Walking With Christ

2 Kings 6:6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float.(ESV)

The bible is just full of stories that display God’s mercy. God’s mercy toward Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), God’s mercy towards Cain (Genesis 4:13-15), Noah and the ark (Genesis 6–9), Abraham’s intercession for Sodom (Genesis 18:16-35), God’s Mercy Toward Israel in the Wilderness (Exodus 32; Numbers 14), Rahab’s salvation in Jericho (Joshua 2; 6:22-25), David’s mercy after sin (2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51), Jonah and Nineveh (Jonah 3–4), the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus’ mercy on the cross (Luke 23:34), the conversion of Paul (Acts 9), God’s mercy in salvation (Ephesians 2:4-5), the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43), Peter’s restoration after denial (John 21:15-19), and so many more.

This peculiar miracle we see in 2 Kings shows His mercy in ways that other miracles and examples of mercy simply don’t.

Mercy in Everyday Needs:
God, through Elisha, responded to the distress of the man who had lost the borrowed axe head. This act demonstrates that God is attentive to the small, personal troubles of His people. Losing a borrowed tool might seem trivial compared to other biblical miracles, yet God showed compassion and provided a solution. This act of mercy shows that God is willing to intervene in everyday challenges. He understands our concerns and cares about the details of our lives, even those we might consider unimportant to Him.

Mercy in Financial Concerns:
The man’s distress over the lost axe head was partly because it was borrowed, meaning he would likely need to pay for it or replace it, which could have been financially burdensome. Iron was valuable and expensive at the time, so replacing it would have been costly. By retrieving the axe head, God spared the man from financial hardship. This act illustrates that God’s mercy often provides material relief when it’s needed, sparing His people from burdens they can’t bear on their own.

Mercy in Using Simple Means:
Elisha’s miracle, making iron float by throwing in a stick, shows God’s mercy in using simple means to achieve what is otherwise impossible. This miracle required no elaborate ritual or grand display—just a simple act of obedience and faith. The simplicity of this act reminds us that God’s mercy doesn’t always come in dramatic forms; sometimes, it appears in simple, practical solutions that meet immediate needs.

Mercy and Faithfulness in Teaching:
Elisha’s response is also a teaching moment for those who were with him. The prophets in training would have witnessed God’s mercy and faithfulness firsthand, learning that God is compassionate even in minor troubles. This event would have increased their faith and taught them to trust that God is present in every aspect of their lives. It’s a subtle lesson in God’s faithfulness and an example of how He cares for His people, even in situations that seem minor to others.

A Picture of Restoration:
The floating of the axe head can symbolize restoration—God restores what was lost and makes it whole again. This can be a broader metaphor for God’s mercy in restoring lost hope, joy, or faith. Just as He caused the iron to rise, God’s mercy lifts us out of difficult situations and restores what seems irretrievably lost.

This minor miracle has so much to offer for Christians wanting to see the nature of God. This also gives a great example of the minor miracles taking place all around us on a daily basis. Many of us are unaware of the amount of work God puts into each of our lives every day. Becoming more sensitive the God and movements of the Holy Spirit can make some of these miracles more obvious, but I can still guarantee that none of us will know the true extent of His plans and daily work in our lives until the day of judgement arrives and we know as we are known.