Scripture: 2 Kings 6

¹And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us. ²Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell.”

So he answered, “Go.”

³Then one said, “Please consent to go with your servants.”

And he answered, “I will go.” ⁴So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. ⁵But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.”

⁶So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. ⁷Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So he reached out his hand and took it.

Chase the Lion – Lessons from Nipsey Hussle

The question is often asked of me, "what is the significance of the floating axe head?"

The fact is, this sign or miracle is God breathed in all its elements because God wants us to consider it as a token or signification of something far more important than literal iron floating on water. In other words God has a history of using things to accomplish a task or greater agenda. God used a rock to kill Goliath. God used a water to destroy the Egyptians. God used a pool of water to heal people. God used a jail cell to show his mighty power. God used praise to confuse our enemies. Dear brothers and sisters we need to understand and keep in mind that our God can use anything and anybody to accomplish a task here on earth. That’s one of the lessons from the life of Nipsey Hussle, is this man life was used to impact the earth.

Nipsey was many things to his community!!

Point 1 Nipsey teaches us that we are on borrowed time

Here in this verse one of the prophets was swinging the axe, the axe head slipped off of the stick handle. But this wasn’t a strange encounter, as they would sometimes slip off in those days. But the problem this time was that the iron axehead was lost as it sank to the bottom of the Jordan river. This man was tripping as what was given to him was now lost. This prophet was acutely aware that borrowed items should be used with care so that once the task is completed, it can be returned unbroken to its rightful owner. You see dear brothers and sisters God has allotted each of us an amount of time because we have to give an account for how we use our time. 

Point 2 Nipsey teaches us that we can live up to our name

The name "Elisha means" [God is Savior] and is from the Hebrew elements [el] meaning "God" and [yasha] meaning "help" or Savior. The title "God is Savior" is very appropriate for the miracles Elisha does, since Elisha is a type of Christ and his miracles are to signify some particular aspect of the gospel message of salvation.

According to Asghedom, Nipsey's real name is Eritrean, and Eritrea is the East African nation where Hussle's dad was born. During Nipsey's funeral, it was mentioned that his real name, "Ermias," means "God will rise."

God wants you to live up to your name. He wants you to rise above all of your situations and anything that trying to hold you back. I don’t know what your name means but I do know you have the skills and talents to live up to it.

Point 3 Nipsey teaches us that we can do all things through Christ

Elisha does something strategic and extremely important. Elisha tells the man I will help you and together we can be successful.

The reason I say nipsey teaches us this is because I don’t know if Nipsey was a Christian and I don’t know if he accepted Jesus Christ. But if I had the opportunity I would have given him the opportunity to dedicate his life to Christ. Dear brothers and sisters the word is true that we must confess Jesus as Lord. You can do more with Christ than on your own.