Three kings together to wage war against Moab. Why? Israel seems to be weakening as a national presence in the region and Mesha, the king of Moab, decided to take advantage of the situation. He stops paying tribute. Joram, king of Israel, recruits the help of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. King of Edom probably doesn't have much choice since Edom is subject to Judah at this time. After 7 days of marching in the wilderness, the water is gone. Desperation sets in.
Two responses to crisis. We have seen them before. We have experienced both in our own lives. This passage gives us a clear picture of the human response to difficulty. Joram blames God. Isn't it interesting that this king who does not worship God - he is a Baal and a calf worshiper - blames God. It is so like us ... to blame God when things go awry in our lives.
In contrast to this response we see Jehoshaphat desiring wisdom from God. He wants to inquire of the Lord. It may be a bit after the fact. We do not have record of any consultation with the Lord and/or His prophets before the campaign began. However, that is quite like us as well. Have you ever forged forward with a plan ... only to hit a wall down the path ... and then decided to seek God's wisdom? I'm getting better about asking first. Praying first. Are you?
God does speak to them through Elisha - out of respect for Jehoshaphat, not Joram. And He reveals His plan for their victory over Moab. I wish I could know what the words from the mouth of Joram were when he heard the instructions. I wonder if he argued. I wonder if said it was a stupid thing to do. I wonder if he complied because the other two kings gave him no option and no voice. We don't know. What we do know is that the instructions from God were followed. Dig ditches ... all over the valley floor. Make space for the water that was going to come. And the water came.
Again we see the hand of God responding to the obedience of people.
Trust ............................................. and obey.
Trust ............................................. and obey.
Where are you needing to trust, and obey the word of the Lord in your own life right now?
Casandra ends her lesson this week with the following statement. Read it slowly, carefully, thoughtfully ... and place your circumstances in the middle of it ...
We need to learn to measure our problems and struggles not against our own strength,
but against the power and might of our God.
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