The early chapters of 2 Kings record some of the amazing miracles performed by the prophet Elisha. 2 Kings 5 records the miracle of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, and his spectacular healing after dipping seven times in the Jordan River. Coming up out of the water the seventh time, the leprosy was gone and his flesh was like that of a little child.
Then we turn to 2 Kings 6 and read the very interesting narrative of the floating ax head. A nameless student from the Bible College was chopping wood with a borrowed ax when suddenly he felt the handle go light in his hands. The iron ax head had flown off the handle and had fallen into the Jordan River sinking straight to the bottom. Elisha had the young man show him the place where the ax head had fallen in. Cutting down a branch from a nearby tree, Elisha threw it into the water and the iron ax head miraculously rose to the surface.
Note the contrast here. In c5 we read about Naaman who was a big time man and his healing of leprosy which was a big time miracle. And then in c6 we read about a nameless Bible College student who lost a borrowed ax head.
Some may wonder why this particular miracle is even recorded in the Bible. I believe it’s there because God wants us to know that He cares about the everyday problems of everyday people. God cares about the extraordinary and the ordinary. He cares about the needs of a young college student just as much as those of an important government official. Furthermore, the first miracle tells us there is nothing too big for God. The second tells us there is nothing too small!
So what needs do you have today? Whatever they are, follow the advice of Peter and cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you! (1 Peter 5:7) He is the God of the big and small.
Pastor Todd Weston
Then we turn to 2 Kings 6 and read the very interesting narrative of the floating ax head. A nameless student from the Bible College was chopping wood with a borrowed ax when suddenly he felt the handle go light in his hands. The iron ax head had flown off the handle and had fallen into the Jordan River sinking straight to the bottom. Elisha had the young man show him the place where the ax head had fallen in. Cutting down a branch from a nearby tree, Elisha threw it into the water and the iron ax head miraculously rose to the surface.
Note the contrast here. In c5 we read about Naaman who was a big time man and his healing of leprosy which was a big time miracle. And then in c6 we read about a nameless Bible College student who lost a borrowed ax head.
Some may wonder why this particular miracle is even recorded in the Bible. I believe it’s there because God wants us to know that He cares about the everyday problems of everyday people. God cares about the extraordinary and the ordinary. He cares about the needs of a young college student just as much as those of an important government official. Furthermore, the first miracle tells us there is nothing too big for God. The second tells us there is nothing too small!
So what needs do you have today? Whatever they are, follow the advice of Peter and cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you! (1 Peter 5:7) He is the God of the big and small.
Pastor Todd Weston
