2 King 6:1-7 And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us. Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell.” So he answered, “Go.” Then one said, “Please consent to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.” So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So he reached out his hand and took it.

In 2. Kings 6:1-7, we read a story about the prophet Elisha and several of the prophets’ sons. What happened was that the prophets’ sons wanted to cut down some trees to make more room. When Elisha was at the river Jordan with them, at the place where they wanted to cut down the trees, the axe head fell into the water. As a result, Elisha took a stick and put it into the water, there where the axe head had gone under. Then all at once, it appeared on the surface of the water, so that the son of the prophet was able to grab a hold of it.

It is obvious that you cannot cut down a tree with a wooden pole or stick. However, although it is not meant in a literal sense, that is exactly what people are doing on a daily basis. They are trying to solve their problems with the wrong means or help. The iron is missing. There was a time when people had a special relationship with God and there were no problems. Unfortunately however, this relationship has fallen apart for individuals; it went down in the flow of life with all the worries and hopelessness. As a result of a special type of wood, we have hope for the restoring of the relationship. We are referring to the cross on which Jesus Christ died for our sins. If this wood enters into the stream of your life, then you receive the opportunity to grab a hold of the iron (the relationship with God). Will all your problems be solved? No! However, it will solve the most important problem – your salvation, and it will give you tools for other difficulties. Be assured, the power of the cross would also like to do something in your life. sw

Additional Verses to Study: Psalm 61; 63; 1 Corinthian 1:18; Ephesian 2:13-18; 1 John 1,6-7