Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1
Good morning. In last Sunday’s message, we discussed the memorable transition from Elijah to Elisha as the leading prophet in Israel. We will talk a lot more about Elisha and his remarkable ministry in the coming weeks, including some today. That said, our primary emphasis this morning will be on the kings of the northern and southern kingdoms and yet another alliance between them.
I. JEHORAM BECOMES KING (2 Kings 3:1-3)
After his brother Ahaziah’s death, Jehoram became the king of Israel during the 18th year of Jehoshaphat in Judah. Jehoram, the son of Ahab, reigned for 12 years and did evil in the sight of the LORD although not to the extent of his parents. To his credit, he did put away the sacred pillar of Baal that Ahab had made. Nevertheless, he clung to the sins of Jeroboam and led the northern kingdom further into idolatry and wickedness.
II. MOAB’S REBELLION & ISRAEL’S ALLIANCE (2 Kings 3:4-12)
During the reign of King Ahab, the Moabites paid an annual tribute to Israel consisting of lambs and ram’s wool. But after Ahab’s death (and Ahaziah’s), Mesha, the king of Moab, rebelled against the northern kingdom. In response, Jehoram called his army together and sought the assistance of neighboring Judah. Jehoshaphat, who had always stood with Israel in the past, readily agreed to fight alongside Jehoram to quell Moab’s rebellion. Jehoshaphat suggested that their alliance should attack Moab from the south, via the desert wilderness of Edom.
So the combined forces of Israel, Judah, and Edom journeyed through the arid wilderness for 7 days slowly making their way toward Moab. Unfortunately, they were unable to find any water for themselves or their animals. They became increasingly weak and dehydrated. King Jehoram moaned that God was against them. Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of the LORD available for them to inquire of, and Jehoram’s servant suggested Elisha. Therefore, the 3 kings went to speak to him.
This scenario is reminiscent of an earlier alliance between Israel and Judah in their battle against Aram (1 Kings 22). On that occasion, Jehoshaphat agreed to fight alongside Ahab and insisted that they consult with a prophet of the LORD before going to war. They spoke with Micaiah, who prophesied against the battle, but they stubbornly moved forward with it anyway. As you may recall, things didn't end well for either Israel or Judah. Would this time be different?
III. ELISHA’S MESSAGE (2 Kings 3:13-20)
Elisha was well aware of Israel’s long history of wickedness and idolatry. When the 3 rulers arrived and King Jehoram asked Elisha for his counsel, the prophet’s initial and rather flippant response was “go ask your parents’ prophets and gods”. Jehoram expressed his grave fear that God intended to give the over to the Moabites, but Elisha wasn’t moved by his despair. He bluntly responded that the only reason he was even meeting with this trio was for the sake of Jehoshaphat, the righteous God-fearing king of Judah.
Elisha asked that a minstrel, that is, a musician, be brought to him. When the minstrel began to play, the hand of the LORD came upon him and he told the kings to fill the valley with trenches. Elisha explained that, though they would not actually see any wind or rain occur, God would suddenly fill the valley with water to supply their needs. Besides this, the LORD would also give them the victory over Moab. They were instructed to strike Moab’s prominent cities, fell its trees, stop its springs, and mar its land with stones. The next morning, God sent a sudden flash flood through the valley and water filled the trenches that had been dug.
This story serves as an example of how music can enhance our communication with the LORD. The word of God came to Elisha when the music played. There is no question that music is an important aspect of worship and sincere communion with the Holy Spirit. That said, music isn’t always necessary for the Holy Spirit to move or for the LORD to reveal His word. Sadly, many churches in recent years, particularly some megachurches, have abused music to create an emotionally-charged “atmosphere” that replicates a genuine movement of the Holy Spirit with intense human feelings divorced from truth.
IV. ISRAEL’S VICTORY (2 Kings 3:21-27)
When the Moabites heard that Jehoram’s united army was approaching, all of their fighting men girded themselves in armor and gathered at the border to intercept the invaders. Looking out over the valley before them, they saw the morning sunlight reflecting off the water-filled trenches and it appeared to them as blood. They thought that the allied forces had slain each other, so they broke ranks and descended into the valley to gather spoils.
When the Moabites entered the camp disorganized and unaware, Israel and her allies ambushed and slaughtered them. The alliance then set about destroying all the cities and lands of Moab just as the LORD had directed. Realizing the battle was lost, the king of Moab took 700 sword-wielding soldiers and made a final, desperate attempt to escape. When he was unable, he sacrificed his eldest son (who was to be his successor) as a burnt offering, presumably to appease their pagan god(s). Shocked and appalled by his crazed despair, Israel called off their advance and returned to their own land. Nevertheless, the Moabite rebellion had been crushed.
CONCLUSION
This passage provides a clear illustration of true, saving faith. The combined armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom were exhausted from a week-long trek through the desert. They needed water to sustain and revive them. Their situation had grown desperate. That said, God promised to provide them the water they needed, but in order to receive it they had to do something - dig ditches. Now If you’ve ever done any digging, you know that it's not easy work… especially when you are already worn-out. But, by faith, they obeyed with the confident expectation that God’s promises were true. Had they not done so, God’s blessing would have been lost. Sure enough, when the waters came, they were prepared. The waters they captured not only provided for their thirst, but were also (in a rather peculiar way) the means by which they defeated the Moabites.
Beloved, genuine faith acts in a manner that anticipates the promises and truths of God. It is not merely belief, but rather a lifestyle of obedience, behavior, and speech that is firmly based on and securely rooted in that belief. It is not just a confession, but rather a daily commitment to “take up your cross and follow” Jesus (Luke 9:23). It is living today in accordance with an expected outcome tomorrow. Anyone can say they believe and perhaps, on some level, they do, but saving faith provides tangible evidence. It is supported by hard, tedious, and often thankless, work. My friends, true, saving faith digs ditches.
Good morning. In last Sunday’s message, we discussed the memorable transition from Elijah to Elisha as the leading prophet in Israel. We will talk a lot more about Elisha and his remarkable ministry in the coming weeks, including some today. That said, our primary emphasis this morning will be on the kings of the northern and southern kingdoms and yet another alliance between them.
I. JEHORAM BECOMES KING (2 Kings 3:1-3)
After his brother Ahaziah’s death, Jehoram became the king of Israel during the 18th year of Jehoshaphat in Judah. Jehoram, the son of Ahab, reigned for 12 years and did evil in the sight of the LORD although not to the extent of his parents. To his credit, he did put away the sacred pillar of Baal that Ahab had made. Nevertheless, he clung to the sins of Jeroboam and led the northern kingdom further into idolatry and wickedness.
II. MOAB’S REBELLION & ISRAEL’S ALLIANCE (2 Kings 3:4-12)
During the reign of King Ahab, the Moabites paid an annual tribute to Israel consisting of lambs and ram’s wool. But after Ahab’s death (and Ahaziah’s), Mesha, the king of Moab, rebelled against the northern kingdom. In response, Jehoram called his army together and sought the assistance of neighboring Judah. Jehoshaphat, who had always stood with Israel in the past, readily agreed to fight alongside Jehoram to quell Moab’s rebellion. Jehoshaphat suggested that their alliance should attack Moab from the south, via the desert wilderness of Edom.
So the combined forces of Israel, Judah, and Edom journeyed through the arid wilderness for 7 days slowly making their way toward Moab. Unfortunately, they were unable to find any water for themselves or their animals. They became increasingly weak and dehydrated. King Jehoram moaned that God was against them. Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of the LORD available for them to inquire of, and Jehoram’s servant suggested Elisha. Therefore, the 3 kings went to speak to him.
This scenario is reminiscent of an earlier alliance between Israel and Judah in their battle against Aram (1 Kings 22). On that occasion, Jehoshaphat agreed to fight alongside Ahab and insisted that they consult with a prophet of the LORD before going to war. They spoke with Micaiah, who prophesied against the battle, but they stubbornly moved forward with it anyway. As you may recall, things didn't end well for either Israel or Judah. Would this time be different?
III. ELISHA’S MESSAGE (2 Kings 3:13-20)
Elisha was well aware of Israel’s long history of wickedness and idolatry. When the 3 rulers arrived and King Jehoram asked Elisha for his counsel, the prophet’s initial and rather flippant response was “go ask your parents’ prophets and gods”. Jehoram expressed his grave fear that God intended to give the over to the Moabites, but Elisha wasn’t moved by his despair. He bluntly responded that the only reason he was even meeting with this trio was for the sake of Jehoshaphat, the righteous God-fearing king of Judah.
Elisha asked that a minstrel, that is, a musician, be brought to him. When the minstrel began to play, the hand of the LORD came upon him and he told the kings to fill the valley with trenches. Elisha explained that, though they would not actually see any wind or rain occur, God would suddenly fill the valley with water to supply their needs. Besides this, the LORD would also give them the victory over Moab. They were instructed to strike Moab’s prominent cities, fell its trees, stop its springs, and mar its land with stones. The next morning, God sent a sudden flash flood through the valley and water filled the trenches that had been dug.
This story serves as an example of how music can enhance our communication with the LORD. The word of God came to Elisha when the music played. There is no question that music is an important aspect of worship and sincere communion with the Holy Spirit. That said, music isn’t always necessary for the Holy Spirit to move or for the LORD to reveal His word. Sadly, many churches in recent years, particularly some megachurches, have abused music to create an emotionally-charged “atmosphere” that replicates a genuine movement of the Holy Spirit with intense human feelings divorced from truth.
IV. ISRAEL’S VICTORY (2 Kings 3:21-27)
When the Moabites heard that Jehoram’s united army was approaching, all of their fighting men girded themselves in armor and gathered at the border to intercept the invaders. Looking out over the valley before them, they saw the morning sunlight reflecting off the water-filled trenches and it appeared to them as blood. They thought that the allied forces had slain each other, so they broke ranks and descended into the valley to gather spoils.
When the Moabites entered the camp disorganized and unaware, Israel and her allies ambushed and slaughtered them. The alliance then set about destroying all the cities and lands of Moab just as the LORD had directed. Realizing the battle was lost, the king of Moab took 700 sword-wielding soldiers and made a final, desperate attempt to escape. When he was unable, he sacrificed his eldest son (who was to be his successor) as a burnt offering, presumably to appease their pagan god(s). Shocked and appalled by his crazed despair, Israel called off their advance and returned to their own land. Nevertheless, the Moabite rebellion had been crushed.
CONCLUSION
This passage provides a clear illustration of true, saving faith. The combined armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom were exhausted from a week-long trek through the desert. They needed water to sustain and revive them. Their situation had grown desperate. That said, God promised to provide them the water they needed, but in order to receive it they had to do something - dig ditches. Now If you’ve ever done any digging, you know that it's not easy work… especially when you are already worn-out. But, by faith, they obeyed with the confident expectation that God’s promises were true. Had they not done so, God’s blessing would have been lost. Sure enough, when the waters came, they were prepared. The waters they captured not only provided for their thirst, but were also (in a rather peculiar way) the means by which they defeated the Moabites.
Beloved, genuine faith acts in a manner that anticipates the promises and truths of God. It is not merely belief, but rather a lifestyle of obedience, behavior, and speech that is firmly based on and securely rooted in that belief. It is not just a confession, but rather a daily commitment to “take up your cross and follow” Jesus (Luke 9:23). It is living today in accordance with an expected outcome tomorrow. Anyone can say they believe and perhaps, on some level, they do, but saving faith provides tangible evidence. It is supported by hard, tedious, and often thankless, work. My friends, true, saving faith digs ditches.