2nd Kings 3 STRANGE COALITION The reputation of a person may live on long after they are dead, especially if they are noted for doing evil. Idol worship had been instituted throughout the kingdom of Israel by Jeroboam, and to a greater or lesser degree was carried on by those who followed him. Once some action that leads to a practice is initiated, it is very difficult to stop it. We must be aware of the fact that if we are responsible for making any changes to the work of God to which we are called, it must be scriptural and able to be carried out in fellowship with God and His people. A task or an action may seem trivial at the time, but the outcome of the matter or event is what is important.
The people of Moab had been in subjection to Israel since the time David was king over a united Israel. The land of Israel was the most strategic and most fertile part of the Near East and was envied by other nations that wanted that land. Perhaps it was because of the death of Ahab that Mesha thought Israel under Jehoram (Joram) was weak and so he refused to pay the annual taxes. To maintain the income received Jehoram mobilized his army and asked Jehoshaphat of Judah to join in attacking the kingdom of Moab. It is not uncommon for us as the servants of God to act on our own initiative without taking the time to be assured of the mind of the Lord about a matter.
As the two armies went the round-about way through the wilderness of Edom, the king of Edom and his forces joined in the coalition making it three. Jehoshaphat was still recognized by the Lord as one who feared God and maintained the priesthood and the temple worship under divine authority. The king of Edom was actually under the authority of Jehoshaphat. Even though he should not have been allied with the kings of Israel and Edom because of their idol-worship and rejection of the Lord God of Israel, the Lord honored him and his request. It may have been the Moabites were even more wicked than the Edomites and those of the northern tribes of Israel.
To link up with those who are in the world and of the world is not right for those who follow the Lord and His word. We are called to separate ourselves from that which is not of God and has self-motivated intent behind the action. Even when it may seem advantageous financially, socially and religiously, the command is still to "Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord."
The lack of water for the men and animals would have effectively stopped the invasion of Moab. Jehoram blamed the Lord for the set-back even though it was his initiative that started the whole venture. When their plans seemed to fail, then the three kings turned to the Lord. This is not uncommon when we act on our own. We have our own interests at heart, but when they seem to fail, we turn to the Lord. It is wisdom to seek the Lord before taking an action and then we are assured that whatever the outcome, it is according to His will and purpose, not ours.
Elisha must have been with the forces of Israel under the guidance of the Lord who was preparing the whole event to demonstrate to all, the fact that God was still in control of the affairs of men and nations. Jehoshaphat had been in a similar situation before with Ahab and knew that ultimately it is the Lord God only who knows the end from the beginning. The prophet's challenge to them to seek advice from the false gods Israel and Edom were following, was really a test. Jehoshaphat must have been embarrassed to have even been there. Compromising situations can leave us with a sense of guilt and shame unless we truly believe the Lord has us there for a reason.
Jehoram, in spite of his actions, had a certain fear of God and an awareness of that which was right. In this event he was sure of the leading of the Lord for some reason. Even though his interests were financial, the Lord was using the event for a greater purpose. To the background of music, Elisha set a tone and then gave a clear statement as to what the Lord was going to do for them for the sake of Jehoshaphat. It can be expected by those who live and act by faith that "Them that honor Me, I will honor." The interests of God are for the well-being of those who trust Him.
The resulting victory was because the Moabites thought the water in the valley was blood, and they walked right into the ambush. This was without a doubt to all involved, God's intervention. The Moabites knew the strange coalition of kings was unusual, but their anticipation of victory ended in the almost total decimation of the men of the nation. It must have been well known that Jehoshaphat was different in his beliefs and actions from the other two kings. Unless the Lord is in the plan men devise, it is to be expected that unholy alliances will fail. God can override the plans of men and bring victory in the most unexpected ways.
The last desperate attempt of the remaining men of Moab to turn Edom against Israel and Judah failed. The king of Moab actually sacrificed his oldest son to the false gods in the plain view of everyone. This was totally abhorrent to all the Israelites who saw it, but instead of pressing ahead and grasping full victory they turned back in anger and never finished what they had begun. To leave evil influences is like leaving a "little leaven" to leaven the whole lump. Even though we may experience positive results in our labors if we join with the world in some benevolent work, that does not justify stopping short of that which God intends and expects of us.
2Kings 3:11. “But Jehoshaphat said, is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may inquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servant answered and said, here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.”
PRINCIPLES OF SERVICE. It seemed like a menial task at the time – To serve an older prophet didn’t make his name to shine. But what Elisha did when he ministered to God’s man, Was serving God Himself when pouring water on Elijah’s hands.
There are things we do that seem trivial in the eyes of other men – But God looks on with favor when we do even small things for Him. We may not have considered it much – may even have forgot The little things done long ago, but God forgets them not.
Even a cup of cold water given in a disciple’s name – God says has a reward; it refreshed the traveler who came. Who knows – maybe an angel stopped for a little rest – And the simple things of hospitality, God looks at as the best.
When we have learned the little things, God trusts us with things bigger. Principles of service we have learned to apply when we stop to figure How to deal with problems that many people will affect, And we must come up with a plan of action which we dare not neglect.
The will and work of God, falls into a pattern we see. He gave His Word to guide our decisions, and says, “He has done it unto Me.”
If it is the least of His brethren, or the company as a whole – The service rendered whether small or great, begins within the soul.
Love for the Lord shows in deeds for others done in the spirit of love. We observe a need that has to be met and give of what we have. The Lord takes the little and makes it large, the enemy is defeated – And we learn that some water poured on hands is all that was really needed.
“Father God, who knows every need and is the source of all supply – Make me aware of how I can best respond to the needs of those I will serve today, and in the days to come. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”