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“Why don’t we see miracles today like they experienced in the times of Elisha and Jesus? John Piper answered that by saying, “There were fewer miracles in the Bible than you probably think, and more miracles today than you probably know.” 2 Perhaps, in our modern, advanced society miracles are more subtle and under the radar, though that’s not always true. Also, reports of dramatic miracles tend to come in from extremely unreached parts of the world to gain attention and set the stage for a movement of God. Such divine intervention made a tremendous impact in Elisha’s day. We dare not end this chapter without exploring this historical event from an allegorical standpoint, examining its spiritual representations. Describing the humiliating times he was experiencing, Job said, “They abhor me and stand aloof from me, And they do not refrain from spitting in my face, Because He has loosed His bowstring and afflicted me, They have cast off the bridle beforeme” (Job 30:10,11, emphasis added). Job is speaking symbolically when saying God has loosened his bowstring. Literally speaking, this would make shooting an arrow much more difficult. Spiritually, Job is saying that his spiritual strength was zapped and his standing in the community had disappeared. By casting off the bridle, people around him are saying and doing things in a way they would not have done before he fell on hard times. Likewise, whether God has orchestrated our circumstances or we’ve created our own crises, we’re “chopping trees” with headless ax handles and wondering why no progress is being made. We’re attempting to minister in the flesh, wondering why God isn’t blessing. And, even if we’re fortunate enough to have an ax head still on the handle, it’s gotten so dull we are barely making an impact. Which brings to mind the story of Bob, who challenged his friend Bill to an all-day wood chopping contest. Bob worked extremely hard, stopping only for a

2 www.desiringgod.org.

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