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PAGE 18
King Mesha
The Blood Water Ditches
Because
of the sunlight, during this particular time of the day, the water looked bloody red to
Mesha and his men. Therefore having them to think that they were actually looking at real blood.
Bible Study Article Covers : 2 Kings 3:21-27
Short Recap
During the last couple of articles, we'd learned that,
after the death of Ahab's son, and successor Ahaziah. We find that Ahaziah's
younger brother, Jehoram (who by the way, was the last heir from within
Ahab's household) had just inherited the throne of Israel. But
unfortunately for Jehoram, this also meant, he had also inherited,
the current revolt that was at the time, gaining momentum from throughout the land. This was a
revolt, that was being lead by Mesha, the Moabite king. Now remember, king Mesha had started this rebellion against Israel, soon
after, king Ahab had met his demise. Ahab fell, as he was at the time, waging war against the
Syrian king, Ben-Hadad.
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Now it's believed, this rebellion had came about, because Mesha refused to continue to pay the tribute, that was due to Israel.
Keep in mind, this was a tribute, that had been put in place, since Ahab's forefathers.
Nonetheless,
this revolt that was being lead by king Mesha, placed Jehoram into an
embarrassing position.
This had became a situation, the new Israel king, simply couldn't ignore.
And this is why we find Jehoram, wasting no time, when it came to trying to crush Mesha, and his rebels.
So Jehoram went out, from within the Israel kingdom, in order to raise the largest army that he could.
Also keep in mind, Jehoram wouldn't stop there, for we also find, he had sent word to Jehoshaphat, the Judean king. And it would be during this time, we find Jehoram asking the Judean king, if he would join him in his quest, when it came to helping him to crush, Mesha's rebellion. And just like he did with Ahab, Jehoshaphat would agree to help the Israel king.
But on top of all of this, Jehoram would get an extra bonus as well, being that he would also gain the help, from the Edomites as well. Now I want to remind you, all of this had came about, because the Edomites at that time, we're a vassal of the Judean kingdom; and so therefore, because of this alliance, the Edom king, would automatically be drawn into this conflict, between Jehoram and Mesha's rebellion, regardless if he wanted to participate, or not.
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Is There A Prophet Among Us ?
Nonetheless, after Jehoram and his newly formed alliance, with the Judeans, and the Edomites, had decided to venture forth, when it came to their war campaign against Mesha, and his rebels; they started heading through the Desert of Edom. But it would be during this time, all wouldn't go well; for you see, being that after they had traveled, for only three days, into the desert, the three kings unfortunately learned, they had ran out of water. And not only did running out of water, hurt the people in their camps, but the unfortunate incident, tremendously affected their livestock as well.
Now it would be at this time, during this dire situation, Jehoshaphat insisted on seeking out, one of the Lord's prophets. So they ended up seeking out Elisha, for help. And by doing so, God ended up using the prophet, to foretell of them, being victorious, when it came to their war campaign , against the Moabites. And on top of this, the Lord also instructed Elisha, to have the three kings to go out, and make land ditches from throughout, the valley. What happens next, is something only the Lord could do:
"Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: 'You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water; and you, your cattle, and your other animals will drink. Know that this is an easy thing to do, from within the eyes of the Lord.' Know that He will also hand Moab over to you. For you will overthrow every fortified city, and every major town. You will cut down every good tree; stop up all the springs; and ruin every good field, with stones." -- 2 Kings 3:16-19
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Jehoram Starts Marching On Moab!
Nonetheless, as we move forward, we now find ourselves at the point, where word had just gotten back to Mesha. For this was a report, that had informed the Moabite king, Judah and Israel, were declaring war upon them. And after reading this, the Moabites shouted: Look... over there! They're marching on Moab! And because of this, Mesha called up every male, both young and old, therefore calling up all those, who could actually bear arms. And after doing this, he ordered them to be stationed, on the southern border.
However, another day would come and go, and once again, it was morning. And it would be at this time, the Moabites would see sunlight shining on the surface of the water, that had filled the ditches, the Lord had the three kings to dig, the previous day. And because of the sunlight, during this particular time of the day, the water looked bloody red to Mesha, and his men. Therefore having them thinking, they were actually looking at real blood. And because of this, they'd cried out: "That's blood! Judah and Israel, must have fought, and slaughter themselves. Now here we go, to the plunder... Moab!"
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Mesha's Surprise!
So the Moabites started their advancement, and soon, they would find
themselves marching into Israel's camp. However, unfortunately upon their entry, they
would soon find out, Judah and Israel did not slaughter each other,
after all. As a matter of fact, the opposing armies, that consisted of
Judah, Israel, along with the Edomites, were to be found well rested, and very capable. Oh yes, the Moabites had found, that they had made a very
crucial mistake.
And because of this, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, and the
king of Edom, easily fought off the Moabites; so much so, Mesha would soon find himself, and his men, in a full retreat. So Jehoram
and his allies, aggressively pursued the Moabites; destroying, and
slaughtering everything, they had came across their path. Not only
did the three kings, destroy all the Moabites towns; but they also threw stones, unto
every good field, therefore making those fields unproductive, being that they would now be completely
covered by stones. And not only this, Jehoram and his allies, dammed up every water spring,
as they cut down all the good trees, from within the land.
Know that, all that they did on that day, ended up fulfilling the prophecy that Elisha, had foretold, just a few days earlier: "But know that this is a simple thing for the Lord, for He will also make you victorious over the army of Moab! For you will conquer the best of their cities, even the fortified ones. You will cut down all their trees, stop up all their springs, and ruin all their good land with stones." -- 2 Kings 3:18,19
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Mesha Turns to Chemosh : Please Help Us!
Now when Mesha had seen, that at this point, from within the battle, defeat was inevitable. The Moabite king, begins rounding up 700 swordsmen. Mesha would use these men, so that he could try to escape. And he would attempt to do this, by going through the land of Edom. But again, much to his surprise, the Edomites would hold strong, by being able to fend off Mesha, and his 700 swordsmen. So this courageous, and successful stance, by the Edomites, ends up forcing the Moabite king, to retreat once again.
Soon after this had happened, Mesha finally realized, he had been soundly defeated, by the three kings. And because of this, we now find the Moabite king, reaching out to their pagan deity Chemosh. Mesha wanted Chemosh, to help aid him in battle. So Mesha asks Chemosh this favor, by offering up his successor to the crown, which so happened to be his first born son. Mesha made this declaration, as he stood on the top, of the wall to his city. He did this, so all could see.
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The Moabites find Encouragement through Chemosh
Lo, and behold, after the
Moabites had seen what Mesha had just done, they'd felt encouraged to
fight on. So they became very angry, and vengeful, when it came to
Jehoram, and his allies. And with this new found motivation, and
inspiration, the Moabites were able to hold what little ground, they'd
had left. And by doing so, this caused Jehoram, and his allies, to
give up fighting, as they returned back to their homelands...
victorious!
Note:
Now when it came to this false deity Chemosh; know that he was the main
demigod, both the Moabites, and the Ammonites had worshiped. In
fact, the Moabites were actually known as: "The People of Chemosh."
Also, Chemosh is seen as being "the god of war." This is why, he's also
seen by the Moabites, and the Ammonites, as having the
reputation, of delighting in dire situations, like chaos, murder and
destruction.
Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online
In The Next Upcoming Article :
Now that we find that Jehoram, Jehoshaphat and The Edom King have finally defeated king Mesha and his rebellion. Know that as we begin to move forward, the Sacred Record once again, turns our attention back towards the ministry of Elisha. Now who will Lord have Elisha help, this time around?
May God blessings be upon you, and thank you for your support
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