if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah(2 Kings 3 note)

2 Kings 3:1-27

Key verse 14 Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you.

1.                [1-3] Who is Joram (1)? What did he do (2b)? How was his rule assessed (2a)? Why (2b-3; Ref 10:29)?

The name “Joram” instead of original name ‘Jehoram’, was used by NIV so as to avoid confusion with another Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. Joram was the brother of Ahaziah and the son of Ahab. Ahaziah died early without any heir, and his brother Joram took the kingdom.  Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram and in the 18^th year of Jehoshaphat, Joram became king in Israel.

His life was summed up in two things: he removed the Baal (his brother Ahaziah died as he sought the help of Baal) but clung to the sin of Jeroboam. “clung’ is a strong word. He adhered to what Jeroboam set up in Samaria—pagan and syncretic belief system. The author condemned him for following the sin of Jeroboam.

What Joram did must be understood within the frame of God’s prophecies concerning Ahab’s family:

1 kgs 19: 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.

1 kgs 20: 42 He said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have set free a man I had determined should die.  Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.’ ” 43 Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria.

1 Kgs 21:29 “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it to his house in the days of his son.”

2.                [4-12] When and why did the king of Moab rebel against Israel (4-5)? What did Joram decide to do (6)? Who joined with him (7-9a)? What problem did they face (9b)? What was Joram’s complain and Jehoshaphat’s suggestion (10-12)? 

Moab rebelled against Israel soon after the death of Ahab (2 Kgs 1:1). Actually, Moab had been under Israel since King David. As the nation was divided into two, Israel and Judah, Moab became under Israel, the major force of the two divided nations.  As Joram became king, the first business was to take back Moab under the control of Israel.

According to the Law, if Israel follows the law well, then God would bless them to prosper and then to have many vassal nations. This was exactly what happened during the time of King David and Solomon. In other words, God was using Israel as the vehicle to implement His rule (the law of justice) over other nations. But if they do not keep the Law, then they would not have God’s blessing and could not rule other nations (Deut 15:6; 28:7,13,25).  In this periscope, we are to reason and understand Joram’s war against Moab.

Moab had been Israel’s vassal kingdom for a long time. But soon after the death of Ahab, they rebelled and did not pay the tribute to Israel. Since his brother Ahaziah could not because of his early death, it was not only proper but also well justified for Joram to do this. After mustering his army, he asked for help of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, his in-law. Also, Joram chose the way through Edom, southward and the cross the Arabah (Dead Sea basin) and then northward to Moab.  It was a long and difficult and unexpected route. Yet he chose this way: most likely to get the help of Jehoshaphat and Edom with him. This seems to indicate his insecurity.

As the three kings went after a roundabout—crossing Arabah and heading toward north--, they ran out of water. When it was found that they had no water, the king of Israel exclaimed:

10 “What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the LORD called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?”

We are to note four things from what Joram said: first, he took this as the mission given or approved by YHWH. Second, though he took this as the right way in the eyes of the LORD(YHWH), he had some doubt on YHWH’s full support—betraying his insecure relationship with YHWH. Third, he took this as the mission of the three kings. Fourth, he could not imagine that YHWH would subject these three kings to Moab, which was far inferior to Israel and Judah and Edom in regard to their spiritual and moral righteousness.  The most prominent characteristic of the nation Moab was her sexual immorality.  In no way, Moab could match with Israel, Judah, and even Edom in their spiritual and moral uprighteousness. Simply Israel was right and just far better than Moab and God should never deliver them unto the hands of Moab.

While the king of Israel was caught with fear and uncertainty, Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of the LORD. When he was informed of the fact that Elisha was nearby, he recognized Elisha and his servant-ship of the LORD. It is good to note that Elisha was a prophet of Israel, not Judah. Yet, Jehoshaphat knew him better than the king of Israel (Joram). Through his leadership, these three kings went to see Elisha, the prophet of the LORD(YHWH) in search of His direction.

Here also, we are to note that the name Joram appeared last in v 6. From then on, instead of his name, the author used ‘king of Israel’.   It was likely to show disrespect to King Joram.  In addition, it connotes an idea of disdain on how the nation Israel was operating under the system concocted by Jeroboam out of his sinful and syncretic desire with the purpose of upholding the king and his dynasty. In other words, the king of Israel stood in contrast to the king of Judah, which was run and sustained by the LORD.   This was further shown in the remarks of Elisha.

3.                [13-19] Why did Elisha reject Joram’s call for help (13a)? Why did he change his mind (13b-14)? When Elisha sought God’s word, what was His answer (15-19)?

From this point on, Joram was not just a man, but the king of Israel. Elisha showed his disdain and contempt to the king of Israel.

13 Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Why do you want to involve me? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.”

Even though he removed the stone of Baal, he was still operating the country with the system that his father and mother set up (clung to the sins of Jeroboam v3).  According to Elisha, as long as he was living or operating the nation under such a system and belief, the LORD would not do any favor for you as well as for your kingdom. Not only the king but also the nation as a whole was not worthy of the LORD’s blessing. This was surely a simple rejection of the favor he was seeking. But also, it was an implicit suggestion that if he wanted help from the LORD, then go back and change the nation.

Joram’s answer was a remarkable one.

“No,” the king of Israel answered, “because it was the LORD who called us three kings together to deliver us into the hands of Moab.”

The writer clearly indicated that it was Joram who initiated this war and made all the decisions, including calling for Jehoshaphat, and Edom, the decision to attack from the south. He did not ask the Lord any questions or called for counsel from the LORD or His prophets. Yet, he said it was the LORD who called the three kings and He led them stuck into this dilemma with an intention to deliver them into the hand of Moab. Simply he was saying that it was the LORD’s fault in leading them this far, as they were about to be annihilated by Moab. Where did he get this idea? He was saying that the LORD must support them actively. Instead, He led them to destruction. This was a wrong view of the LORD. Elisha totally ignored him. But he said:

14 Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you.

Elisha would listen to him because of his respect for Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah.  Simply Joram was not up to par with the LORD enough to get any attention from HIM. Ignored, unheeded, alienated, and unattended!! Though he had some respect and honor to the LORD, his respect was at best alongside pagan gods or without total trust or submission. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law for their hypocrisy; they praised the Lord but their hearts were far from him. As far as the LORD, YHWH, was a concern, such belief, or syncretic belief was not a genuine belief or respect. It’s rather an apostasy or defamation to the LORD’s glory and holiness.

Today, many people walk around with such a belief like Joram thinking that he/she believes and any hardship comes to him/her, it was the LORD’s fault. And blames the LORD for His unfairness or even unkind or unrighteous or hateful God.

Nevertheless, Elisha sought God’s word and He gave this word to Elisha.

16 and he said, “This is what the LORD says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. 17 For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18 This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. 19 You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones.”

God’s message has two parts: first, he would send water: the LORD will fill the valley full of water enough for the entire army including their cattle. Since you would see the water even if there were no wind, and no rain, you would understand that it was the LORD who did this for you.

Second, He would deliver Moab into their hands: the details are overthrow of major city and every major town—how? By cutting down every good tree, stop up all springs and ruin good fields. We are to note that the LORD did not mention anything about people or damage to the people of Moab.

4.                [20-27] When did they see and what (20)?  Why did Moab attack first (21-23)? How did Israelites defeat them (24-25)? What did the King of Moab attempt and fail (26)? What did he do as his last resort to fend off Israelites? (27a) Then, why did Israelites withdrew (27b)?

It was the time of morning offering when they saw the water flowing from the direction of Edom. This implies that the LORD accepted the morning sacrifice in the temple in Jerusalem and responded with His blessing in this way. The LORD heard their plea and when they complied with the cultus according to the Law of Moses, the LORD was happy to bless by exerting His mighty power. By doing so, the LORD not only indicated that Israel as well as Judah must adhere to what God had set in the temple of Jerusalem. The LORD would not accept any other cultic rituals apart from the LORD had set in the Law of Moses. This was an implicit rejection of what Israel did in Samaria. Though they had a complete system, very similar to what was at Jerusalem, in and of the name of YHWH, the LORD(YHWH) would not accept and would not bless them.

The water reflected under the sunshine of the morning gave Moab an illusion that it was full of blood. They believed that the three kings fought against each other and shed so much blood and attacked Israel and their associates. But as the LORD said, they were defeated and lost all towns except one, Kir Hareseth. Also, as the LORD said, Israel could stop up all springs and cut down good trees, making all pasture unusable. As the last resort, the king of Moab tried to make through Edom’s army. But he failed this as well. As they ran out of any possibility to survive, the king sacrificed his son their god on the city wall. But for some reason, this act of sacrifice led to a great fury against Israel. Israel withdrew and returned to their own land without achieving the real purpose of this war, the subjugation of Moab under the power of Kingdom Israel.

Here we are to note two things: as God said, he would do, He delivered Moab into the hand of Israel. Israel could defeat Moab. But Israel felt a great fury and was forced to withdraw without achieving the goal to make Moab a vassal under Israel. “great fury” came upon Israel so hard that she could not fight anymore. We do not know exactly what was the nature and source of that fury, though most likely it was from the LORD. It had to do with ‘righteousness’ or ‘justice’: Was Israel just enough to condemn Moab to total annihilation? The answer was no. Israel was as much sinful as Moab in the eyes of the LORD. If there was a difference in Israel, it was God’s promise. Nevertheless, He would not let the unjust (Israel) to bring their justice to the other unjust (Moab).

This was the commanding principle of God in allowing His people to conquer the land of His blessing. These are two examples, whereby the LORD set such a principle.

1)      God punished Israel by sending venomous snakes for their complaining in unbelief. God redeemed them through the bronze snake on the pole. After that, Israel defeated Moab, King Sihon, and Og on the east side of Jordan.

2)      Israel was defeated as they attacked Ai because of their sins. When the sin was purged from the community, they went back and defeated Ai.

5.                Discuss the purpose of this war and why Joram could not achieve the purpose.

Joram thought that he could subjugate Moab and her king. But at the last and most critical moment, he and his army had to withdraw because he and his people could not withstand ‘fury’. How this came up to them was unrevealed. But the passage made it clear that it was Israel’s retreat by being forced not by the mighty army of Moab but by ‘fury’ which Joram and Israel army could not stand with. Most likely it was about their sin and ungodly practice of pagan belief for which they were severely chastised and became unable to bring final judgment on Moab or the punishment that they deserved.

After all its God’s justice on Israel and Moab, punishing both as they were worthy of.  By doing so, the author/Lord was speaking that unless Israel conformed to the Law of Covenant fully including the worship at the Jerusalem temple, they could not keep their superiority over other nations as Davidic dynasty had and also LORD’s blessing won’t come to them even if he made an association with a godly king like Jehoshaphat.

Jesus said to his followers this: Mat 5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.