2 Kings 3 -- Grace Shines Through

I couldn't help noticing the way my commentary kept comparing Elijah to John the Baptist and Elisha to Jesus.  The operative word it used with Elisha was grace.  In this chapter, "Grace defeats the enemy."

Ahab had died, as had his son Ahaziah, leaving his second son Joram as king of Israel, while Jehoshaphat still ruled in Judah.  The regime change led Moab to try to rebel, for they were vassals to Israel, paying enormous annual tributes that likely wrecked their economy.

Joram's sister was married to Jehoshaphat's son, so Joram played the family card to get help.  The two armies marched for seven days, picking up the army of Edom on the way, only to find themselves with no water for humans or animals just as they were ready to enter Moab!  Despite the fact that Joram's father Ahab had promoted Baal worship and Baal was the rain god, Joram  blamed God for the lack of water!  Jehoshaphat wisely wanted o consult with a prophet of the Lord, and Elisha just happened to be close by.  Elisha wouldn't speak to Joram, but answered Jehoshaphat, telling him to have the soldiers dig trenches and foxholes in the valley where they were camped, not for battle, but to capture water from mountain rains which would occur overnight and flood the valley the following day!

Not only did God take care of the three armies with the rain, but He also deceived the army of Moab with the sun's early morning reflection off the water, which resembled blood and caused the soldiers of Moab to believe their opponents had massacred each other!  They foolishly hurried to the site to collect the spoils, only to discover their mistake and be routed.  God also directed the three armies to go into Moab and cut down all the trees, stop up all the springs, tear down the rock walls and scatter the rocks in the fields, leaving Moab destitute and unable to recover economically.

Father, keep me near You and in Your will so that I will never face Your wrath and judgment.  Anyone who fights against You is foolish and guaranteed to lose!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford