But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” (2 Kings 3:11)
Expanded Passage: 2 Kings 3:6-11
A close look at the events reported in the historical books helps you notice that many events are repeated in other places or under different regimes. With just a little effort, we understand that many seemingly similar historical events also occurred in different periods.
The event reported in 2 Kings 3 concerning Moab’s revolts looks like, in many respects, another one that happened earlier related to the coalition of Ahab and Jehoshaphat against the king of Aram to retake Ramoth Gilead (1 Kings 22). Despite the division of Israel, King Joram of the northern kingdom, son of Ahab, called on King Jehoshaphat in Judah and the king of Edom to put down the rebellion of the king of Moab. When Jehoshaphat asked about the attack strategy, Joram said he would go through the Desert of Edom, and the army experienced thirst there. When the king of Israel, the initiator of the war, questioned Jehoshaphat about the destiny of the war, he replied by asking for a prophet of the Lord to inquire about his will.
As we lead God’s people, desert moments symbolizing hardship will always come around. We need to call on God and keep our cool so as not to give in to panic. Those following us have their eyes set on us, and we must fix ours entirely on God.
When facing challenges in the desert, rely on God instead of panicking.
Handy Calixte is the national director of Christian education for L’Église Wesleyenne d’Haïti. He is pursuing an MDiv at Wesley Seminary and studying biblical Hebrew at Israel Institute of Biblical Studies.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
