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WHEN THE BORROWED AXE FALLS
2 Kings 6:1-7
When I read this story of the barrowed Axe Falling into river Jordan, I envision of Oasis Global congregation wanting to be independent and self-sustaining congregation within the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Thinking deeper, I was reminded of Proverbs 22:7 says: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Ahh - the lesson is, ‘Don’t borrow somebody else’s tools’. Or the flip side - ‘Don’t loan anyone your tools, they always seem to do something careless and the next thing you know - you don’t get your stuff back – or you get it back wrecked.’
The text speak of the project to be carried out. The plan for the building project is to head out of town (likely Gilgal) to the trees growing on the banks of the Jordan river. Everyone will grab a log and then together - they will construct the new building that will be big enough to meet the needs of the growing student body which was under the leadership of Elisha. Now, Elisha isn’t responsible for the building plan, but he gives it his blessing. At the end of verse 2, one simple word: “Go”. In other words, “Go with my full support and encouragement.” On the process, something comes up that was not expected. There’s always something that makes the job take so much longer than you planned for. For you and me, losing the axe-head would be a disappointment; for those in the text: it’s a DEVASTATION. You can hear it in his plaintive cry: “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.’” In fact, ‘borrowed’ is too mild a translation. ‘Begged’ is better. “I had to beg for the use of that axe-head”. For you and me would be more like a university student who borrows the neighbor’s pickup truck without insurance, like what happened with me at one time, and accidentally drives it into a river. Before going deeper, What’s your axe-head, Christian friend? Keep that question at the back of your head as we wrestle with this scripture.
Beside many ways we may interpret this scripture, I want to invite you to see the PROVIDENCE OF GOD WORKING AHEAD. God’s providence is the way He works out all things for the good of His people. Romans 8:28 in action. “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” As a Christian - you know that … I pray you know that. I pray Oasis Global United Methodist Mission congregation know that also. But sometimes you can get a picture of God that shows you and me always playing defense - like an expert shortstop in baseball. The pitcher throws the ball, the batter hits it - and then the shortstop reacts to the hit – if the ball is over his head – he jumps for it, if the hit is a grounder, he reaches down … sometimes even diving into the dirt - and then, if he’s all-star material, he knows exactly where to throw the ball to make a play and get an out. Do you think of God like that? He’s providing for your needs, working out His good plan - but He’s reacting: The devil makes a move, something evil happens in the world and God plays defense – He responds to bring good out of it? That is not what it is all about.
This text paints a different picture. It reveals God working ahead of time, preparing the way before there’s even a problem that needs solving. What do I mean by that? Well, let me show you what I mean from our text. How did the axe-man get his borrowed axe-head back? You say, “He cried out to Elisha and God did a miracle through his master, that’s how”. Correct. If the prophet hadn’t been there that day - the tool could have gone. But how did Elisha end up on the construction site on the banks of the Jordan River? Remember - he wasn’t planning on going. So, what happened? Well look back at v. 3, “Then one of them said, ‘Be pleased to go with your servants.’ And he answered, ‘I will go.’ (4) So, he went with them.” How I pray that Oasis will be blessed by all of his friends that come into contact with this devotion. By you being part of our network, God has prepared blessings ahead of time by having you connected with Oasis church.
My encouragement to all the readers of this devotion and to the Oasis Global congregation, Don’t be discouraged by attacks of your plans in this world in your lives, your families, in the churches, within the communities that we live, and even in any interaction that you encounter. Know that the PROVIDENCE OF GOD WORKING AHEAD of anything in our lives. Be encouraged to know that God has a full package ready for you and your situations.
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