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Why Is That in the Bible?
Have you ever started reading the Bible and found something that made you think, Huh, that was unexpected? Maybe it was a plague, talking animals, or seemingly random tent-building instructions. The kind of strange Bible story that makes us ask questions like, “What is going on here? What does this have to do with my life?”
Yes, the Bible is life-giving, full of wisdom, and helps us get to know God, but it’s okay to admit that it’s also strange sometimes.
When we read weird stories, it’s essential to remember that the Bible is a collection of ancient books, written by ancient people, to an ancient audience. These biblical authors were just as intelligent as we are, but had a completely different conceptual and cultural worldview, so we should expect some stories that sound strange to us.
One of those intriguing moments is related in 2 Kings 6:1-7, when a borrowed iron ax-head sinks in the Jordan River. A prophet named Elisha throws a stick in the water, and the ax-head floats.
Compared to most biblical miracles, this one seems small and oddly specific. But maybe that’s the point.
To an ancient reader, this would be a strange story, but not so much because of the miracle itself. A story about a miracle would’ve been fairly normal. But who the miracle was for? Now that’d be weird. Why? Because, to ancient readers, the “gods” cared about powerful people with big problems, not ordinary people with ordinary problems.
But this story insists that God’s care is not limited to powerful people or major events. He saw the stress of one person who lost a borrowed tool and chose to help.
Sometimes Christians can fall into the trap of turning stories like this into a test of whether someone takes the Bible “seriously enough,” which can distract us from the truth the story is meant to communicate.
Instead of getting stuck on how the miracle worked, we can ask what it tells us about God. Here, it’s simple: He sees what matters to us, even the little things.
Big Idea: Even small, strange miracles reveal God’s personal care for His people.
Challenge: The next time you find a strange or confusing passage, instead of skipping it, write down one question you have about it. Pray and ask God to help you understand, and keep reading.
About this Plan
The Bible is full of wisdom, but some parts are just plain strange. Talking animals, floating ax-heads, skeleton armies, and violence can leave us wondering what to do with them. This 3-day Plan helps you read weird Bible stories with curiosity and confidence while discovering what they reveal about God’s heart and His care for people.
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