Moab Rebels (2 Kings 3)

Do we rush into decisions without God’s wisdom or habitually seek God’s guidance? Did God provide for a loyal king? Is it important to discern between a preacher of truth and a false prophet? Let’s look at 2 Kings 3.

Did Israel and Judah join in battle against Moab, a rebel tributary state? Do we make snap decisions?

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 not to the same extent as his father and mother. He at least tore down the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had set up. Nevertheless, he continued in the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had committed and led the people of Israel to commit. King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder. He 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 promptly 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 join me in battle against him?” And Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.” (2 Kings 3:1-7 NLT)

As he had done previously did the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, eventually decide to inquire of the Lord? Who spoke for God?

Then he [Jehoshaphat] said, “Which way shall we go up?” Jehoram answered, “The way of the wilderness of Edom.” So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, and they marched for seven days along a circuitous route. There was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. The king of Israel said, “Alas! For Yahweh has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of Yahweh here, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him?” One of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here.” (2 Kings 3:8-11 WEB)

How did Elisha advise the three kings of Israel, Judah and Edom? Was he reluctant to talk to Israel’s king because of his idolatry? Are we reluctant to advise those involved in heresy?

Jehoshaphat said, “He has the Lord’s word!” So Israel’s king and Jehoshaphat and Edom’s king went down to see Elisha. Elisha said to Israel’s king, “What do we have to do with each other? Go to your father’s or mother’s prophets.” Then Israel’s king said to him, “Don’t say that, because it is the Lord who has brought us three kings together—but only to hand us over to Moab!” Elisha said, “I swear by the life of the Lord of heavenly forces, the one I stand before and serve, if I didn’t care about Judah’s King Jehoshaphat, I wouldn’t notice you or even look at you! Now bring me a musician.” While the musician played, the Lord’s power came over Elisha. He said, “This is what the Lord says: This valley will be filled with pools. This is what the Lord says: You won’t see any wind or rain, but that valley will be full of water. Then you’ll be able to drink—you, your cattle, and your animals. This is easy for the Lord to do. He will also hand Moab over to you. You will then attack every fort and every grand city, cutting down all the good trees, stopping up all the springs, and ruining the good fields with stones.” (2 Kings 3:12-19 CEB)

Did the Moabites initially think that the three nations threatening them were defeated? Does it sometimes look to our enemies that we are defeated in life?

The next morning, while the sacrifice was being offered, water suddenly started flowing from the direction of Edom, and it flooded the land. Meanwhile, the people of Moab had heard that the three kings were coming to attack them. They had called together all of their fighting men, from the youngest to the oldest, and these troops were now standing at their border, ready for battle. When they got up that morning, the sun was shining across the water, making it look red. The Moabite troops took one look and shouted, “Look at that blood! The armies of those kings must have fought and killed each other. Come on, let's go take what's left in their camp.” (2 Kings 3:20-23 CEV)

How did the three nations of Israel, Judah and Edom win the day against Moab? What disgusting offering did Moab make?