Bible Commentaries

2 Kings 7:9

I. Where shall we work? In this aspect the will, acting often under the spur of vanity, plays strange tricks, encouraging persons to seek showy work, such as will bring them before the world's eyes, rather than keeping on the path that Scripture and natural duty mark out. In these days of committees, meetings, and platform addresses, when earnest people are distracted by appeals to them to take part in all manner of well-meant movements, we need to be reminded that our first duty as workers for God is towards those with whom we live in a family or in daily business relations. Looking first at home, a man will have family worship; he will see that his children are taught to pray and instructed in the Bible.

II. In our work we must beware lest energy become self-importance and fussiness, lest hope become over-confidence. Above all, we must not forget that we at present are of the earth, earthy, and that we are all learners. It is "God that giveth the increase."

III. But we pass from humility to hope, for in this work, as St. Paul says, "we are labourers together with God." It is God that worketh with us. Consider the dignity of such a partnership of toil. It makes success certain and failure impossible, even where appearances are disappointing.

IV. Let the worker be cheerful and not easily cast down Noble is our call to work; gracious is our service. To serve our Master is freedom; to obey Him is to round our being and complete ourselves. Let the world take knowledge of us that "we have been with Jesus."

F. Case, Short Practical Sermons, p. 21.

References: 2 Kings 7:9.—F. Tucker, Christian World Pulpit, vol. i., p. 508; S. Baring-Gould, Village Preaching for a Year, 2nd series, vol. i., p. 34. 2 Kings 7:10-20.—A. Edersheim, Elisha the Prophet, p. 253. 2 Kings 7:19.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. i., No. 3. 2Ki 7.—T. Guthrie, Sunday Magazine, 1873, p. 577. 2 Kings 8:1-5.—Parker; vol. viii., p. 186. 2 Kings 8:1-6.—A. Edersheim, Elisha the Prophet, p. 264. 2 Kings 8:5.—Homiletic Magazine, vol. x., p. 14.