In Second Kings, chapter six, verse five, the story of the lost axe head illustrates God’s interest and care in what might appear to be an insignificant matter. An iron axe head at the time was an expensive tool, and this poor man felt keenly responsible for the borrowed equipment. The miracle served to communicate God’s heart of compassion for the man in his predicament, demonstrate the power of God at work through the prophet to confirm Elisha’s authority and ministry and increase the faith of the younger prophets with Elisha.
When the whole society was to turn wood-cutters, it was not likely that axes would be for everyone. This man had borrowed his and was, as a good man would be, more troubled about its loss than if it had been his own. The iron fell from the wood. He was the more concerned, both because he was now idle and useless to them in working and because it was his friend’s loss, who was now likely to suffer for his kindness in lending him the axe. Justice obliged him to restore it, but his poverty rendered him unable.
In Deuteronomy nineteen, verse five, Hebrews made their axe-heads of iron as early as in Moses’ days. They probably learned to smelt and work iron in Egypt. When the iron axe head fell into the water, the tree must have been one that grew close to the river’s edge. As the man hewed away at the stem a little above the root, the tool flew from the haft, into which it did not fit securely. The slipping of an axe head was a common occurrence and ordinarily had little consequence since the iron axe head could secure back to its place. But now the head had disappeared.
Today, the lost axe head reminds us how we can make mistakes with others, especially in conflict, where we can surely restore peace by an effort to do it. The decision lies with us.