For the Sake of One

Introduction

When I was growing up, 1 Corinthians 15:33 was often quoted to me: “Evil companions corrupt good morals.” The point was made that we had to be careful in choosing our associates. I now realize that the text is about associating with those who do not believe in the resurrection rather than a general statement about choosing friends. But the principle of carefully choosing associates is still valid.

In 2 Kings 3, Elisha is God’s prophet. I suspect that this chapter demonstrates God’s power through Elisha for the sake of the kings and also to explain how Moab was able to throw off the yoke of bondage from Israel. But there are some other lessons in this chapter. It has to do with influence and with choosing carefully those with whom we will associate. But there is also the lesson of the battle of good and evil in our world. As we study, let’s be impressed with the power of good to influence our world and then let’s resolve to be God’s representative in this world.

The Story

Ahab’s son, Joram, becomes king in Israel. As often happens when a new king ascends the throne, vassals of the former king rebel. Mesha, king of Moab, rebels against Israel. By the way, archaeological discovery made decades ago found what is called the Mesha Stele—a stone from this time frame in which Mesha, the king of Moab, records his exploits. It mentions God and the house of David, which makes it vitally important as an outside reference to God. The tribute which Moab paid is taken away as well. Joram decides he will fight against Moab. He asks Jehoshaphat as well as the king of Edom to join him in going to battle against Moab. The three kings head toward Moab through the desert of Edom.

After seven days of travel, they run out of water. Joram blames God. Jehoshaphat wants to inquire of God. A quick word about Jehoshaphat: This is the second time that he has wanted to inquire of God after he has already agreed to a plan of action. He has things backwards. Sometimes we may do the same thing—make up our minds about what we want to do and then ask God to bless it. We don’t want to be confused by the facts after we have our minds made up. Jehoshaphat would have done better to inquire of God first, then to act.

Elisha is sent for. Verse 14 is pointed. Only because of Jehoshaphat’s presence will Elisha even consider their request. Elisha says that God will provide water without rain. They will also defeat Moab and ruin the land by throwing stones into their fertile fields. The next day God fills the ditches with water. The Moabites, seeing the sun shining on the water and the reflection from the surrounding rocks, probably makes the water look red. The Moabite army assumes that the kings have fought against each other. They will attack and gain the plunder. Instead they walk right into the waiting Israelite army.

Lessons

Don’t underestimate the influence for good that a godly person can have. We tell our children to be careful about their associates. And we should. But we should also tell them that they can cause another to be better because of their good influence. Notice in 3:14. Elisha is blunt: It is Jehoshaphat’s presence that influences him to inquire of God. It is Jehoshaphat’s good which brings a favorable response from God. It was the influence of Jehoshaphat which brought Elisha into the picture.

Dennis Prager, a Jewish scholar and researcher, has been asked over and over again, “What good is religion?” He has answered that question with a story. Imagine that you are leaving work late in the evening. Your car is parked about 300 yards away and you have to walk through a dimly lit alley to get to your car. As you enter the alley, a group of 10 young men wearing leather jackets enter from the other end of the alley. Would you feel better if you knew that they had just come from a Bible study? When those around us see the impact the Lord makes on our lives, then they may turn their gaze toward him.

Here is the second lesson. Notice in 3:10. What is Joram’s reaction to no water supply? He blames God. But it was Jehoshaphat who gave a different slant on things. Instead of blaming God, he sought God’s intervention and wisdom to the situation. That is what Christians do. Godly people demonstrate a different perspective about the ills of life. It isn’t that we don’t bleed, hurt, and weep; rather, it is that we see the hand of God in whatever may be going on. Too often we adopt the world’s point of view. Too often we complain when we think life has treated us unfairly. Too often we demonstrate a worldly point of view when the ills of this world befall us. But the godly person sees things from a different perspective, and by doing so, that godly person’s influence is profound. As godly people, we see what others miss. When David fought Goliath, the Israelite soldiers said Goliath is too big to defeat; David said his God was bigger.

As God’s people, we see God at work. We consciously look for God’s power. Elisha said God would fill the area with water without rain. How does that happen? Only by the power of God. Whether it is for good or for ill, we see God at work. We may not know how he works, but we trust him to be at work largely because he has told us he would be working. Do not misunderstand. We hurt; we question; we get confused. But in our heart we say, “Blessed be the Name of the Lord.” We work to make sure that our first reaction is to stay close to God. This is work. This isn’t easy. It takes practice and lots of it.

How do we do this? I acknowledge that some of this is personality. Some have been raised to see the negative well before the positive, if they ever see the positive. Paul said in Philippians 4:8 that it was possible to think about good things. So let me suggest two ways to see things from a godly perspective and then for your influence to be felt in this world.

First, stay close to God. Read your Bible, pray, spend time with Him. It is amazing how things can look differently when our eyes are reading God’s word as much if not more than the newspapers or watching the nightly news. If we fill our minds with the garbage of this world, it will be difficult for us to have a godly perspective.

Second, take Jesus with you wherever you go. It is amazing how our thinking can change when we have Jesus with us. Envision Jesus seated with you in your office, seated with you as you browse on your computer, with you as you deal with the sales clerk, sitting with you at your meals. Allow him to be your constant companion, and the influence of a godly person cannot be underestimated. Jehoshaphat made a difference as king. So can we as godly people in this world. How is your influence? Is it leading others toward God, or is it too much like the world’s point of view?

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