~ A Man of God: Interactions With
Saints ~
The Book of 2
Kings provides three differing views in three successive chapters regarding
Elisha—a “man of God”—and his relationships with others.
In Chapter 4 we see Elisha’s
interaction with the Savior.
In Chapter 5 we see Elisha’s interaction
with the sinners.
In Chapter 6 we see Elisha’s interaction
with the saints.
Elisha Was A “Man of God”
~ Like
Chapters 4 & 5 there are clear statements that Elisha was a “man of God” (2
Kings 6:6, 9, 10, 15).
Elisha’s Interaction With the Sons of
the Prophets ~
“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” (2 Kings 6:1-7). In this
third successive chapter we see the power of God continuing to be manifested
through this “man of God.”
observations ~ First, the ax head may be a type (or
symbolic) of our testimonies—our cutting edge.
Second, notice that he realized it was lost (6:5). Third, a key step in recovering is realizing
where the sinking occurred and going back to that point for confession and
recovery (6:6).
Finally, recognize
that God usually does the unexpected as He rewards the faith of His
children. A couple of examples from just a little earlier
in Scripture include God sending ravens to feed the starving prophet Elijah (1
Kings 17:1-7) and the account of the poor widow’s bin of flour and jar of oil
holding out (1 Kings 17:8-16).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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