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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 2 October 2025:
2 Kings 3:1-3 — In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twelve years. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, though not like his father and mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless, he clung to the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from it.
Jehoram was a man who tried to appear better than his father Ahab and his mother Jezebel, yet he never truly repented. Though he removed some external symbols of idolatry, his heart remained enslaved to sin. Outward reform is not the same as inward transformation. He “clung” to sin, and that one phrase tells the whole story. People may turn away from the obvious sins of others to make themselves look righteous, but unless the heart is surrendered to God, sin still rules. Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Jehoram’s life illustrates how partial repentance is no repentance at all, and repentance begins in the heart for those who appreciate that sin doesn’t just break a rule but rather our relationship with God (and others). Jesus reserved His harshest rebukes for the Pharisees who were guilty of prideful externalism — “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27-28)
Character cannot be compartmentalized. All the good you do in one area of your life will not make up for the bad you continue to do in another area of your life. To claim a virtue as part of your character, you must be consistent in it because it is not just what you do but who you are, your passions are God’s passions. How many times does a person have to lie before they are viewed as dishonest? Trust is hard to earn but easily lost.
Don’t cling to sin in any area of your life, and don’t tell yourself any sin is too tempting for you to overcome – you have been empowered by the Holy Spirit, and the power of God within you is far greater than your temptation. Remember, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) Notice in this verse that sin is described as “overtaking you,” not overpowering you. Also notice that God will not let you be tempted beyond your ability (you are able to resist it), and God provides “the” way of escape, not “a” way of escape. There is only one way of escape, to trust in Jesus Christ and to choose to obey Him out of love rather than obeying your passions. Also, notice that this takes endurance. Temptations are continuous, but the Presence of God is also continuous, and “God is faithful.” You must choose to act in faith in response to God’s faithfulness. The responsibility is yours (response ability) to use the gift of grace and power God has already given you to honor and glorify Him in the moment of decision. You are not a mere victim to sin; you are a victor in Christ, so act like it.
– Proverbs 25:26 — Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
2 Kings 3:4-7 — Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he had to deliver to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. So King Jehoram marched out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel. And he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to battle against Moab?” And he said, “I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
Jehoshaphat once again bound himself to a sinful king in an unwise alliance. Just as he had foolishly aligned himself with Ahab in 1 Kings 22, here he aligns himself with Ahab’s son Jehoram, a man who “clung to sin.” Instead of inquiring of the Lord first, Jehoshaphat jumped into agreement.
Trouble often plagues us because we make decisions without consulting God first. Who we partner with in life matters greatly. Scripture warns us, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14) and “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Jehoshaphat was a godly man, but his compromises entangled him in battles that were not his to fight. This passage presses us to consider carefully who we join ourselves to in business, in marriage, in friendships, and in causes.
– 1 Corinthians 15:33 — Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
2 Kings 3:8-10 — Then he said, “By which way shall we march?” Jehoram answered, “By the way of the wilderness of Edom.” So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The LORD has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.”
Jehoram, who had never sought God when things were going well, immediately blamed God when trouble came. He was quick to conclude that the Lord had brought them to ruin. Yet the real problem was that none of the kings had asked God before launching into this campaign. Many times our struggles and crises come not because God is against us, but because we never sought His counsel in the first place (James 4:13-15). How different might this story have been if Jehoshaphat and Jehoram had first asked the Lord’s will?
2 Kings 3:11-12 — And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here, through whom we may inquire of the LORD?” Then one of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
Even in their folly, God made His word available to them through His prophet. He is merciful to give us guidance when we have gone astray. The Word of God is always available to us. The real question is: will we seek it, and when we hear it, will we obey it?
Elisha was recognized not for worldly power or charisma but for humble service — “…he poured water on the hands of Elijah.” Faithful service in small things prepares a person for greater responsibility in God’s kingdom (Luke 16:10).
2 Kings 3:13-14 — And Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No; it is the LORD who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” And Elisha said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you.”
Elisha had no interest in flattering ungodly kings or pretending that all was well. He confronted Jehoram’s hypocrisy directly. The king had ignored God until crisis struck, and now he wanted the prophet’s help. Elisha made it clear that if it weren’t for Jehoshaphat’s presence, he would not have given Jehoram the time of day. God often extends mercy to the unrighteous because of the faithfulness of the righteous (Genesis 18:32; 2 Peter 3:9). Yet this passage is also a warning: God’s word is not a toy to be used in emergencies — it is His living voice, calling for repentance and obedience every day. We must live in and by God’s word continually – we must embody His word.
– Matthew 4:4 — But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
– John 8:31 — So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
– John 15:7 — If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
2 Kings 3:15-18 – “But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the LORD, I will make this dry streambed full of pools.… This is a light thing in the sight of the LORD. He will also give the Moabites into your hand.”
The Spirit of God filled Elisha in the moment of worship, reminding us that God often speaks most clearly in an atmosphere of praise. The promise was astounding: God would miraculously provide water in the desert without wind or rain, and He would give victory over Moab as well. What seemed impossible was a “light thing” in the sight of the Lord. Nothing is too hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:17). We must remember that what overwhelms us is small before the Almighty.
2 Kings 3:19-27 — You shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree and stop up all springs of water and ruin every good piece of land with stones.… When the king of Moab saw that the battle was going against him, he took with him 700 swordsmen to break through, opposite the king of Edom, but they could not.… Then he took his oldest son… and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. And there came great wrath against Israel. And they withdrew from him and returned to their own land.
The victory God gave was complete, yet the chapter closes with a haunting scene. The king of Moab, desperate and wicked, sacrificed his own son on the city wall. Even in victory, Israel was reminded of the horrific depths of idolatry and rebellion against God. Though God delivered water and gave them victory, the mission still ended in bitter grief. Sin always leaves scars.
“Sickened by the maddened spectacle of senseless human sacrifice, the allies lifted the siege and returned to their homes.” (Patterson and Austel)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 2 October 2025: 2 Kings 3 teaches us to seek God’s counsel first, not after we’ve already made our decisions. Jehoshaphat was a godly king, yet his partnerships with ungodly men dragged him into unnecessary conflict. Like him, we may love the Lord yet still suffer when we join ourselves to the wrong people, ideas, or causes. Before entering into any agreement, partnership, or major life decision, pause to seek the Lord’s will. Today, practice this by taking every decision, even small ones, to prayer first. Ask God, “Is this from You? “Is this aligned with your will?” Will this glorify You?” Refuse to “cling” to sin as Jehoram did, and instead cling to Christ (John 15:4).
Pray: “Father, forgive me for the times I have made decisions without seeking You first. Teach me to inquire of You in all things, large and small. Keep me from being entangled in alliances that dishonor You. Help me to cling not to sin but to Christ alone. Give me faith to trust that what overwhelms me is a light thing in Your sight. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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