Is There No Prophet?

2 Kings 3:9-12

9 So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out; and when they had made a roundabout march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that were with them. 10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The Lord has summoned us, three kings, only to be handed over to Moab.” 11 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” Then one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah, is here.” 12 Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Upon the death of Ahab, the Moabites revolted against Israel.  Three kings banded together to stop the revolt; the king of Israel (who was Jezebel’s son), the king of Judah, and the king of Edom.

They marched their armies for seven days and stopped at a wadi that had no water for their armies or for the animals. The king of Israel feared that they would be defeated by the Moabites.  It was at this time of great physical need that they realized their great spiritual need.  They realized they needed the one true God.

Sometimes it takes a Moabite rebellion for us to discover that we cannot save ourselves.

“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"  Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:25-26)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)