A Wasted Miracle?” 2 Kings #08
This is an exposition of 2 Kings 6:1-7. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, July 31, 2016.
Intro:
The Scripture admonishes us to “pray without ceasing.” We also know, from Scripture, that we should pray about everything. But aren’t there times when you feel uncomfortable praying about certain things? Aren’t there things that you think, “Oh, it would be silly to pray about this. This is no big deal how could I ask God to do something about this?” I mean of course you pray about cancer and job interviews and the other “big” things in life but aren’t there things that are just too trivial to pray over? It seems to me common sense would tell you that. God is busy maintaining the universe and dealing with world hunger and political upheaval. Surely He can’t be bothered by trivial matters. Then you come across 2 Kings 2 Kings 6. A man borrows an axe, is in the process of cutting down a tree when the axe head flies off and lands in the river. He cries out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” He is in despair because he lost a borrowed axe head and the prophet of God performs a miracle in getting it back. Again I ask, “Paul did you read 2 Kings 2 Kings 6?”
Text: 2 Kings 6:1-7
Why is this passage in the Bible?
It seems trivial.
It seems senseless.
It is unnecessary.
It is outlandish.
It’s been a source of scorn and ridicule.
What deep and glorious truth can we possibly learn from such a tale?
Yet, there it is – in India ink on onion skin paper and leather bound – but why?
Some approach this story and say flat out this is a myth and has no basis in fact. This is an invented tale to build the reputation of Elisha as God’s prophet. It never happened. Of course we would reject such an interpretation because we believe this book to be the revelation of God. This is God’s word. Others say, “Yes, this is God’s word but this story is not to be read supernaturally. What actually happened was that Elisha poked around in the water until he located the iron axe head and then drug it into shallow water where they man saw the axe head and retrieved it. Others say the best way to understand the story is to read it as an allegory. It’s not really about an axe head – the axe head represents something else. One version says the axe head represents a man’s soul. That soul is lost in the river of God’s judgment. The stick naturally represents the cross and the man reaching to retrieve the axe head represents faith laying hold of salvation through the cross. Of course there is nothing in the text or the surrounding text or anywhere else in Scripture that would indicate that this story should be read in that way! Still others say that we just need to draw some moral lessons from the story. Don’t borrow someone’s tools or don’t cut wood down by the river.
I thought it would be fun to “google” this and see what folks were saying.
I came across the name of a rabbi who had written extensively on the miracles of Elisha.
He had 5 chapters on this story.
The whole story is just 7 verses, he wrote 5 chapter on it!
I’ve got a crazy idea.
What if its just about what it says its about?
The Son’s of the prophets decided to enter into a building project.
They go to cut some wood and one of them loses an axe head – that was borrowed.
He’s upset about it and asked Elisha to do something.
God miraculously causes the iron axe head to float and the tool is restored.
What if it is just what it says it is?
Why is the story told and what do we need to learn?
Thesis: God is faithful in all our emergencies whether they be great or small.
Let me point out three things just briefly.
- Note the care of God in the simple and the ordinary. (6:1-2, 4-5a)
- God’s power is extended to meet genuine need no matter how small or insignificant. (6:5-7)
- The comfort of God’s providential care. (6:3-4)
Conclusion:
This is why we sing:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.
Jesus What a Friend to Sinners, J. Wilbur Chapman
Our God is faithful in all our emergencies whether they be great or small.