2 Kings 6:1-7 - Providential Working through Miracles

2 Kings 6:1-7
1 Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now, the place before you where we are living is too limited for us. 2 Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live.” So he said, “Go.” 3 Then one said, “Please be willing to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I shall go.” 4 So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. 7 He said, “Take it up for yourself.” So he put out his hand and took it.

Message: Providential Working through Miracles

Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. The time ranges from 853 BC to 586 BC. World affairs is the subject in light of Israel and Judah. None of Israel kings did right in God's eyes. Several of Judah's kings were righteous.

What the Lord is Saying:

This study I have been doing of God's sovereignty has focused on the idea that God is active. He is present in this life and working all the time. He is not simply in and out of our lives, but is active in everything. It is a good reminder to realize that He is there and He is not silent. We continue to live and breath on this earth because of Him. He sustains life. He is over all. His grace is common to all mankind, whether they acknowledge Him or not. He governs the big things, like the dynasties of nations and empires, but then is also in the small things. Nothing occurs by chance or whim. Flips of a coin and casting lots both have purposes. He works through people's lives. People are who they are and are trained often the way they are for a bigger purpose. He works through their skills, talents, personalities to govern all activity.

But God also has suspended certain natural laws in order to carry out a miracle. I was speaking to someone recently, an atheist, and he said he was fine with everything Jesus did, but not the miracle part. He wasn't willing to accept all of Jesus and rejected anything he felt was outlandish. God used miracles to grant special revelation of Himself to people; he worked through prophets and Apostles in carrying out miracles, but since those types of individuals are not present today - it is believed that miracles of that sort do not occur today.

2 Kings 6:1-7 records the miracle of the floating iron ax-head. It is an interesting miracle for it recovers an object simply that appeared to have been lost after cutting down a tree.

Most of the other miracles in the Bible have a very specific purpose and reveal much about our God and Lord and his providence toward people.

Promise: God can direct His creation to do whatever He desires. He can heal the sick, change hearts, and do other things that we pray for. We can be confident in His ability to do things extra-ordinary.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing all mankind that you do things in an amazing way. Lord, I pray that people would trust You and realize that You can do more than we comprehend. Keep us focused on You and trusting in You to impact lives.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with March being about the sovereign providence of God and looking at how the Bible reveals His control over all things.