In this chapter, King Jehoshaphat, again, joins forces with the king of Israel; this time, it's with King Joram, Ahab’s son, and again, Jehoshaphat asked for guidance from the Lord. The chapter begins, “Ahab’s son Joram began to rule over Israel in the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria twelve years. He did what was evil in the Lord's sight, but he was not as wicked as his father and mother. (Wow...for Jezebel to continue to be referenced with her husband Ahab as wicked/evil, she must have really established a scarred reputation.) He at least tore down the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had set up. Nevertheless he continued in the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led the people of Israel to commit.
King Mesha of Moab and his people were sheep breeders. They used to pay the king of Israel an annual tribute of 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. But after Ahab’s death, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. So King Joram mustered the army of Israel and marched from Samaria. On the way, he sent this message to King Jehoshaphat of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you help me fight him?”
And Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course! You and I are brothers, and my troops are yours to command. Even my horses are at your service.” Then Jehoshaphat asked, “What route will we take?” (2 Kings 3:1-8)
Joram informed Jehoshaphat of the route, and the king of Edom and his men joined them for the fight. They traveled for seven days without water, and Joram, the king of Israel, became frustrated and began to think that the Lord brought them there to be defeated by the king of Moab.
“But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord with us? If there is, we can ask the Lord what to do.” (Have you noticed that King Jehoshaphat has no shame! Regardless of who his family, peers, or colleagues worship, he is, proudly, going to serve the Lord!) One of King Joram’s officers replied, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to be Elijah’s personal assistant.”
Jehoshaphat said, “Then the Lord will speak through him.” So the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom went to consult with Elisha. “I want no part of you,” Elisha said to the king of Israel. “Go to the pagan prophets of your father and mother!” But King Joram said, “No! For it was the Lord who called us three kings here to be destroyed by the king of Moab!”
Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I would not bother with you except for my respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah. (Wow...look at the clout God has given Jehoshaphat due to his commitment to the Lord! No prophesying would be going on, if it were not for the presence of Jehoshaphat!) Now bring me someone who can play the harp.”
While the harp was being played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha, and he said, “This is what the Lord says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water! You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and for your cattle and your other animals. But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab! You will conquer the best of their cities, even the fortified ones. You will cut down all their trees, stop up all their springs, and ruin all their good land with stones.” (2 Kings 3:11-19)
As Elisha had prophesied, water suddenly appeared in the valley the next day, and the three armies went on to destroy the cities of Moab.
“When the king of Moab saw that he was losing the battle, he led seven hundred of his warriors in a desperate attempt to break through the enemy lines near the king of Edom, but they failed to escape. So he took his oldest son, who would have been the next king, and sacrificed him as a burnt offering on the wall. (Wow...what does that solve?) As a result, the anger against Israel was great, so they withdrew and returned to their own land.” (2 Kings 3:26-27)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! You are continually showing us that seeking your guidance works. Help us have the courage and confidence to shamelessly call on you! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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