Some people think the axe, if sharpened, is just as good a weapon as the sword. Well, scripture refers to the Word as a double-edged sword. Never does it refer to God's Word as an axe. However, some following passages came to me:
Battle Axe (Jer. 51:20) "You are my battle axe and weapons of war", God does refer to His own people once in this way. He wants us to be willing to plow into conflict for Him. Of course, this is an unpopular concept in contemporary society.
Borrowed Axe (2 Ki. 6:5) "The axe head fell into the water...Alas, it was borrowed." How much of what we spout are things we've heard from friends or from the pulpit--they're "others’ blessings", not our own discoveries from a thriving relationship with God?
Boastful Axe (Isa. 10:15) "Shall the axe boast itself against him that hews it" It is true God tells us to uphold His principles of justice. But to do so and then to feel I have done something good for which the Creator should feel fortunate to own an instrument like me...well, something is terribly wrong.
Severing Axe (Matt. 3:10) "And now the axe is laid unto the root of...every tree which brings not forth good fruit…and cast into the fire" I didn't say this; God did. Bearing fruit is a precious privilege; fruitlessness may hint Lifelessness. This axe is one God Himself, not man, wields. And it’s His timing, His choice of fruit.
When the Captain of our Salvation sees weary footmen head into the dark forests with their axes to gather timber for fellow warriors’ ease and shade, I think He is pleased.
