It’s complicated

We arrive at a somewhat lengthy and complicated miracle. So it will be wise for us to patiently consider what led up to and what was the occasion for this miracle. Sometimes we become so enamored with the miracle—we forget what it took for us to get there. Just as a diamond appears to reveal its true worth when placed in a suitable setting, we can appreciate the works of God when we take the time to consider the framework. 

Joram son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.        2 Kings 3:1-3

Four things we can learn from this scripture as a leadership lesson. 

1. God Himself personally observes our wrongdoing. This phrase appears a lot in the bible: “doing evil in the sight of the LORD.” Consider for a moment how much evil is perpetuated secretly and under cover of darkness, supposing no one is watching. Consider what activity we describe as ‘brash or bold’—doing evil in broad daylight! The truth is that God sees both—so what does it matter? "The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3) That ought to curb our appetite for a while.

2. God documents our evil deeds. The evil which Jehoram did in the sight of the Lord was that of his parents before him and further back still to "the sin of Jeroboam." God not only observes but records every infraction of His Law. We have a record! We break His law and think little or nothing of it.  But the very One who will judge us all has noted every infraction. We can all think our sins may all be forgotten but no one gets away with anything. “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” (Revelation 20:12) Tell me again about Jesus—I’ve read my book!

3. God observes whether our reformation is partial or complete. This comes out in the fact that we are told Jehoram "put away the image or ‘statue’ that his father had made," but he did not destroy it. Putting something in the basement or the attic is the perfect place to put something for the next generation to discover. God's Word is plain and simple. God means business. "Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces.” (Exodus 23:24)Don't put that junk in the basement or in the attic.  Sin isn’t limited or personal. Contrary to modern belief—sin effects everyone and every thing. It is perpetuated in generations—and sometimes—more severely than in the previous generations. Clean out the basement and the attic—get rid of it and don’t bring it up again.

4. God duly notes our continuance in sin. Here it is recorded that Jehoram not only “clung to the sins of Jeroboam" but also that "he did not turn away from them” either!! His actions greatly aggravated his guilt. Consider criminal law—to purposely participate in wrongdoing indicates one state of mind. It is breaking the law and will put you behind bars for a while. But to deliberately continue to persevere takes a different state of mind—one of premeditation and process of thought which is much worse. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” (Proverbs 23:7) Be careful what you think about.

You’re in trouble…so NOW you come to Me?

As we ponder this episode in 2 Kings 3, we discover the ups and downs in Israel’s development. We begrudgingly admit or realize that there really is no new thing under the sun. Discontentment, strife, jealousies and blood-shedding have characterized the relations of one nation to another all throughout history. Instead of working together, sharing resources, mutually respecting and being at peace with one another, (Romans 12:18) people and whole nations alike make choices that cause more damage than wars. They enslave whole people groups into mental prisons of bitter enmity toward one another. Remember this and where we came from: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.” (Titus 3:3)

Back to our story: a complicated situation arose between the neighboring nations of Israel, Judah and Moab. The powerful neighbors to the South, the Moabites, rebelled against and threatened their Judean neighbor. Where do we run to when we need help? Someone we trust and someone who is there for us! But, what happens when we DON’T know anyone and DON’T have a relationship with someone who is stronger than our enemy? Isolated, scared and without hope, people will practice self-defeating behaviors and do what is right in their own eyes—God’s chosen people had no one to turn to and there was no turning to the LORD for counsel and help. The LORD was the One who had previously given David success and previously brought the powerful Moabites into subjection and Jehoram should have turned to the LORD as Moab became a problem and they rebelled. 

…But Jehoram was a stranger to the LORD.

Note that Jehoram was quite willing for someone else to take the lead and that he made his plans without seeking counsel of God. Jehoram’s plan was to make friends with another ally to the East, the Edomites. Jehoram’s plan was obviously meant to secure the help, support and aid of the Edomites against the powerful Moabites. BUT, by going so far into the wilderness they met with a desert where there was no water. The three kings and their forces were in imminent danger of perishing. This struck terror into the heart of Jehoram and at once his guilty conscience took hold of him—we all know when the gig is up. Have you ever gone so far into the desert wilderness—you didn’t know if you could survive?

Our greatest need becomes a blessing when it drives us to depend on the LORD.

Here we see the difference between the faithless and the faithful in a time of dire calamity. One is tormented by a guilty conscience and thinks only of the LORD's wrath. The other remembers the LORD and has hope in the LORD’s mercy. In the days of Elisha the prophet, Elisha was the divine mouthpiece. In a moment of leadership humility, the king of Judah made inquiry for help from a prophet and not in vain. It is blessed assurance to observe that as the Lord takes note of the faithless and registers our sins. But, it is also blessed assurance that He also observes the actions of the faithful, placing on record the actions where the humble surrender to the LORD which is the very power of transformation, as well as, conviction. The LORD was their true defense in the hour of need and to the LORD the three kings turned for assistance. 

The unconventional character of the LORD’S help.

"And he said, This is what the LORD says, ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not see wind, neither shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that you may drink, both you, and your cattle, and your beasts.’ This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD.” (2 Kings 3:16-18)

As severe as this test was—when everything looked as dismal as dismal could be and all the outward signs of fulfillment were withheld, it was a trial of their faith and a test of their obedience which entailed a considerable amount of hard work. They needed to prepare for the blessing by doing the hard work—digging ditches. Had they continued to mistreat the LORD and ignore the prophet’s prediction, they would have been destroyed. But, they humbled themselves and listened to Elisha. As unconventional as it may have sounded, (as it still sounds) they made due preparation for the promised supply of water. They dug their ditches. They expected the LORD's blessings and prepared for them. 

Sometimes the miracle isn’t for us…it is for the Edomites.

Strikingly—this is revealed here. Sometimes it only takes ONE person to make a huge impact! It was solely for the sake of Judah’s king Jehoshaphat this miracle was performed and that the water of life was made available for the Israelites, as well as, the Edomites! God is not limited to blessing only those who believe in Him—all  of the sudden we are engaged with the gospel! The good news is that God loves everybody—every people group Jew and Gentile. God longs for everyone to discover that He is a good and loving God that will provide for His people. We consider this as a predilection of the good news for all people—it is the very gospel engaged in missionary activities that continues to live into the power of Word of the LORD who is Jesus himself. Consider His calling as your own:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me  to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Pastor Jen