|
One day, the sons of the prophets
came to Elisha, and said, "The place where we live is too little for
us; we want more room. Let us go now to Jordan, and cut down wood,
and make a place there where we may dwell." Elisha answered,
"Yes, go." Then one of them said, "Come with
us;" so Elisha arose and went with them to Jordan. These good
people all loved one another very much. The sons of the prophets
honored Elisha as their master and teacher, and he loved and took care of
them as his children and disciples. How pleasant it is to live in
love one with another! All God's people ought to live so, for it is
the command of Christ. The people of the world fight and quarrel
with one another, because Satan is their master, and he teaches them to be
as himself, full of anger, and hatred and jealousy. But the people
of God must not be like them. Their master, Jesus Christ, was meek,
and gentle, and kind, and forgiving; and He tells His servants to be so
too. He says, "By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35. Elisha
and the sons of the prophets went to Jordan. There were a great many
of them. God had multiplied them very much. He can take care
of His people, and make them increase, even when their enemies try to
persecute and destroy them. The sons of the prophets were poor; but
they were very happy, because God's love and blessing rested upon
them. When they came to Jordan, they all began to cut down
wood. Not one was idle; for they knew how wrong it is to be
idle. The Bible tells us not to be slothful; but to do what we have
to do, with all our might, and strength, and power. While the sons
of the prophets were cutting down the wood near the river, an accident
happened. The iron head of the axe of one of the men fell into the
water, and sank to the bottom. The poor man ran to Elisha, and
cried, "Alas, master, for it was borrowed." The man was
right to be sorry. This showed that he was not selfish; he did not
say, "The axe is not mine, and I do not care for my friend's
loss." No; he knew that it is right to take great care of the
things which belong to other people, and to return them honestly and
thankfully. "The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again;"
but good people always return what is lent to them. Did
Elisha help the poor man? Did he give him a new axe, or money to buy
one? No; Elisha was poor also; he had no new axe, and no money to
give. What could be done? Elisha asked the man where the
axe-head had fallen. The man showed him the place, and then Elisha
cut down a stick, and threw it in there. And what happened?
The heavy iron, which had sunk to the bottom of the river, now rose to the
top, and swam upon the water like wood. Then Elisha said, "Take
it up;" and the man put out his hand, and took it. The axe was
soon mended, and then the poor man could begin his work again. How
pleased and thankful he was! But
what made the heavy iron swim? Had the stick power to make the iron
axe-head rise to the top of the water? No; it was not the stick, it
was God's power that did the miracle. God, who made the iron and the
water too, could do as He pleased with both; and, when He commanded, the
iron swam like wood. We cannot tell how this was; but we know that
God can do all things; nothing is too hard for Him. And how kind God
was to the poor man! He knew his sorrow, and commanded Elisha to
help him, and worked this wonderful miracle to comfort him in his
trouble. God's eye sees all our sorrows. When we are unhappy,
God knows it; and, if we are His people, He will comfort us in our
troubles—great troubles, and little troubles too. He knows them
all; and He feels for us in them all. What a kind God and Father we
have in Heaven! Let us try to love and trust in Him more and more.
|
