The Lost Ax Head

The Lost Ax Head

Q: A man borrowed an ax to cut down trees. The ax head fell into the river. How did the man get it out?

• a. He swam to the bottom of the river to get it.
• b. Elisha parted the river, and the man walked in and got it.
• c. Elisha threw a stick in the water, and the ax head floated so the man could grab it.

Elisha’s group of prophets was growing, and they needed a larger place to meet. They decided to build a new meeting place by the Jordan River. As they were cutting down trees, one of the ax heads fell into the water. A younger prophet was upset. He’d borrowed the ax, and now part of it was at the bottom of the Jordan. The prophet went and told Elisha the problem.

“Where did it fall?” Elisha asked.

The man pointed to the spot, and Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface. The younger prophet reached out and grabbed it. Problem solved.

Even though the younger prophet was doing a good thing, something went wrong. He couldn’t continue his work because he’d lost the ax head. Perhaps if he’d asked God directly what to do, the Lord would have given him a solution. But the man did what he thought was best and went to Elisha, a man of God he respected. The Lord gave Elisha the power to raise the ax head from the bottom of the river.

For You

Doing a task for God is no guarantee something won’t go wrong, but if God wants the job done, he’ll provide a solution. Don’t be discouraged when it seems you’re facing defeat. Ask God how he wants you to handle it. And don’t be afraid to ask advice of spiritual leaders just like the man who lost the ax head did.

Answer: c

“Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface. “Grab it,” Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it.   2 Kings 6:6-7

(The Whole Story: 2 Kings 6:1-7)