The Way
The Axe Head That Floated
One borrowed iron axe
Story
The disciples of the prophets said to Elisha, “The place where we live with you is too small for us. Let's go to the Jordan, each cut a beam, and build a place to live there.” Elisha told them to go, and one of the disciples said, “Please come with us.” Elisha agreed and went along. Soon the sound of axes rang through the woods by the Jordan.
As one of the disciples was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head flew off the handle and fell into the water. The disciple cried out, “Oh no, master, it was borrowed!” Iron was precious in those days. For the disciple who had lost what he borrowed, that axe was a debt he had no way to repay.
Elisha asked, “Where did it fall?” The disciple pointed to the place. Elisha cut a stick and threw it there. Then the iron axe head that had sunk floated up to the surface. Elisha said, “Pick it up.” The disciple reached out his hand and took hold of the floating axe head.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and the Prophets
Where did it fall?
Pick it up.
Oh no, master, it was a borrowed axe!
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 2 Kgs 6:1–7
Background
Iron was spreading widely in those days, but iron tools were still expensive. The law said that if a borrowed animal was injured or died, the borrower had to make it good.
Pause and Reflect
What worry have I kept from God because it seemed too small?