GIMP Version: 2.8.4
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level

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Hello!
I need help...
I try make a collage in GIMP. One piece I made of two and then merged them, so now they are one layer (say layer 1 and layer 2 became one layer - 3). I opened as layer another image I want to have in the collage (say layer 4) and want to scale it. But the scale tool opens on the added part of the previous layer, what used to be layer 1! The one that doesn't even exist as a layer anymore, bc I merged it with layer 2 and it's one layer 3 now! I am standing on layer 4 when I try to use the scale tool, the layer 4 is active. Why is that and what can I do to fix it and move on working with the layer 4?
Thank you for any advise!

Have you tried, Layer | Scale Layer?

Is there a selection present when you try to scale your layer? (Merging layers does not affect the selection.)

Make sure the layer you want to scale is the one selected in the Layers list.

Pro tip(*): don't merge your layers... it's easy to merge layers, but it's very difficult to un-merge them. All the transform tools (scale/move/rotate/flip/shear/perspective)... can be applied to several layers at the same time if you "chain" them. In the few cases where you really need to merge layers, don't merge them but use "Layer/New from visible", this gives you a new layer with all the visible layers merged, but the individual layers are still available if needed.

(*) Sort of, I'm not a pro...

Well, it does work now and I don't know why it works now and was not working then. I use GIMP by tries and errors, bc I have no patients to really read the instructions. Sometimes people like you give me answers I cannot figure out on my own, and I THANK YOU ALL very much!

I agree with Ofnuts here.