Getting Your Edge Back

2 Kings 6:1–3 (ESV) Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” 3 Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.”

This is wonderful news for the narrative of the books of 1 & 2 Kings. We should remember that at the time Elijah began his ministry, the prophets were hiding in caves and being fed secretly lest Jezebel destroyed them. Now the school of prophetic ministry in Israel is booming and they need to increase the size of their gathering.

Elisha has been largely instrumental in growing the ministry. His works have been impressive and his bravery unparalleled. I know Elijah gets a lot of attention and he should as a trailblazer in a time of rampant apostasy but Elisha's contribution is far greater in measure. Those that follow great men should outperform them. They stand on their shoulders and benefit from the shots they took to establish new forms of ministry.

Elisha has shown bravery and leadership in the face of famine, kings, notable generals and critics. That kind of leadership naturally draws more people into any endeavor. So the school of the prophets is growing indeed.

Tragedy strikes in an interesting way when the men go to work on the school expansion:
2 Kings 6:5 (ESV) But as one was felling a log, his ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.”

Now we would tend to see this as a small issue. It's an ax head. It is not expensive to us. But to the Bronze Age, this was an enormous loss, like the loss of a Semi truck filled with goods. The man's despair is understandable if you consider an ax could have cost an average worker many months of salary in those days.

Elisha's intervention here is important on many accounts. Look at what he does:

2 Kings 6:6 (ESV) Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float.

First, Elisha associates with this man. "Where did it fall?" Elisha is involved in the trouble of the young prophets. He models for us what Jesus exhibited in coming to dwell among us and feel the pains we feel. 

Second, Elisha acted on his behalf. He didn't condemn the prophet or belittle him. Elisha models what we see in Jesus, the man of sorrows who is familiar with grief, the one who does not snuff out a smoldering wick. 

Third, Elisha resurrected the ax head. This is interesting as the miracle reproduces the original ax head. You could say the man got his "edge back". His work would be effective again. Perhaps the best part of this miracle is how small it seems to us and to realize that even what seems small is important to God. He's ready to help you where you are with what you need. 

2 Kings 6:7 (ESV) And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.

Perhaps we need to look at this short story and remember Jesus. He's the one who came and felt what we feel in order to heal it. He's the one who did not come to condemn but came to save. He's the one who sees the small issues of our lives and invests in them with His miracle of saving grace. He can restore us in an instant. 

Perhaps you need your edge back. Perhaps the current crisis has you crying out. Turn to Him and let Him know your needs. He will take care of His own.