Lesson 23 - The Borrowed Axe Head Floats
Read 2 Kings 6:1-7 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2KI.6.ESV
2 Kings 6:5 - But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out - Alas, my master! It was borrowed.

The group of young prophets came to Elisha one day and said, “The place where we are living while we learn from you is getting too small for all of us. Would it be all right for each of us to go down to the river and get a log to build a larger place?”

Elisha answered, “Of course, go ahead.”

One of the prophets invited Elisha, “Please come along with us!”

Elisha responded, “I will be glad to come.”

They walked to the river and began cutting down trees. One man’s axe head came off the axe handle, falling into the river and sinking.

“Oh no, Master!” the man cried. “It was borrowed!”

Elisha asked, “Where did it sink?”

The man showed him. Elisha cut off a small branch and threw it into the water where the axe head sank. God caused the iron axe head to float to the surface of the river. The young prophet stood there with his mouth open; he could not believe the heavy iron axe head was actually floating!

Elisha said, “Grab it!” Then he reached out and retrieved the borrowed axe head.


*In the work God has given you, how do you involve your spiritual leaders? What difference does this make?
*What do these verses teach you about loving your neighbor?
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 – If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.
Matthew 5:42 - Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Proverbs 24:29 – Do not say – I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.
 Matthew 7:12 – So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.