These words presuppose an anxious desire to know the meaning of the cryptic answer of the watchman. He has declined to give them a definite reply, and they remain in darkness. If they desire to ask again, that is their privilege. But there is no assurance that a second inquiry will be more fruitful than the first.

The answer of the watchman is mysterious and bodes ill. He gives no definite reply, but simply says that though morning may come, night will again follow. There is little of light or hope to look forward to. The hours ahead are dark, gloomy, and uncertain. Such was to be the future history of the unhappy land of Edom, to be trodden under foot by a succession of conquerors and ultimately reduced to an altogether desolate state. God’s watchmen upon the walls of Zion today should be ready to give an answer to those who inquire what hour of earth’s long night it is, and when the dawn of eternal day may be expected (see GC 632).