddy – see under 2 below.
2. A Good Son Is Observant & Proposes That Which
-----------------------------------------------------
Is Good For The Kingdom Of God.
-------------------------------
Vs.1 “the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2Ki 6:2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live.”
A good son will observe things and propose that which is good for the Kingdom of God and for the benefit of each other in the Body of Christ. As an example, assume the above comment (vs.1) in the light of a New Testament church:
• A good son will observe an opportunity for church planting. There may be many capable leaders in one local church – “the place… is too small for us”. A new church plant will make room for more gift ministries to be exercised.
• A good son will suggest a church-planting venture and identify a suitable site[s] (“Let us go to the Jordan”);
• A good son will, in his observation, make an unselfish suggestion – “where each of us can get a pole” – in other words, each of us will have enough ministry opportunities; we won’t be in each other’s way!
The prodigal had a selfish approach to life:
• He observed only that which was to his immediate personal advantage – “give me my share of the estate” (NIV Luke 15:12). The Message Bible says: ’Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.’
• He was not concerned about the effect of his actions on his daddy’s household and the rest of his family.
3. A Good Son Will Propose And Do That Which
--------------------------------------------------
Blesses His Father and illicit a positive response
---------------------------------------------------
from his father.
----------------
2Ki 6:2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; … ‘And he said, “Go.”
Vs.3 Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?” “I will,” Elisha replied.’
• The suggestion of the company of prophets (Elisha’s “servants”, his sons) pleased their daddy so much that he immediately gave then the right-away – “go”.
• Similarly, when his sons asked him to accompany them, Elisha’s immediate response was “I will”.
The prodigal’s actions caused his daddy much pain. It could well be that his daddy was standing in the doorway of his house day after day, looking out to see when his son would be coming down that road toward the house. And when he did, and “while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). Obviously the sons initial decision to leave home was not pleasing to his father.
4. A Good Son Is Humble And Understands The True
-----------------------------------------------------
Value Of Greatness.
------------------
Vs. 2 “where each of us can get a pole”.
‘Pole’ is variously translated as ‘log’, ‘beam’ or ‘some wood’.
‘These were humble men. When they wanted room they did not speak of sending for cedars, and marble stones, and curious artificers, but only of getting every man a beam, to run up a plain hut or cottage with.’
Paul – 1Ti 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
These sons were true servants. The prodigal was not interested in serving. He wanted to to get away (too early) from serving his daddy. It was only when he decided to go back to his father’s house as a servant that there was rejoicing in his father’s house, because the son was now walking in his true calling – he was lost, but now was found! (See Luke 15:18-24)
5. A Good Son Is Hardworking.
---------------------------------
Vs.2 “and let us build a place there for us to live”
‘The students built their own school. That would be an unusual thing in our day. Today everything has to be given to the students in order to get them through school and, if it doesn’t suit them, they rebel. But these students went out to work, and Elisha encouraged them in it.’
2 Thess 3:7-11
2Th 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 2Th 3:8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 2Th 3:9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 2Th 3:11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
The prodigal however thought only of all-out pleasure – now! Lk 15:13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
6. A Good Son Is Not After Money / Not After
-------------------------------------------------
Selfish Gain.
-------------
Vs. 2 “where each of us can get a pole”. They were just interested in a ‘pole’ and being with their father.
See comments under 4 above re the ‘cedars’, ‘marble’ and ‘stones’.
The prodigal thought only of money. He focused on a material inheritance rather than a spiritual one.
Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
7. A Good Son Is Resourceful.
----------------------------------
Vs. 5 “it was borrowed!”
They ‘borrowed’ equipment to get the job done – they made a plan!
Lack of finances and equipment need not always be a deterrent to preaching the gospel.
The prodigal – maybe his thinking was something like this: “my daddy – he got the money man! No need to be resourceful – we’ve got it!”
8. A Good Son Respects His Daddy And Sumbits To
----------------------------------------------------
Him.
----
Vs. 2 & 3 … And he said, “Go.” 2Ki 6:3 Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?” “I will,” Elisha replied.
They invited their daddy along - wanted him with them; they valued and sought his wisdom, knowledge, input and anointing.
The prodigal went out on his own – a lone ranger. He had no-one to guide him.
9. A Good Son Seeks His Daddy’s Approval.
----------------------------------------------
Vs. 2 Let us go to the Jordan … And he said, “Go.”
The prodigal ‘Give me my inheritance … not long after that … set out for a foreign country’ (Luke 15:12-13). He didn’t ask – he just decided on his own what he was going to do. (“I’m outta here – I’m heading for the bright lights of California man!”)
10. A Good Son Has Integrity And The Interests Of
---------------------------------------------------
Others At Heart.
---------------
Vs. 5 “it was borrowed!”
Elisha’s sons displayed integrity and concern for the property of others. They were worried at the possibility of losing what belonged to someone else.
Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phil 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
The prodigal only thought of his own interests –money, good times, partying, bright lights.
A GOOD FATHER
1. Gives Feedback
-----------------------
Vs.2 “Go”
Vs.3 “Yes, I Will”
Elisha did not leave his sons in the lurch – he kept them informed.
2. Is Humble
------------------
A good father is prepared to go and do the job with his sons - don’t try to fellowship with or mentor your sons from your office!
Jesus was a hands-on mentor.
3. Is Compassionate
------------------------
Sons will mess up – will drop the axe into the water (vs.5)
Be prepared to help your sons out of their crisis – ‘Cut a stick’ … make ‘the iron float’(2 Ki 6:6).
NOTE THE REACTION OF THE PRODIGAL’S DADDY –
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)
4. Uses His Gifts, Wisdom & Anointing To Bless
---------------------------------------------------
His Sons.
---------
2 Ki.6:6 Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 2Ki 6:7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.
Elisha was an excellent role model for his sons – he demonstrated faith in the power of God to get them out of their crisis!
1 Tim 4:12 “… set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Our faith in Almighty God and His awesome miraculous power will bless our sons in their walk with their Heavenly Daddy..
(end of document)
Compiled By:
Herman Abrahams
E-Mail: hermanabrahams@yahoo.com
Your comments or questions are most welcome.
