God Determines Wars

God Determines Wars

2 Kings 3:13~27

□ Praise and Sharing

 

 Hymn #585 My Lord is a strong castle

 Way Maker

 How was your last week?

 

 In life, everyone is bound to encounter situations like war. When you are in fear and confusion and cannot gauge success or failure, there is one truth that believers must remember. It is true that ‘war belongs to God’ (1 Samuel 17:47). Through today's text, we can see that God not only protects His faithful servants even in such war-like situations, but also blesses those around them.

 

□ The Word and Sharing

1. Elisha delivers the word of God to the kings who come to him (verses 13-20).

1) Why does Elisha speak the word of God to Jehoram, the king of Israel, who does not trust God (verse 14)?

14 And Elisha said, As the LORD Almighty lives, before whom I stand, if I had not seen the face of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not have turned to you or seen you before him.

 

Elisha sees the face of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and delivers the word of God to Jehoram, king of Israel.

 

2) What is the strategy that God revealed (verse 16)?

16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make many streams of water in this valley.

 

The strategy that God revealed to the kings through Elisha was, “Dig many streams in this valley.”

 

3) What was the promise God made, and what was the result (verses 17, 20)?

17 For the LORD said, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, so that you and your livestock and your animals can drink.’

20 In the morning, at the time of the grain offering, water came from Edom and filled the land.

 

God promised that this valley would be filled with water so that you and your livestock and your animals could drink.

 As a result, in the morning, when the grain offering was being offered, water flowed from Edom and filled the land.

 

<Sharing 1> God saved the kings of Israel and Edom for the sake of Jehoshaphat, the faithful king of Judah. God blesses the world through his people (Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you).. Let’s share if there is a time when God blessed the environment and people around me through me.

 

During our foreign ministry, there was a case where a fire broke out in a factory, but it recovered after receiving prayers and the company moved to a better location.

 

<Sharing 2> God does not need human help, but he ordered the Israelite army to dig a hole. It is a measure to participate in God's work of salvation, and it is a command that requires the practice of faith. Since we believe in God's promises, let's talk about what tasks in life we ​​must put into practice with faith.

 

 

Evangelism, service (Korean language study, vehicle service), and Bible study are needed to gain new believers and nurture them.

 

2. God’s strategy give Israel victory (verses 21-27).

1) What judgment did the Moabite army make when they saw the water in the pool? (verses 22-23)

22 When the Moabite rose early in the morning, they saw that the sun was shining on the water, and the water on the other side was red, like blood.

23 They said, “This is blood, for sure the kings fought and killed one another. Now, you Moabites, let’s go and take the plunder.”

 

When the Moabites saw that the sun was shining on the water and the water on the other side was red and like blood, they said, “This is blood, for sure these kings fought and killed each other.” They said, “Now, men of Moab, let us go for plunder.”

 

2) How does Israel attack the unguarded Moabite army (verses 24-25)?

 

24 When they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up against the Moabites and made them flee before them. Then they entered the border and struck down the Moabites.

25 They struck down the cities and tore them down. Every man threw a stone and filled every good field. He filled up all the springs of water and cut down every good tree. He left the stones of Gilharesheth and the slingshots went around and struck them down.

 

Israel attacked the Moabite army, almost annihilating it, and laying waste to its cities.

 

<Sharing 3> Digging ditches did not seem to have much to do with winning the war. However, God gave us victory through that ditch in an unexpected way. If you have ever experienced God’s work beyond your thoughts and methods, let’s share.

 

While helping a Pakistani person move his office, I met a new co-worker and together we are doing ministry for foreigners.

 

□ Let's pray together

God, let us not forget that ‘war belongs to God’ and rely on God to fulfill the mission given to us well, so that we can become channels of blessing like Abraham!

Let us become a community that recognizes God’s ways that surpass our thoughts!

 

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