In this point of our study we will determine why an axe was needed in the first place. Though in the narrative the story revolves around the “sons of the prophets”, they can represent any situation where a church needs to expand it’s facilities, and I believe that is where we can learn some truths tonight, or at least be reminded of these things.

1. This lets us know that, even in a time of religious apathy in the land, there still was much being done for God in some places. Elisha’s ministry was growing and so were the schools of the prophets founded in various places in Israel.

2. These men had out-grown the accommodations of just a few years before because many more had joined their ranks. In our thinking it could be comparable to a church growing to the place that the building they are in is not big enough for all the people coming and the ministries that it wishes to have.

3. These fellows were not content to except the status quo of how things had been before. They were living in crowded conditions that were not conducive to study of the Word, or for good relationships with your fellow students. This is probably a text that many Bible college planning boards have referred to when seeking approval of a building expansion!

4. Since Elisha had an itinerate ministry and what not at each school all the time, it would appear that these men had discussed the problem before them, had come up with how it could be handled, and then confronted Elisha with their problem and it’s solution. Their solution was to go to the Jordan River, where trees abounded, and have each man cut down a tree and build a larger place there.

5. This teaches us that we too must confront expansion needs as soon as it becomes apparent that it is there, and then come up with a master plan on how to deal with it. It is foolishness to jump into some building program without careful thought and weighing all the options. It is complete foolishness and a bad testimony to start something that cannot be finished.

6. We have faced needs similar to this in recent years here at NEBC. In the early 1960’s the church saw the need of having a basement. In 1978 the church saw the need of adding an addition on to the back of the church. In the mid-1980’s the church decided to dig out a place for a kitchen. In recent times we have redone the roof, and are currently waiting to have the handicap access ramp built. We are also seriously looking at replacing the windows of the church; putting up siding; padding the pews; other needed repairs of the building.

1. Elisha was their spiritual leader and as such they wanted his approval of this project that they have just presented to him. They wanted his approval as the man of God to be certain they were not getting out of God’s will. We are not told anywhere that Elisha had professional skills at building a building that would bring about this need for his approval, only his spiritual leadership over them.

2. Apparently these sons of the prophets were all in agreement about this building project, but wanted full agreement from their spiritual leader as well. This should teach us that the best building projects are those where the members of a church are all in agreement about it’s need and how to go about it.

3. Also, any building project should be well thought out before anything is done. When it is a large project, outside counsel from those who make this their profession would be wise.

4. Ultimately, we should desire God’s approval upon anything that we do as a church, whether a building project or which missionary to support. God should not be left out of the loop when considering which direction we should take on any project.

1. These men had agreed upon what they needed to do and then they all did their part in seeing it through to it’s completion. Though the text doesn’t say so, there does not appear to have been some who said there was a building expansion needed but when the time came to do the work bowed out for one reason or another.

2. Any project that a church decides to go forward with ought to have the complete support and effort of all in that church. There should not be a vote to do such and such project and then leave it to just a few to see it accomplished. That can breed discontent and animosity toward one’s brothers and sisters in Christ. It is understandable that some may not have skills for certain tasks, or the physical strength for others, but each should do their part in seeing the project through to it’s completion.

4. As we will see, this project required great resolve and risk on the part of each man. Some would need to borrow the needed equipment to see it completed, thus taking on the responsibility of taking care of another’s property. We will look at that in a minute.

All was going well and the work was progressing smoothly. But as is the case with most building projects, problems do arise that need instant attention. Losing an axe head can happen to anyone. I have had several slip off while splitting fire wood. Fortunately I was not near water, nor my head coming in contact with the axe head.

1. Don’t you just have a wonderful day when something you have borrowed from a friend comes up missing or breaks? You borrow their car and it breaks down, or worse, you have an accident. You borrow a power tool to get a job done faster, and it burns out on you. Don’t you just love those times?

2. This wood cutter’s first thought was he was not going to be able to return what he has borrowed, and he didn’t look forward to that confrontation. It is sad that many in this world today, including Christians, ask to borrow someone else’s items and then fail to return them, or return them broken with no offer of replacing it.

3. There is always the danger of something happening to that which we borrow from another. We need to share that which God has given to us, but there is always the risk that the person who borrows it will feel the pinch of replacing it if something happens.

1. You can’t cut a tree down with your bare hands, and we do not have teeth like a beaver’s. This worker needed that axe head so he could finish the work.

2. The text does not make this an issue but the fact is plain. Each man had a tree to cut down to supply for the building project, and now they would be one tree short. I believe this man was desirous of finishing what he had started.

3. I wonder what would cause us to stop in the middle of a project and just give up? If it was good enough to start then it should be good enough to finish. Also, we each need to see to part we have in the project and why it is so important for us to finish.

4. As I said when starting this point, every building project has it’s unseen problems that arise. We should not be blown away when they surface. We ought to call out to God and ask Him for His help in that time of need.

It is these verses that give the story it’s name. Let’s see several things from this miracle before we close the study tonight.

1. There is a nice blending of the divine with the human in this miracle. Could God have told Elisha where exactly the axe head was below the water? Yes, but He didn’t. Elisha needed to ask and to be shown where it had fallen into the water.

2. When we are confronted with difficulties in life or in a building program, we are going to need God’s help but there is often many things that we can do before He steps in and does His part. He may even wait for us to do our part before doing His, otherwise we may never see Him work.

3. Elisha also had to cut the piece of wood that he threw into the water as a symbol of what was going to happen.

4. After God worked the miracle, Elisha told the man to reach out his hand and grab the floating axe head. The man had to do this. Often God does a great work that opens the door for us to step through and continue doing His work.

1. There is no doubt that God was at work here. Iron does not naturally float. Some have surmised that God changed the properties of iron so it would float - but it would not be iron any longer. Some have said that Elisha attached a magnetic stone to the stick which caused the iron to attach itself to the stone with the floating stick. These and other ideas all show that the author of them really does not believe in the miraculous. He certainly did do something to cause the iron to go against all the laws of nature on this earth.

2. God was gracious to this humble man who had a great need. Though his need may seem small to us now, God saw his need and intervened. That should teach us that there is nothing too small to bring to God and ask for His help.

3. There are many times in life when we feel sunk down in the depth of various troubles. We have only to bring it to the Lord and then watch in awe as the “iron swims” once again in our life. Is there something in your life tonight that needs God’s attention so the “iron will swim”?