2Ki 3:13-15 | KingComments | STEP | Elisha was a man without fear. Without any respect for the high company, he said to the king of Israel that he wanted nothing to do with him. There was no spiritual connection. He even said sarcastically that Jehoram should go to the prophets of his parents. Jehoram’s answer was what he had said earlier that his predicament had been ordered by the LORD. Elisha said once again and more strongly that he didn’t want to have anything to do with Jehoram. The man remained wicked. The acknowledgement that the LORD had brought about the situation had not led him to repentance. All he wanted was to get out of this miserable situation, nothing more. It is because Jehoshaphat was in this company that Elisha didn’t turn around and leave. It seems, however, that he was so indignant by Jehoram’s attitude and also by that of Jehoshaphat that his mind had first to come to rest. For this he needed melodious, soothing music. Spiritually minded believers are not able to speak a word from the Lord in every circumstance. Sometimes such agitation may have arisen in the mind that it is necessary to come to rest first. There must be harmony in a situation of discord. This rest can sometimes be obtained by a melodious instrument. Christ is the heavenly harp player Who gives peace to troubled minds. Christ is the keynote to which every need in our lives can be attuned, so that the distress can be borne and there is promise of a solution. While the music is played, Elisha came to rest and the LORD’s hand came upon him. He then started to speak and declared what needed to be done. In the valley, a picture of the place of humility, trenches must be dug so that the trenches could be filled with water. Digging trenches so that they can be filled with water while there is drought, speaks of faith. Digging speaks of taking away earth. Dirt that prevents water from entering the trenches must be removed. Everything that can prevent water from flowing must be removed. In practice, this means that room must be made for the Word of God, of which water is a picture ( : ). Water is also a picture of the Holy Spirit ( ). Room for the Word of God also means room for the Spirit. Word and Spirit always work together. When trenches had been dug, they could be filled with water to save the kings and their armies and cattle: the more trenches, the more water. In that way they would be able to defeat Moab. What a lot of ‘earth’ sometimes needs to be removed from our lives and that of the local church before the living water of the Word can flow into our lives and the local churches. The digging does not fill the trenches with water. All we can do is make room for the water. By a miracle of the LORD, by the faith with which the trenches are dug, these trenches shall be filled with water. There are no accompanying, impressive signs, but when obstacles are removed, the way is cleared for the blessing of God. He will miraculously fill our lives, if they are lived in humility, with His presence. The filling of the trenches with water is seen as a matter that is “a slight thing in the sight of the LORD” ( ). The grace of God goes even further, for He would give Moab into their hand. If our lives are lived in the power of God’s Word and God’s Spirit, the result will be that the flesh is overcome. The victory will be total. God does not do half a job.

‏ 2 Kings 3:13-15

Elisha’s Counsel

Elisha was a man without fear. Without any respect for the high company, he said to the king of Israel that he wanted nothing to do with him. There was no spiritual connection. He even said sarcastically that Jehoram should go to the prophets of his parents. Jehoram’s answer was what he had said earlier that his predicament had been ordered by the LORD.

Elisha said once again and more strongly that he didn’t want to have anything to do with Jehoram. The man remained wicked. The acknowledgement that the LORD had brought about the situation had not led him to repentance. All he wanted was to get out of this miserable situation, nothing more. It is because Jehoshaphat was in this company that Elisha didn’t turn around and leave. It seems, however, that he was so indignant by Jehoram’s attitude and also by that of Jehoshaphat that his mind had first to come to rest. For this he needed melodious, soothing music.

Spiritually minded believers are not able to speak a word from the Lord in every circumstance. Sometimes such agitation may have arisen in the mind that it is necessary to come to rest first. There must be harmony in a situation of discord. This rest can sometimes be obtained by a melodious instrument. Christ is the heavenly harp player Who gives peace to troubled minds. Christ is the keynote to which every need in our lives can be attuned, so that the distress can be borne and there is promise of a solution.

While the music is played, Elisha came to rest and the LORD’s hand came upon him. He then started to speak and declared what needed to be done. In the valley, a picture of the place of humility, trenches must be dug so that the trenches could be filled with water. Digging trenches so that they can be filled with water while there is drought, speaks of faith. Digging speaks of taking away earth. Dirt that prevents water from entering the trenches must be removed.

Everything that can prevent water from flowing must be removed. In practice, this means that room must be made for the Word of God, of which water is a picture (Eph 5:26: Jn 15:3). Water is also a picture of the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:37-39). Room for the Word of God also means room for the Spirit. Word and Spirit always work together.

When trenches had been dug, they could be filled with water to save the kings and their armies and cattle: the more trenches, the more water. In that way they would be able to defeat Moab. What a lot of ‘earth’ sometimes needs to be removed from our lives and that of the local church before the living water of the Word can flow into our lives and the local churches.

The digging does not fill the trenches with water. All we can do is make room for the water. By a miracle of the LORD, by the faith with which the trenches are dug, these trenches shall be filled with water. There are no accompanying, impressive signs, but when obstacles are removed, the way is cleared for the blessing of God. He will miraculously fill our lives, if they are lived in humility, with His presence.

The filling of the trenches with water is seen as a matter that is “a slight thing in the sight of the LORD” (2Kgs 3:18). The grace of God goes even further, for He would give Moab into their hand. If our lives are lived in the power of God’s Word and God’s Spirit, the result will be that the flesh is overcome. The victory will be total. God does not do half a job.