Thursday, May 16
Read 2 Kings 3
Think About It:
- In 2 Kings 3:16-19, it had to be incredibly difficult work for tired and thirsty men to dig ditches in the dry, barren ground in the desert. But, the water would only come if they obey the command that they were given from God through Elisha. The amount of water would depend on how many ditches they dug. Below are two quotations from Spurgeon regarding this scripture.
“If we expect to obtain the Holy Spirit’s blessing, we must prepare for his reception. ‘Make this valley full of trenches’ is an order which is given me this morning for the members of this church; make ready for the Holy Ghost’s power; be prepared to receive that which he is about to give; each man in his place and each woman in her sphere, make the whole of this church full of trenches for the reception of the divine water-floods.” (Spurgeon)
“But the most of people say, ‘Well, you know, of course, if God sends a blessing, we must then enlarge.’ Yes, that is the way of unbelief, and the road to the curse. But the way of faith and the road to the blessing is this: God has promised it – we will get ready for it; God is engaged to bless, now let us be prepared to receive the boon. Act not on the mere strength of what you have, but in expectation of that which you have asked.” (Spurgeon)
Notice that in response to their obedience God was not only going to give them the water that they requested, He was also going to give them victory over their enemy. What application for your own life do you find in this passage?
Family Time:
- The next king of Israel is Jehoram, another of Ahab’s sons. And of course, there is another battle in sight, this time with the King of Moab. So, there is King Jehoram, King of Israel, Jehoshaphat, King of Judah and the King of Edom all against the King of Moab. Which King again asks for a prophet of the Lord to inquire about the battle before they proceed.
- Elisha is called to the scene and he appears to want nothing to do with this situation, except he sees Jehoshaphat, King of Judah and he relents. He asks for a musician. What happened when the music stopped.
- Describe what the Lord said would happen to the land and to the Moabites. We can always trust what God says.
