2 Kings 13:19

But the man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck the ground five or six times. Then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to it. But now you will strike down Aram only three times."

Study Bible

But the man of God was angry with him
The "man of God" refers to Elisha, a prominent prophet in Israel. His anger reflects a deep disappointment in King Jehoash's lack of faith and understanding. Prophets often served as God's mouthpiece, and their emotions could reflect divine displeasure. Elisha's anger underscores the seriousness of the king's failure to fully grasp the opportunity God was providing. Prophets like Elisha were instrumental in guiding the kings of Israel, often confronting them with their shortcomings.

and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times.
Striking the ground symbolizes an act of faith and determination. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical actions often accompanied prophetic words to symbolize or enact a prophecy. The number of times Jehoash was expected to strike the ground indicates the completeness and thoroughness of victory God intended for Israel over Aram. The number five or six suggests a more complete victory, aligning with biblical numerology where numbers often have symbolic meanings.

Then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to it.
Aram, a neighboring kingdom, was a frequent adversary of Israel. The promise of putting an end to Aram signifies a total victory, which was within reach had Jehoash demonstrated greater faith. This reflects God's willingness to deliver His people completely from their enemies, contingent upon their faith and obedience. Historically, Aram was a significant power, and its defeat would have been a major relief for Israel.

But now you will strike down Aram only three times.”
The limitation to three victories indicates a partial fulfillment of what could have been a complete deliverance. This serves as a lesson on the consequences of half-hearted faith and incomplete obedience. The number three, while often representing completeness in other contexts, here signifies a limited success due to the king's lack of full commitment. This partial victory foreshadows the ongoing struggles Israel would face due to their leaders' failures to fully trust in God's promises.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Elisha
The prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. He is known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the kings of Israel.

2. King Jehoash (Joash) of Israel
The king of Israel during this time, who sought Elisha's counsel regarding the Arameans.

3. Aram (Syria)
A neighboring nation and frequent adversary of Israel during this period.

4. The Arrow Incident
An event where Elisha instructs King Jehoash to strike the ground with arrows as a symbolic act of victory over Aram.

5. The Anger of Elisha
Elisha's response to Jehoash's lack of zeal and faith, which limited Israel's victory over Aram.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Faith and Zeal
Jehoash's half-hearted obedience resulted in limited victory. Our faith and zeal in following God's instructions can determine the extent of our spiritual victories.

Symbolic Acts of Faith
The act of striking the ground was symbolic, yet it required faith. In our lives, God may call us to perform acts that seem insignificant but are crucial in His plan.

Consequences of Limited Faith
Just as Jehoash's limited action led to limited victory, our lack of faith can restrict God's work in our lives. We should strive to act with full confidence in God's promises.

Learning from Spiritual Leaders
Jehoash sought Elisha's counsel, showing the importance of seeking guidance from godly leaders. We should value and heed the wisdom of those who walk closely with God.

God's Desire for Complete Victory
God desires complete victory over our spiritual enemies. We should not settle for partial victories but pursue complete triumph through faith and obedience.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jehoash's response to Elisha's instruction reflect his faith, and what can we learn from this about our own responses to God's guidance?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our actions reflect complete trust in God's promises, rather than half-hearted obedience?

3. How can we apply the lesson of symbolic acts of faith in our daily walk with God?

4. What are some areas in our lives where we might be limiting God's work due to a lack of faith or zeal?

5. How can we better seek and apply the wisdom of spiritual leaders in our lives, as Jehoash did with Elisha?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Kings 4:1-7
The widow's oil miracle, where Elisha instructs the widow to gather vessels, and her faith determines the extent of the miracle. This parallels Jehoash's limited faith and action.

Psalm 78:41
This verse speaks of limiting the Holy One of Israel, which connects to Jehoash's limited faith and action in striking the ground only three times.

Hebrews 11:6
Emphasizes the necessity of faith to please God, highlighting the importance of wholehearted trust and action in God's promises.