2 KINGS 3 (SUMMARY OF AN ADDRESS)
2 KINGS 3 (SUMMARY OF AN ADDRESS)
The circumstances of 2 Kings 3 are peculiar and, therefore, contain special instruction which one would, by the Lord’s favour, like to gain.
Jehoram wrought evil, but not like his father and mother. The king of Moab rebelled against him. Moab had been subdued by David and had been tributary for a long time to Israel. But in a day of great departure they rebelled. They had been a snare to Solomon (1 Kings 11: 7) and were under judgment from God. How often is that the case, things which apparently have been subdued exercise a corrupting influence and eventually show their true character. They then become the subject of judgment.
It would seem that it was right for Moab to be smitten, but it was an unholy partnership for Jehoshaphat to enter into. One would have thought that his previous experience would have warned him; he had proved God’s care so that when he cried out he was helped and his life was spared. Here Jehovah brought severe discipline on the three kings and their armies, but it was to bring out, in the result, the abounding of His grace. God is seen here as considering for what is faithful even when it is found in evil associations. It brings out that grace predominates in the ways of God, and we should never forget this. The more the truth opens out to us the more is grace magnified in our thoughts, from Romans to Ephesians. The burnt offering and the ascension are the measure of grace. Grace takes account of all that is good in the christian profession. We [p. 170] see the character of it in Acts, chapters 2, 3 and 4. But it is grace such as it shows itself to be in a day of great departure.
But the prophet needs a minstrel here as bringing out the special character of the occasion. I take it that the thought of the minstrel is that the prophet wished to have brought before himself the character of grace as outside and above all circumstances here. I take it that the hymn book is our minstrel. When you have not known what to do, have you ever thought of the hymn book? “Singing with grace in your hearts to God”, Colossians 3: 16. Grace flows in the channels we make for it; that is, as we make room for God He comes in. There is as much of the Spirit available as we make room for, more particularly here for inward satisfaction. The meeting of the inward state is the first thing; we all know that it is so. Whatever need there is, whatever enemy has to be faced, the inward state must be met first. Then there is power to deal with Moab. It is seen here as something to be utterly destroyed in its strength and its resources. It was to be a snare no more. It has proved to be rebellious though it had been tributary.
In time of conflict God would make us think first of our own state. He would produce thirst so that His supply may be known. “In the morning, when the oblation was offered up, ... there came water” (verse 20). It is as Christ gets His place in our hearts as before God that the water comes. Most abnormal conditions are seen here but God is supplying all that is needed so that the enemy may be defeated and his power destroyed.
The object of this chapter is to bring out what was available in the ministry of Elisha notwithstanding the most abnormal conditions. There was a testimony of resource in Jehovah. I think Moab may represent features of the flesh which may be held in check for a long time but eventually they break out in their true character. “All seek their own things” (Philippians 2: 21) is a very great feature of the flesh — lovers of self, pride. The pride of the flesh may be checked for a long time and then break out in a rebellious form. But in conditions of departure there is no power to deal with such an outbreak.
Water came by the way of Edom. The divine supply does not come through any accredited channel. The great truth of the presence of the Spirit has not been ministered by those looked up to by christians generally. It has come through those who would be looked down upon as belonging to an inferior order of man. In the day when Christ has His place with His people, the flesh is held in check and may seem to be tributary. We are apt to trust the flesh when it seems to contribute.
They are brought into such a state that the need of a prophet of Jehovah is felt. “The word of Jehovah is with him”. It is the word of Jehovah in grace at a time when all seems to be hopeless. Inward satisfaction comes first then power over the Moabites.
The offering of the king’s eldest son would seem to be an idolatrous offering to demons, and the Moabites were utterly unsubdued in spirit. “There was great wrath against Israel” (verse 27).
Ditches would indicate how we lay ourselves out for what is of the Spirit by getting to all the meetings, reading the ministry and keeping company with those who speak of the Lord’s things. Among these things we know that the Spirit will flow in.