2 Kings 10 … Consider What His Word Will Never Do

Originally posted: 3/11/2020

“Know then that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the Lord, which the Lord spoke concerning the house of Ahab, for the Lord has done what He spoke through His servant Elijah,” (10:10).

Some versions of Scripture translate this verse describing this reality of His Word as His Word will not fail.

“Know, then, that not a word the LORD has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail…” (10:10 NIV).
“Know, then, that not a word the LORD spoke against the house of Ahab will fail…” (10:10 CSB, HCSB).
“You can be sure that the message of the LORD that was spoken concerning Ahab’s family will not fail…” (10:10 NLT).

And we know in fact this is true. For He Himself declared that His Word will not fail but will always accomplish His intended purpose.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
¹¹ So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it,” (Isaiah 55:11).

This translation describing His Word as unfailing in 2 Kings 10:10 is an accurate interpretation; in other words, His Word will always prove successful. But the Hebrew language seems to convey a bit more.

1. 5307. נָפַלnāp̱al: “A verb meaning to fall, to lie, to prostrate oneself, to overthrow. This common Hebrew verb carries many possible variations in meaning, much like the English verb to fall. For instance, it can be used literally of someone or something falling down… It is used idiomatically for a violent death, especially in battle… and for the overthrow of a city…The word also describes those who fall prostrate before God or those in authority… It is used to express the idea of being bedridden or debilitated…” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

And perhaps, like me, after a look into the original language, you have come away with additional contemplations of what His Word Will Never Do.

Consider What His Word Will Never Do

• נָפַל nāp̱al: A verb meaning to fall: His Word Will Never Fall Down; His Word Stands Forever.
  • The grass withers, the flower fades,
    But the word of our God stands forever, (Isaiah 40:8)

• נָפַל nāp̱al: A verb meaning to lie: His Word Will Never Lie Down; His Word is Awake to Watch Over His Own.
  • My son, observe the commandment of your father
    And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
    ²¹ Bind them continually on your heart;
    Tie them around your neck.
    ²² When you walk about, they will guide you;
    When you sleep, they will watch over you;
    And when you awake, they will talk to you, (Proverbs 6:20-22).

• נָפַל nāp̱al: A verb meaning to prostrate oneself: His Word Will Never Bow Down; His Word is Magnified According to His Name.
  • I will bow down toward Your holy temple
    And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
    For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name, (Psalm 138:1-2).

• נָפַל nāp̱al: A verb meaning to overthrow: His Word Will Never Be Overthrown; His Word is Mighty to Save.
  • Who is this who comes from Edom,
    With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah,
    This One who is majestic in His apparel,
    Marching in the greatness of His strength?
    “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save,” (Isaiah 61:1).

How do we respond to What His Word Will Never Do?

Whenever I read about His Word in the Old Testament, or anywhere in Scripture, I can’t help but think of Jesus, the Living Word Who came to make His dwelling among us.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth, (John 1:1, 14).

The Father gave His Only Son, the Living Word, that we would be saved and live with Him for all eternity in His Holy Heaven, where all tears, suffering and death will never again be endured.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, ⁴ and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away,” (Revelation 21:3-4).

But in the meantime, in this earth time, He has given us His written Word where we might be built up in Him, His Living Word.

But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” ¹⁹ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life, (Jude 1:17-21).

• Let us build ourselves up in Him as we accept the truth that His Living Word Will Never Fall Down, knowing His Word Stands Forever.
  • “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished,” (Matthew 5:17-18).

• Let us build ourselves up in Him as we rest in His Living Word that Never Lies Down, trusting His Word is Awake to Watch Over His Own.
  • Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them, (Hebrews 7:25).

• Let us build ourselves up in Him as we honor and exalt His Living Word that Never Bows Down, believing His Word is Magnified According to His Name.
  • so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, (Philippians 2:10-11).

• Let us build ourselves up in Him as we live with confidence that His Living Word Will Never Be Overthrown, convinced His Word is Mighty to Save.
  • “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33).

We must also remember something else that His Word Will Never Do. His Living Word Will Never Force Himself upon us. As the Father draws us to His Son, may we respond in faith and humility that we would desire above all else, to grow in our knowledge of His Living Word through our time in His Written Word; for truly, what else can compare?

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb, (Psalm 19:7-10).

like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, ³ if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord, (1 Peter 2:2-3).

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen, (2 Peter 3:18).

Let’s Grow Together!