The Help of the Lord

2 Kings 3 turns back from attention to the prophets to attention to the kings of Israel and Judah. The Northern kingdom of Israel suddenly loses tribute from Moab and a battle is called by the son of Ahab, Jehoram. However, Jehoram is unsure of his ability to win so he enlists the help of Judah and King Jehoshaphat as his father Ahab had done years earlier. As they make their way to the battle, they encounter a serious problem of no water for their troops.

2 Kings 3:9–10 (ESV) So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. 10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The LORD has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.”

The king of Israel here represents the typical half-hearted believer. The moment trouble strikes they immediately blame the Lord for their problems.

Jehoshaphat functions as both the voice of reason and faith in this passage and summons the help of Elisha. Elisha agrees to help only because Jehoshaphat is the one asking along with the wicked Jehoram. This is Elisha's reply:

2 Kings 3:16–19 (ESV) And he said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’ 17 For thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’ 18 This is a light thing in the sight of the LORD. He will also give the Moabites into your hand, 19 and you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree and stop up all springs of water and ruin every good piece of land with stones.”

Instantly, the problem is going to be solved as the waters shall come by supernatural means and provide not just water but victory to the armies of Israel and Judah. Elisha makes clear that this is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. 

I had this thought as I read this passage: what we ask is not large to the Lord. Moreover, we have confidence that He can do the impossible for us and WILL do the impossible for us because of Christ Jesus, our righteous king who makes it possible for our prayers to ascend to heaven. 

We are not Elisha in this passage. We are the rebellious Jehoram. Yet, because we have the true king of Judah on our side, we can approach God's throne with confidence.

The difference between Jehoshaphat and Jehoram could not be more clear. Jehoram is ready to blame the Lord, Jehoshaphat is ready to seek the Lord. Jehoram is ready to give up and believe for the worst, Jehoshaphat is still believing God wants to do good for His people. Remember in 1 Kings 22 how Jehoshaphat called on Ahab to seek the direction of the Lord at a previous time? Both that time and this Jehoshaphat offers a similar assurance to both less-than-admirable kings of Israel:

"I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." 

That is the promise of a true friend and a trustworthy ally in life. Jesus is our true Jehoshaphat. He is the one who keeps us looking to the Father and works in our trials and trouble for our good. He is the one who sticks closer than we deserve. And He is the one with Whom the Father is well pleased. When we listen to Him, we are victorious in life and in death.