2 Kings 7:2
French S21 2007 (Bible Segond 21)
L'officier chargé de soutenir le roi répondit à l'homme de Dieu: «Même si l'Eternel faisait des fenêtres au ciel, une telle chose ne pourrait pas se produire!» Elisée dit: «Tu le verras de tes yeux, mais tu n'en mangeras pas.»
What Does This Mean?
In 2 Kings 7:2, a lord who is close to the king talks to a man of God. The lord doubts that God can perform such a miracle. The man of God responds by saying that the lord will see the miracle happen but will not benefit from it.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a really tough math problem. Your friend says, 'If only the sky could open up and give us the answer!' But then your teacher says, 'You'll see the answer, but you won't get to enjoy the reward for solving it.' That's what's happening here, but with food instead of math.
Historical Background
2 Kings was written by multiple authors around the 6th century BCE. The audience would have been Israelites living in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The book chronicles the history of these kingdoms and their interactions with neighboring nations, including the Assyrians and Babylonians.
Living It Out Today
This verse can remind us that sometimes we doubt God's ability to provide or solve problems. A modern scenario might be doubting that God can help you find a job or solve a family issue, only to see the answer appear but not be able to fully enjoy it due to your own lack of faith or action.
Topics
doubtmiraclesprophetsfaithconsequencesdivine intervention
Related Verses
Exodus 16:1-36Ezekiel 14:12-23Matthew 13:54-58Mark 6:1-61 Corinthians 10:1-13
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof'?
It means that the lord will witness the miracle but will not be able to partake in its benefits due to his disbelief or lack of faith.
Why does the lord express doubt about God's ability to perform this miracle?
The lord's doubt likely stems from the severity of the situation and the magnitude of the miracle needed to resolve it, reflecting human skepticism in the face of seemingly impossible situations.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of 2 Kings?
This verse is part of a narrative about a famine and the miraculous resolution to it, illustrating themes of divine intervention and the consequences of faith or lack thereof.
Can you give an example of a similar situation in the New Testament?
The Gospel of Mark, chapter 6, tells of Jesus not performing many miracles in his hometown because of the lack of faith, which is similar to the situation described in 2 Kings 7:2.