For the Sake of One

Introduction

A. When I was growing up 1 Cor. 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. 2 Kings 3, Elisha is God’s prophet. But the kings of Israel and Judah have not associated with him yet. I suspect that this chapter is here to 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 tonight, 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

A. 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. 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. Recall that Jehoshaphat joined Ahab in battle previously. 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.

B. Elisha is sent for. Verse 14 is pointed. Only because of Jehoshaphat’s presence will Elisha even consider their request. Elisha tells them that they are to go out into the desert and dig ditches everywhere. God is going to fill the ditches with water. 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 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. Every city is destroyed except Kir Hareseth. The king of Moab sacrifices his firstborn son on the city walls. Israel retreats.

Lessons

A. Two lessons I want us to notice from this story and both surround Jehoshaphat. Why did he join forces with Joram? Why was he so agreeable to join with one who was outside the will of God? Perhaps Jehoshaphat had a vision for the reunification of God’s people. Perhaps he knew a divided kingdom was not God’s plan and so he did what he could to bring the kingdoms together. Perhaps it was this vision which eventually led him to give his son in marriage to the daughter of Ahab. And for a brief few years, although the kingdoms were led by men with different agendas, the two kingdoms worked together. Here is the lesson: a godly man with a vision can impact his world. That is what a vision will do for us. A person who sees things for what they can be rather than what they are is a rare person indeed. ILL. “Vision: Dare to Dream.” Perhaps Jehoshaphat saw what could be not just what was at the present.

B. But it is the second lesson which demands most of our attention. 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. ILL. “Influence: unseen.” When those around us see the impact the Lord makes on our lives then they may turn their gaze toward him.

C. Notice in 3:10. What is Joram’s reaction to no water supply? He blames God. But it was Jehoshaphat which 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. “ILL. Perspective: changed views.” As godly people we see what others miss. How do we do this?

D. I acknowledge that some of this is personality. Some have been raised to see the negative well before the positive it they ever see the positive. Some of this is raising. But 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. ILL. “Vision” Envision Jesus seated with you in your office, standing next to you as you go through the video store, 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 other toward God or is it too much like the world’s point of view. Invitation.

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