What does 2 Kings 7:19 mean?
"And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof." - 2 Kings 7:19
2 Kings 7:19 (KJV) reads: "And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof."
This verse is part of the story in 2 Kings 7, which recounts the dire situation of the people of Samaria, who were under siege by the Arameans. The people were suffering from a severe famine, and things had become so desperate that they were turning to cannibalism to survive. In the midst of this crisis, Elisha the prophet proclaims a miraculous promise from the Lord, that the famine would end and food would be abundantly available in a very short time. The verse in question occurs in the chapter where this promise is fulfilled.
The significance of this verse lies in the context of doubt and disbelief. The "lord" mentioned in the verse is identified as the king's officer, who doubted the prophet's promise that salvation was imminent. This man questioned whether such a thing could ever happen, even if the Lord were to make windows in heaven. He was expressing skepticism and disbelief, which was a reflection of the disbelief and despondency that permeated the people of Samaria. This doubt was a hindrance to their ability to receive the miraculous provision that the Lord had promised.
The response from the man of God, Elisha, was a rebuke for his doubt. Elisha essentially tells the officer that he would indeed see the fulfillment of the promise with his own eyes, but would not personally partake in it. This was a consequence of his doubt and lack of faith.
The theme of faith and doubt is a central one in this passage. The doubt expressed by the king's officer mirrors the doubt and lack of faith that the people of Samaria had been exhibiting throughout the famine. They had stopped believing in the power of God to intervene on their behalf and deliver them from their dire circumstances. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of faith in receiving God's promises and blessings. It also highlights the consequences of doubt and disbelief, as exemplified by the fate of the officer who doubted the prophet's words.
Another theme that is evident in this verse is the theme of divine intervention and miraculous provision. The promise of abundant food in the midst of a severe famine was a miraculous act of provision from the Lord. The imagery of "windows in heaven" is evocative of the idea of God opening up the heavens to pour out blessings upon his people. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and his ability to provide for his people in the most unexpected and extraordinary ways.
This verse also carries a symbolic significance. The officer's doubt and subsequent punishment can be seen as a cautionary tale for the readers of the text. It serves as a warning against doubt and unbelief, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's promises and remaining faithful in the face of adversity. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of doubt, as exemplified by the fate of the officer.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 7:19 from the King James Version offers a powerful message about the importance of faith and the consequences of doubt. It underscores the need for unwavering trust in God's promises, even in the midst of the most desperate circumstances. It also serves as a reminder of God's ability to intervene and provide for his people in miraculous ways. This verse remains a timeless and relevant lesson for believers today, emphasizing the enduring importance of faith and trust in God.
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2 Kings 7:19 - "And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof."
"And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof." - 2 Kings 7:19
2 Kings 19:2
2 Kings 19:2
2 Kings 19:2
1 Kings 7:19 - "And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits."
2 Kings 19:7 - "Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
2 Kings 7:2
2 Kings 12:19 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 3:16-19
2 Kings 16:19 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 19:5 - "So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah."
2 Kings 19:36 - "So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh."
2 Kings 19:13 - "Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?"
1 Kings 19:7 - "And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee."
2 Kings 19:11 - "Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?"
2 Kings 7:11 - "And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within."
2 Kings 7:7 - "Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life."
"And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits." - 1 Kings 7:19
2 Kings 19:2 - "And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz."
2 Kings 19:34 - "For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake."
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
2 Kings 24:19 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done."
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
2 Kings 2:7 - "And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan."
2 Kings 19:33 - "By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD."
2 Kings 11:19 - "And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings."
2 Kings 19:27 - "But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me."
2 Kings 2:19 - "¶ And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren."