II Kings 3:16
Here are a few indications of how God uses the foolishness of prophecy to deliver the people of God.
- The words of the prophet sometimes make no sense to the natural mind.
King Jehoram, king of Israel and Samaria, (‘God is high’) did not serve God properly, and Mesha king of Moab rebelled against Jehoram with 2 other kings. Jehoram (son of Ahab) was fearful and called the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, (‘God has judged’) to help him.
There was no water for the soldiers and animals, and they thought they would all perish. But Jehoshaphat asked, ‘is there no prophet of the Lord here?’ One of the men said, ‘Elisha the prophet is here.” So, they called Eilsiha, but the prophet could not prophesy.
The atmosphere and the mood were not conducive to anything spiritual. Jehoram continued in the sins of his father, the soldiers were fearful and there was no faith except in Jehoshaphat. People were depressed, because of the overwhelming odds. There seemed no way out. So, the prophet asked for a musician to play. Music changes the atmosphere. Anointed music can bring God on the scene. When we praise God, He inhabits our praises!
Then Elisha spoke: ‘dig ditches!’ Why? No reason is given. It is illogical. They face a great enemy that is ready to destroy them, and the prophet’s advice is to dig ditches? What difference will that make? You dig graves when you are ready to die!
There was no water for the animals or soldiers, so Elisha said, make the valley full of ditches. There was no rain, yet the valley shall be full of water that the soldiers and animals can drink. (II Kings3:17)
But King Jeshophat, whose name means ‘God has judged’, believed and obeyed the word of Elisha (‘God is salvation’). If you believe the words of a true prophet, you shall prosper! Even though the words of the prophet made no sense to the natural mind, the King obeyed it because he believed the prophets.
- The results of believing the words of the prophet
In the morning, at the time of the morning grain offering, the ditches were filled with water. The red morning sun shone on the water and it looked like blood to the Moabites! All they could see was blood! They thought the kings attacked and slew each other’s armies and they went to gather the spoil. But Israel & Judah’s armies were ready and waiting for them, attacked them and defeated the Moabites!
- God will do more than you require!
Then Elisha added: ‘and this is a trivial thing in the sight of the Lord. He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.’ Not only did God provide for the soldiers and animals, but also gave victory to the armies of Israel, Samaria & Judah!
Whenever we have communion together to remember the Lord’s death, all the enemy of our souls can see is the blood of Jesus! When he tries to attack us, the Lord defeats Him! The battle is the Lord’s! We are more than conquerors through Him that strengthens us continually! He is Jehovah Jireh our Provider and He is also the Lord of Battle! He gives us victory!
More than overcomers, more than conquerors in life
He causes us to triumph over sin and over strife
He has given us the weapons that we really need
By faith in our Savior we are overcomers indeed!
(from my album, ‘Travelling Man’ with the Blues Band)
Ditches were dug in Jesus’ body on the cross. When the enemy saw the blood, he thought Jesus was defeated, but it brought the greatest victory ever! Jesus defeated the enemy because of the ditches in his hands & feet and in his side!
In the body of Christ, we are covered by the blood of Jesus. All the enemy can see is the blood. He thinks he can defeat us, but we are covered by the blood of Jesus that defeated him on the cross! The brokenness of our lives are the ditches that carry the blood of Jesus throughout the body of Christ. Our weakness relies on His strength. In Him we have the victory!
There have been some tremendous prophecies recently, for instance at the summit through Apostle Aje, God said, He is going to do a work in our time, that if it was told to us now, we would not even believe it! How wonderful is that? God is ready to do something for you that you won’t believe!
God uses the foolishness of prophecy to strengthen the saints. We rejoice in believing the prophecies! Amen.
Photo by Stephen Kraakmo