2Ki 7:16 | KingComments | STEP | After the message of the enemy’s run, the people flew out of town to take the spoil. The word which the LORD had spoken in was fulfilled. The following verses are also a fulfillment of what was announced earlier. The people could fully satisfy their hunger. However, we do not read a word of gratitude to the LORD and Elisha, as we saw in Naaman. Do we thank the Lord for our salvation? We should start with that every day and not just enjoy the consequences as if all this were self-evident. The royal officer on whom the king leaned, came to his end, as Elisha said; a terrible fulfillment for him according to God’s word. The king charged him to supervise at the gate. The man was standing in the gate, seeing everything the people were going to enjoy, but he was not given a part in it. Thus the Lord Jesus spoke of people who see others in the bosom of Abraham, but are cast out themselves. There is a seeing that is abhorrent, like the man in the realm of the dead when he sees Lazarus in the distance ( ). Because this event is intended to make a deep impression on us, these verses refer in detail to the reason for the judgment. Almost literally, we are told again what is written at the beginning of this chapter about what Elisha has said and the reaction of the royal officer. In this section it is told twice. In total, the new price of food is stated three times, also that the officer dies as the man of God has spoken and all was fulfilled according to the word the LORD.. God’s judgment is thus doubly underlined, as it were. Again and again this section refers to what the LORD has said and points out that His Word is actually and literally fulfilled. God forgets nothing of what mockers have said. They are reminded of it. It all happened, as it was said. The man has no excuse, because God maintains His Word. This royal officer is a penetrating, warning example for young people growing up in an environment where, from an early age, they are acquainted with the truth and promises of God. Young people can see a lot of the glorious truths of God’s Word and yet stay outside of it, because there is no faith, yes, they can even be mockers. They have been enlightened, but end in eternal darkness (cf. ). They have been so close to it, they have tasted everything, but never had an inner part in it through faith. They ‘see’, that is, they know of the virgin birth, but do not believe. They know about the cross and the resurrection, but they do not believe it. The warning is: “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking” ( ).

‏ 2 Kings 7:16

The Word of the LORD Fulfilled

After the message of the enemy’s run, the people flew out of town to take the spoil. The word which the LORD had spoken in 2Kgs 7:1 was fulfilled. The following verses are also a fulfillment of what was announced earlier. The people could fully satisfy their hunger. However, we do not read a word of gratitude to the LORD and Elisha, as we saw in Naaman. Do we thank the Lord for our salvation? We should start with that every day and not just enjoy the consequences as if all this were self-evident.

The royal officer on whom the king leaned, came to his end, as Elisha said; a terrible fulfillment for him according to God’s word. The king charged him to supervise at the gate. The man was standing in the gate, seeing everything the people were going to enjoy, but he was not given a part in it. Thus the Lord Jesus spoke of people who see others in the bosom of Abraham, but are cast out themselves. There is a seeing that is abhorrent, like the man in the realm of the dead when he sees Lazarus in the distance (Lk 16:23).

Because this event is intended to make a deep impression on us, these verses refer in detail to the reason for the judgment. Almost literally, we are told again what is written at the beginning of this chapter about what Elisha has said and the reaction of the royal officer. In this section it is told twice. In total, the new price of food is stated three times, also that the officer dies as the man of God has spoken and all was fulfilled according to the word the LORD..

God’s judgment is thus doubly underlined, as it were. Again and again this section refers to what the LORD has said and points out that His Word is actually and literally fulfilled. God forgets nothing of what mockers have said. They are reminded of it. It all happened, as it was said. The man has no excuse, because God maintains His Word.

This royal officer is a penetrating, warning example for young people growing up in an environment where, from an early age, they are acquainted with the truth and promises of God. Young people can see a lot of the glorious truths of God’s Word and yet stay outside of it, because there is no faith, yes, they can even be mockers. They have been enlightened, but end in eternal darkness (cf. Heb 6:4-6). They have been so close to it, they have tasted everything, but never had an inner part in it through faith. They ‘see’, that is, they know of the virgin birth, but do not believe. They know about the cross and the resurrection, but they do not believe it. The warning is: “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking” (Heb 12:25a).