IF THE IRON BE BLUNT

IF THE IRON BE BURNT

(Ecclesiastes 10:10)

Before we proceed, I would like us to consider our Bible text from different translations:

“If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength…” (KJV)

“If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength…” (ESV)

“The duller the axe, the harder the work” (The Message)

“If the axe is dull and the man does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength…” (Amplified Bible)

“Since a dull axe requires great strength, sharpen the blade…” (TNLT)

"If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed…" (NIV)

In this context, we will replace the word IRON’ with AXE. An axe can literally be described as a tool used for cutting down trees or putting woods asunder as described in 2corinthians10:4-5. Our axe is our weapon of spiritual warfare.

2corinthians 10:4-5

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought  to the obedience of Christ’’.

When an axe is left unused…

When an axe is left unused, it is inevitable for such axe to get rusty over time. This takes us to the parable of the servant in Matthew 25:24-26; he had a talent and out of foolishness, he went to hide it forgetting that keeping a seed on a roof would not make it bear fruit, unless it is planted. He became fruitless and his lord punished him greatly. Same fate and predicament awaits every believer that has despised the call to God’s service, their axes are rusting away. And a rust axe would bring nothing but fruitlessness and wasted efforts to its wielder.

When an axe is used continuously...

This is what God expects us to do; but then, when an axe is used consistently; it is liable to go blunt over time. This is where wisdom comes in; “Wisdom is profitable to direct.” – Ecclesiastes 10:10b. Wisdom here is your initiative to keep your axe sharpened after every use. Our axe head can only be sharpened by our Blacksmith. Our Blacksmith is the VINE while we are the BRANCHES. Our Blacksmith is the one who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9). We can reach Him in prayer and He will commune with us through His Word.

How do I know My Axe is Blunt?

Many “great” men of God have been trying to bring down strongholds with blunt axes which have resulted in them making use of more of their strength than God’s empowerment. They then get to discover that their strength is never and will never enough – (1Samuel 2:9b). They wrestle with things that are meant to be trampled upon by God. They forgot that waiting on the Lord (in the place of prayer) is a big part of remaining a force to be reckoned with.

“Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall run and shall not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” – Isaiah 40:31

May the Lord attend to us and strengthen our weak knees. Amen!