Sometimes it's the Little Things

After finishing the Book of Revelation, I am traveling back in the Bible into the Old Testament. I am following a prescribed study of the Bible for my ordination. So, even though it seems I am jumping around, I am following a plan assigned to me for learning scripture!

Today I read through chapters 4-6 in 2 Kings. The stories of Elisha (not to be confused with his predecessor Elijah) are filled with wonderful miracles. Elisha helps a poor widow get out of financial debt by miraculously producing Olive Oil. (2 Kings 4:1-7) Through the Lord, he grants an old woman a son, then brings that son back to life in 2 Kings 4:8-36. Elisha feeds a hundred people like Jesus dividing the loaves and fishes. (2 Kings 4:38-44) In chapter 5 he miraculously heals Naaman of Leprosy, and then strikes a man with leprosy because of greed. But, my favorite story is a strange one and it seems so out of place. Scholars have wondered why this story has any significance at all. It is just plopped into 2 Kings chapter 6:

"One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, 'As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too small. Let's go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet.' 

'All right,' he told them, 'go ahead.' 

'Please come with us,' someone suggested. '

I will,' he said. 

So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees. But as one of them was cutting a tree, the ax head fell into the river. 'Oh sir!' he cried.'It was a borrowed ax!'

'Where did it fall?' the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface. 'Grab it,' Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it." (2 Kings 6:1-7)

I have read so many commentaries about WHY this story has any significance. Some tie it to Christ, his baptism in the Jordan River, and paying the price for our debts. Others believe this can be tied to the story of Naaman. Before the details of Elisha's miracles, the King asks about the great things Elisha has done. These miracles are summarized and then follow the details. 

So asking my typical questions, "What does this story tell us about God? What does the story teach us about ourselves? AND, How do we apply this to our lives?

In Psalm 37:21 may give some guidance:

"The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers." (Psalm 37:21)

Sometimes we treat debt and borrowing as minor details. But, God really cares about the character of his people, especially his leaders. If this axe head is lost, the prophet who borrowed it would not represent the faith well. It would be a scar on his character and a blemish on the faith. God, through Elisha, helps this spiritual leader fulfill his obligation to repay this borrowed debt. 

God cares about the details, even the little details, of our lives. He cares about our character, even the little blemishes. And we need to do the same. How seriously do we take our character and how we represent ourselves in public? Can people see Jesus in us? Are they curious to say, "Why are they so different than the rest of the world?" 

Maybe, the application of this story is to make sure we take care of the little things. Maybe we should turn to the Lord to clean up our character flaws and weaknesses. Maybe we should care more about what people think and how we represent ourselves in our community, or on social media?

Please Lord, help us!