God is concerned about your lost or broken and borrowed tools - 2 Kings 6-10

The story in 2 Kings 6 is fascinating from several angels and contains several lessons for all of us: The prophets had gathered around Elisha (don't followers often attach themselves to dynamic leaders?) and the "space" was too tight for them all (growth has its problems). The prophets decided to build bigger accommodations at another site (building projects often cause us to move from the norm). Can you imagine the nay-sayers who would not want to move or build ... they would cling to their favorite spot - not wanting to budge. God draws people together and give them energy and vision to move. Gathered people need not be stationary. After moving and starting to build the "prophets" are forced to do the labor. Not content just prophesying the prophet trades in his pen and voice for a hammer and an axe. Men of God are not exempt from physical labor. In fact, the labor might be good for the brain as well as the brawn. Work with hands can keep the mind sharp ... or so they tell me :)).

But, apparently the prophets don't just have a tool shed with all the equipment they need. One prophet, at least, had to borrow an axe to do the work. Having a relationship with someone close enough who would lend the ax is something in itself. An ax in these Biblical times would be equivalent to lending a car or a computer or something of utmost importance. Here a neighbor lends his ax. That shows great relationship and trust with this particular prophet. Apparently the head of the axe comes off and falls into the water. The prophet is a man of character and worries that the offense to whom he borrowed the axe would be greater than than the loss of the tool. Elisha is willing to help which indicates God was willing to help. In the margin of my Bible I have written the question, "Why is this story in the Bible?" As seen above there are many lessons to learn but perhaps the greatest is the fact that this lesson shows that God is concerned about the very little things in life. God, through His servant Elisha, uses His power to rescue the axe head. God has many, many things to do in our lives that are of utmost importance. But, in His sovereign rule, He is still concerned about the very little things in our lives. When we are busy doing His will and His work God is actively working to make that work profitable and enjoyable without costing even our friends an old axe head.