Jehoshaphat's Desert Deliverance, 2 Kings 3

Jehoshaphat’s Desert Deliverance, 2 Kings 3

Theme
Men's best laid plans, and the right time and way to seek God.
Time: About 850 BC
Personalities
Jehoshaphat, King of Judah: Son of Asa and the 6th king of the House of David.
Jehoram, King of Israel: Son of Ahab and Jezebel
Mesha, King of Moab: reigned energetically for about 40 years. He carved an inscription in the “Moabite Stone”, one of the few archeological artifacts of the Moabite nation, which described Mesha’s recovery of territory from Israel and the liberation of Moab from vassalage to Israel. The stone was discovered by a German missionary in 1868 and dates the beginning of Mesha’s reign during Omri’s time, continuing through Ahab’s and Ahaziah’s reigns, and into the rule of Jehoram of Israel, the date of this Scripture passage.
King of Edom: Unknown
Background
The nation of Moab descended from Lot’s elder daughter (Genesis 19:37) and was not to be disturbed by the Israelites entering the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 2:9). Balak, King of Moab, bribed Balaam to prophesy against Israel at this time (Numbers 22:2,3). During the Judges, King Eglon of Moab subdued part of Israel for 18 years (Judges 3:14). David brought Moab under tribute (2 Samuel 8:2, 1 Chronicles 18:2).
After the nation split, Moab regained its freedom. Omri, king of the Northern Kingdom and Ahab’s father, subdued Moab and placed it under a heavy tribute. Moab rebelled against Israel during the reign of Ahaziah, Ahab’s first son and successor. In this passage, Ahab’s second son Jehoram seeks help from Jehoshaphat to subdue Moab. Jehoshaphat enlisted his vassal, the king of Edom, in the campaign.
Previous to this account, Judah was invaded by an alliance of Moab, Ammon and certain tribes of Edom mentioned in 2 Chronicles 20 (covered in the study "The Beauty of Holiness"). God delivered Jehoshaphat and Judah in that battle. This invasion intended to displace the Jews from Judah. The invaders brought their wealth with them resulting in great spoil for Judah and serious weakening of Moab and Edom, the latter which became subject to Judah. Jehoshaphat had cause for carefully considering the intentions of King Mesha.
Israel held fortified cities north of the River Arnon, which forms an easily defended line on Moab’s northern border. Jehoshaphat planned to invade Moab from the south, through Edom. Jehoshaphat and Jehoram’s armies ascended the Wadi el Hesa which forms the boundary between Moab and Edom. The allied armies were required to climb over 4000 feet in less than 4 miles in rugged, arid country. This was the setting for the passage’s first battle.
Jehoshaphat's foolish plan

2 Kings 3:1-3
Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years. And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
Jehoram had seen the deaths of his father Ahab and his brother Ahaziah. The fear of the LORD may have caused him to personally put away Baal (while remaining "tolerant" of his mother's and subject's Baal worship), but God’s judgement was still upon the House of Ahab and Jehoram personally. Jehoram continued the state calf cult, which was designed by Jeroboam to secure his people’s allegiance by turning them from Temple worship in Jerusalem. Jehoram’s example warns us against presenting the Gospel to unbelievers as an “investment”. Matthew Henry observes: “Those do not truly, nor acceptably, repent or reform, who only part with the sins that they lose by, but continue their affection to the sins that they get by.”
2 Kings 3:4
And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.
This last statement may mean that 100,000 lambs and the shearing of 100,000 rams constituted Mesha’s tribute to Israel. Whatever the precise nature of the tribute, it was a heavy burden on the Moabites.
2 Kings 3:5-7
But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel. And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.
Despite his near death through Ahab’s treachery, Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab’s son with the same words he used to join himself to Ahab. As the Scripture points out and as we shall see, good does not come from being unequally yoked.
2 Kings 3:8-9
And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom. So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days’ journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.
Jehoshaphat’s plan depended on the presence of water in the “wadi” they ascended from the Dead Sea to the Moabite plain, but no water was found.
Jehoshaphat's realization: Only God can save

2 Kings 3:10-12
And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab! But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah. And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
Jehoshaphat would have done better to consult the LORD before undertaking this war, rather than in the midst of a crisis. God may allow believers to proceed into a situation so that they will learn to follow His leading. Even a godly leader may lead poorly if he neglects his chief duty - to understand and obey the LORD.
God’s plan had God’s man in the place of need, though he was uninvited and his presence was unknown to the kings. Elisha was obeying God’s calling by being where he was needed. As God’s plan unfolded it was the kings who came to see Elisha! It is marvelous to consider that, despite the rashness of Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Jehoram, God had previously made provision for his deliverance. On the other hand, consider the man of god, who had to follow the army ignored, until there was no recourse except to hear his message from God. Those who minister God's Word faithfully have never enjoyed the favor of sinful men.
2 Kings 3:13-14
And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab. And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
Elisha brought down scathing words upon his ruler, Jehoram. Elisha did not rail at the king lightly. Many say strong things about leaders in the heat of discussion, but Exodus 22:28 tells us: “You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people”. This admonition is reinforced by Romans 13:1-4 and 1 Peter 2:17. Rulers are God’s ministers. Words regarding them must be carefully considered and obedient believers will support them with their prayers.
While Elisha honored the king as a subject, in this instance he was representing God as His prophet. Men are not to be prophets today, as Elisha was. Elisha was called upon to give God’s word to three kings: a heathen, a heretic, and saved, but erring Jehoshaphat. He was not allowed to speak anything but God’s Word in this situation, just as God's people today must teach only what the Scripture teaches. It was not a light thing for Jehoram to come seeking the counsel of God, while blaming God for the circumstances of his own folly.
2 Kings 3:15
But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
As part of his responsibility to faithfully deliver the LORD’s message, Elisha needed to “hear” God. Before him stood the heathen King of Edom, and Jehoram, the second son of wicked Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab had been a murderer and allowed Jezebel to introduce Baal worship into the Northern Kingdom. Although Jehoram personally eschewed Baal worship, he did not prevent his mother from its practice, nor the rest of the nation. Judgements of God in the form of wars and famines had swept over God’s people, but none of Ahab’s family had David’s tender concern for the people when judgement struck. They were only concerned with their own position. Also, the House of Ahab was a deadly enemy to Elisha’s predecessor, Elijah and to all believers in general.
It is understandable that Elisha would be upset in these circumstances. But, even worse, Jehoshaphat of the House of David was present in this company of spiritual rogues. Jehoshaphat was Jehoram’s in-law at this time, having married his son (also named Jehoram) to Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter, Athaliah. The destructive influences that Jehoshaphat had set in motion would last for generations.
Jehoshaphat and his confederates had mighty plans and mighty means to carry them out, but were halted by something as simple as the lack of water. Elisha was rightly troubled by Jehoshaphat’s tardiness in seeking God’s will. Elisha knew that the Davidic line from which the Messiah would come was drawn into Jehoshaphat’s ill conceived policies, and this must have troubled him greatly.
Elisha was called upon to deliver God’s Word in a time of spiritual and emotional stress. All believers felt the need to draw near to God in stressful and emotional situations. Other men of God sought Him in solitude: Christ, John the Baptist, and Paul come immediately to mind, but Elisha was surrounded by the clamor and bustle of a military camp in enemy territory, watched by three anxious kings. He could not enter God’s presence in solitude.
Elisha requested that a minstrel be brought to calm his temper and put him into an attitude of worship. It is important to distinguish this action and purpose from that of using music to excite and induce “messages” and “words”.
2 Kings 3:16-19
And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand. And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.
Different views are given regarding these four verses. In this study, verses 16 and 19 are viewed as commands, and verses 17 and 18 as prophecies. Verse 19 did not come to pass completely, a necessary element of a prophecy.
Christians must seek for the LORD's leadership in their lives
The kings were told by the Lord how to receive their deliverance while they were in a completely helpless state. They delayed until their own means of deliverance were exhausted before they sought the LORD. Elisha must have been greatly disappointed that Jehoshaphat, the king who sought the LORD in public, had not sought the Holy Spirit’s leadership in his design. Ought not the mark of believers be that they walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit? Isn’t a mandatory element of faith the heaven-sent knowledge of man's inability and God’s complete ability to know and do what is right?
Christians must prepare to be obedient when God speaks
The kings were instructed to prepare for God’s deliverance, so that they could receive its benefits. It is not sufficient to ask God for guidance or deliverance. Believers must be determined to follow His plan, no matter what cost it may be or how irrelevant His instructions seem at the time. The kings were not told to get the water; God would provide the life-giving sustenance they needed. They were told to receive the water, just as James 1:21 describes how the engrafted word is received.
Other aspects of this passage can only touched upon in this study. Just as the need of the armies was great, so they were told to make great preparations for God’s blessing. In other words, their obedience would reflect their heart’s expectation, and was a mirror of their belief. An excellent example of this is to be found in the next chapter, where God miraculously filled all of the oil jars the widow and her son could gather. The armies were to prepare immediately. Their instructions involved hard work in difficult conditions. Finally, they were told to dig ditches for water that would come, not water that might come, just as the wise virgins prepared their lamps for the Bridegroom that would come. God will have our hearts to expect the fulfillment of His Word; He does all things well.
The basis of faith is the sovereign power of Almighty God, not men's devices or merits.
God is completely sovereign in how, when, and why He blesses (which is always for His glory). When Moses struck the rock, when the priests bore the ark dry shod across the Jordan, when Elijah called down fire from heaven, when Christ called Lazarus from the tomb, or said “it is finished”, men acted on God’s absolute ability and willingness to honor His Word, both written and incarnate.
God always sends his blessings sufficiently, whether or not it is in the form that men expect. No superfluous “gilding the lily” that Peter asked for during the upper room footwashing is needed -- Christ, His work, His Word, and His will are sufficient to meet all needs.
God is greater than our desires
In this case, not only did God rescue Jehoshapat in his time of need for the sake of God's promised Savior, but God also delivered the Moabites into their hand. Since God’s ways are so far above men's (Isaiah 55:8-9), it must follow that His answers to prayers are answered in ways above what men could understand, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9.
God's miraculous deliverance was sweet, but men's works resulted in bitterness

2 Kings 3:20
And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
The water arrived at the time of the “meat” (or meal) offering in the Temple. Just as in the case of Elijah’s sacrifice on Mt. Carmel, God used great care in drawing parallels to temple worship. Briefly, the meal offering recognized God’s sovereignty over all earthly blessings.
2 Kings 3:21-24
And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border. And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood: And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil. And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country.
The unbending resistance of the allies to the Moabites came as a shock, and shattered their military power. At this point, the allies have been given the ability to carry out God’s command given by Elisha.
2 Kings 3:25
And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
This city in later days was the Crusader fortress of Kerak, rising over 1000 feet above the surrounding ground.
“Only” indicates that Jehoshaphat and his allies did not carry out the word of God delivered by Elisha. This represents is the same sort of obedience that Saul showed in 1 Samuel 15:3, when he returned from the Amalekite campaign and the failure of the Israelites to cleanse the land of Canaan.
Elisha had given God’s word regarding Moab, and it was a word of total destruction that was not to be the usual warfare that the Law gave Israel to follow (see Deuteronomy 20:19,20).
2 Kings 3:26-27
And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not. Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.
Stigers says that the word “against” should be translated “in”, and the construction of the sentence indicates that the armies were so indignant at this hideous act that they departed. The Northern Kingdom army was more apt to be disgusted with the heathen practices of others long before they put away their own.
Heathens, although their sacrifices are substitutional in nature, sacrifice to appease the wrath of their demons based on their despair of receiving mercy. This is in contrast to the True God, who provided His own substitutionary sacrifice for His peoplein His infinite love and grace.
The allied campaign led by godly Jehoshaphat failed to obey God’s command, and the armies returned home unsuccessful.
Resources
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, 2 Kings 3, Matthew Henry
Commentary on the Old Testament, Keil and Delitzsch, 2 Kings 3, C. F. Keil
Bible History, Old Testament, Volume 6, Chapter 9, Alfred Edersheim
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, 2 Kings 3, Harold Stigers
Antiquities of the Jews, Book 9, Ch 3, Josephus
Articles: “Jehoshaphat”, “Mesha”, and “Moab”, The Zondervon Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, ed. by Merrill Tenney
Article: “Mosaic Sacrifices”, Unger’s Bible Dictionary, ed. by Merrill F. Unger
Article: “Short Meditations on Elisha”, The Serious Christian, Vol. 5, J. G. Bellett
Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit sermon # 1612, “The Minstrel”, Charles H. Spurgeon
Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit sermon # 747, “Make This Valley Full of Ditches”, Charles H. Spurgeon

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