by Abbie Tippie

Character. Character is often defined by the choices we make and the actions we take. In 2 Kings 3, we see a small peek into the lives of Joram, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. For these two men, their faithfulness and commitment to God (or lack thereof) are defining characteristics in their lives and affect how they view the world, especially when trouble comes their way.

For Joram, the author of 2 Kings describes him as doing “evil in the eyes of the Lord” (verse 2). He removed idols his father made, but substituted them with other evils. Removing one sin but clinging to another still caused Joram to turn his focus and commitment from the true God. Jehoshaphat, on the other hand, “was devoted to the ways of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 17:6), and Elisha knew that. The reason the three kings were able to gain a seat before Elisha was solely due to Jehoshaphat’s faithfulness to God.

Both of these kings respond in different ways when the situation turns desperate. Joram looks at the situation and see a problem: “Has the Lord called us three kings together only to hand us over to Moab?” (verse 10) Jehoshaphat views the circumstances at hand and seeks a solution: “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord through him?” (verse 11)

What is my response in times of trouble? Am I like Joram, only to see the problem at hand? Or am I like Jehoshaphat, seeking a solution and inquiring of the Lord for guidance? Have I substituted one idol for another, which distracts me from God? Or am I working to destroy evil strongholds in my life and walking faithfully with the Lord?

Your fellow traveler,
Abbie