Read: 2
Kings 3; 1 Kings 12:25-32
The focus now shifts back to the political history
of Israel. Before delving into current affairs, Chapter 3 mentions King Joram’s
character. He was not as evil as his (grand)parents, Ahab and Jezebel. However,
he still affirms the public worship of the calves established by Jeroboam (1
Kings 12:25-32). It is interesting that Joram rejects Baal-worship, while adhering
to a different branch of idol worship. Looking to the origin of the calf idols
brings clarity to this question. Jeroboam saw that the Southern Kingdom had an
advantage: their capital city, Jerusalem, contained Yahweh’s temple. The
Israelite king feared that if his citizens went to Jerusalem to worship, their
loyalty would return to the house of David and the kingdoms would re-unite.
This would end his position of power. Thus, Jeroboam created a false system of
worship within his own borders. He hoped to satisfy his subjects’ drive to
worship and maintain their loyalty to the Northern Kingdom. Subsequent kings
maintained the calf-worship because it was the key issue on which the division
of the two kingdoms lay. Joram could repent of Baal worship, but this
repentance had no cost. Repenting of the calf worship could cost him his
kingdom. True repentance is that which comes regardless of personal cost.
Moab is southeast of Israel, bordering the eastern
coastline of the Dead Sea and the southern Jordan River. It became a vassal
state to Israel in the time of David. “David also defeated the Moabites …. So
the Moabites became subject to David and brought tribute” (2 Samuel 8:2 NIV).
In other words, David did not fully absorb the Moabite territory into Israel.
They had an inferior status and were required to pay annual taxes to Israel.
However, in daily affairs they retained a degree of independence. When the
kingdom split, Moab became a vassal state to the North. Moab had begun to rebel
during the reign of Ahaziah (1:1). Now Joram is king and he sees the importance
in immediately dealing with this uprising. Moab’s tribute was an important
source of income for Israel (v 4). Knowing that the task was too great for his
armies alone, Joram seeks the allegiance of King Jehoshaphat of Judah.
Jehoshaphat agrees and suggests attacking Moab from the south, through Edom.
Edom, laying between Judah and Moab, was Judah’s vassal state (2 Samuel 8:14).
As the kings of Israel, Judah, and Moab march, their
hope begins to dim. They are completely out of water. Jehoshaphat suggests
inquiring of a prophet and Elisha’s name is put forward. While Elisha at first
declines, he eventually agrees because he respects King Jehoshaphat. At the
direction of the Lord, the kings and their men fill the valley with ditches,
trusting that God will fill the ditches with water. Their faith is rewarded.
The ditches fill with water, which reflects light to make the valley appear to
be filled with blood. The Moabites assume that the armies of the three kings
slaughtered each other, so they move forward to pillage the camps. However, they
walk into their own demise. The Israelites invade the territory, kill the
rebellious Moabites, and destroy anything good in their land. The king of Moab tries
and fails to attack the Edomite camp. The Moabites are now desperate. The king
resorts to sacrificing his own son in an attempt to please the bloodthirsty
false god, Chemosh. This sacrifice repulsed even the evil Israelite king,
prompting him to return home.
Prayer and
Journaling
1. Reflect on your repentance. Do you repent of all sins, even the ones that
seem to benefit you, or only of sins that bring obvious detriments? Ask God to
give you a heart of true repentance out of reverence and love for Him.
2. Spend time in confession today. Ask God to
reveal any sins hidden in your heart. Confess and ask God to show you any
practical steps you need to take in repentance.
3. Just as the Israelites and their neighbours, the
Moabites, worshipped false gods, many of our neighbours worship false gods.
Pray for people you know who do not serve Jesus. Pray that God would open their
eyes to the futility of other religions and the powerful truth found in the
Cross of Jesus Christ.
