Newsletter October 2023 Part 1
Extending the house
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 axe 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)
Elisha was a great man of God. He had served under Elijah, the great prophet who had challenged the priests of Baal and thus turned the hearts of the people of Israel back to God (1 Kings 18). Then the day came when Elijah was taken up into heaven and Elisha had to take his place as prophet to God's people. From now on he had to lead others and teach them the things of God. As Elisha ministered under the anointing of God, his following grew. More and more young men joined the group, until there was no longer enough room to house them. So the sons of the prophets, as they were known, approached their leader with a plan. They recognised the need, they had a vision to meet that need, and they devised a strategy to accomplish the task.
At this point many leaders would have got worried. They would have interpreted this enthusiasm and initiative as a challenge of their leadership. Not so Elijah. His answer was brief, and maybe somewhat unexpected: "Go." He understood that leading people is about developing people, and what better way is there to help a person to develop the gifts God has given them than by allowing them to do what God has laid on their heart?
So here they were: they had a plan and had just received the okay to carry it out. What more was there to discuss? Why wait any longer? They were free to go. Yet these trainee prophets ask Elisha to go with them. They don't want to go without their leader. They have a plan and they have the means to carry it out, but they want to remain accountable. And Elisha consents. Together they go to the river bank to chop trees.
As they are working, an accident happens. One of the axes broke and the axe head fell into the water and sank. Moreover, this axe did not even belong to the one who was using it; he had borrowed it for the job, and now that it was lost he would have to replace it! What would he do?
The men were working as a team. Surely Elijah could have called them together to go into the water and search the riverbed until they found the missing axe head. Surely together they could have solved the problem and, besides, it would have been an excellent teambuilding exercise. But Elisha has a different solution: he throws a stick into the water and, miraculously the axe head rises to the surface and floats. All they need to do is reach out to pick it up. Thus Elisha taught them with one miracle that the God they served was far greater than their combined effort could ever be.
We too need to remember that God is bigger than anything we can do. God wants unity in His church. He wants us to work together, to help one another, and to be accountable to one another. But God wants more than that: He wants the unity that comes from His Spirit. He is above all, and through all, and in us all (Ephesians 4:3-6).
God is looking for people who will answer His call and take up the challenge to become the next generation of leaders. He is looking for people who recognise the needs within His body, people who have a vision to meet those needs and will work together to meet those needs, people who will be accountable to their leaders, and, ultimately, who will not depend just on their own ability, but on His incomparable power.
Are you such a person?
Pastor Konrad