Who You Know Matters

Introduction

Who you know matters. Back in summer of 2017 I was at an internship with a preacher in Ohio. I was sitting in the church office when I got a phone call. I looked at the ID and it said “Jerry Paul.” I thought it was pretty random for him to be calling in July. But he had a proposition for me. He told me about a church in a small town that he was filling in at, he thought I’d be a good fit for the congregation. After praying about it, preaching there a few times, and meeting with the elders I started my first ministry on January 7th, 2018. All because Jerry played matchmaker. Who you know matters

How many opportunities have you had because you knew the right person? A new job on the horizon, a chance meeting for a relationship, or guilt by association moments. Who you know can make all the difference.

In our Bible text today we find out that it’s really important who you know. (2 Kings 3)

I. Historical Background (v. 1-9)

A. Elijah’s ministry in the Northern Kingdom of Israel was primarily in conflict with King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. Elijah constantly preached righteousness and often judgment upon the king/queen (for they were the most wicked of the Northern Kingdom). Elijah has now passed the torch to Elisha and a new king begins to rule: Ahab’s son, Jehoram (means exalted). (Note: the history of Northern and Southern kingdoms coincide. One often impacts the other and gives us some idea of when things take place). Jehoram reigned for 12 years and did evil (like Jeroboam: the standard for wickedness; erecting golden calves in Dan and Bethel and abandoning Yahweh). Jehoram was a little better than his father in that he removed Baal worship but he continued to sin in anger, pride, and wicked deeds. He did not walk with God, so Israel continued in sinful ways. The fruit he bore was sin, thus, he was not a good tree.

B. At the same time of Jehoram’s rise to power, Mesha (king of Moab) stopped paying his tribute to Israel. He feared Ahab but not his son, so, he stopped paying his 100,000 lambs and 100,000 wool from rams. Mesha rebelled against Jehoram. It’s as Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Israel was over Moab and they were going to pay for breaking ties, Jehoram mustered the troops of the Northern Kingdom.

Jehoram was not so prideful to do it alone but reached out to Jehoshaphat (king of Judah) to work as a team. Jehoshaphat was a righteous king who walked in the ways of God: He expelled Sodomites from the land, had the Law of Moses taught throughout Judah, fortified the land, had a strong army, and the dread of the Lord was on all kingdoms so as to not fight with Judah. A man of God who sought the Lord in everything. Jehoshaphat made peace with the Northern Kingdom of Israel by marrying Ahab’s daughter. When Jehoram came on the scene there was an automatic alliance with the benefits of years of success from Judah and playing on the fear of the other nations.

C. After picking up Jehoshaphat, the combined army traveled through Edom and brought him along. Surely, Moab won’t stand a chance! Here’s the issue. As they journeyed for an entire week to get to the battle ground the massive military force ran out of water. No strength would be left for the battle and these 3 nations, though powerful when healthy, would be crushed underneath Moab’s feet.

II. Knowing the Lord Makes the Difference (v. 10-27)

A. Jehoram, the King of Israel instantly gives voice to his fear (v. 10)

1. “Obviously, God wants to punish us! Why else would we be brought together just to die of thirst before our enemy? This is the end, God wants to cast His judgment.”

a. Have you ever met someone like that? When the slightest thing goes wrong they treat it as if someone is out to get them? “Welp, I don’t feel good so God is punishing me.” “This thing I prayed about didn’t happen, so God doesn’t love me.” “Everything is falling apart so I’m not really a Christian”

b. It can be scary when things go sideways. No one expects you to be strong all the time, not even God. He sent Jesus to make up for our weaknesses and our brokenness. Here’s the message I want us to understand: 1) don’t make fear your go-to reaction, 2) until that becomes a reality, pause and seek God’s guidance

2. v. 11-12: Jehoshaphat’s first question is, “Is there a prophet of the Lord we can go to and ask God about this?”

a. Both Jehoram and Jehoshaphat had the same situation, observed the same facts but their perspectives were different. Jehoram gave way to fear while Jehoshaphat treated it as an opportunity to seek God

b. It’s the same thing when someone says “I’m not an optimist, I’m a realist.” As if the two are opposites. No, optimism and pessimism are opposites. A realist is someone who observes the way things are and the perspective you take makes the difference (either positive or negative)

c. Illus. When you get nervous what happens? Your heart starts racing, your palms get sweaty, you feel butterflies, etc. What happens when you get excited? Your heart starts racing, your palms get sweaty, you feel butterflies. The same symptoms just a different perspective. Our perspective should start with God

3. Who you know matters. Jehoshaphat knew God and His people, it gave him a peace and a confidence. He knew who to look to for direction. Jehoram did not know God and he was lost and scared. Know the Lord and know His people because they help keep you grounded. So choose your friends wisely because bad company corrupts good morals and good company will draw us near to God

B. Elisha made it clear where he stood (v. 13-14)

1. Remember, Jehoram the king of Israel was evil. Elisha called him out on it, “Why not call the prophets of your parents?” Jehoram declared this whole company was God’s doing, the One, True, Living God. He believed but didn’t live like it

a. A mental acknowledgement of God is not the same as being a child of God. Elisha declared he wouldn’t even consider Jehoram’s request except for Jehoshaphat (a faithful, righteous king).

b. A believer is not always a follower

1. Belief alone is not enough. In Matthew 8 Jesus paints a picture of the cost of discipleship. He was going to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and a scribe comes up and says he will follow but Jesus revealed, Matthew 8:20 “And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”” and yet another disciple said, “Let me bury my father first” but Jesus rebutted Matthew 8:22 “And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”” These men believed in Jesus and approached Him first but they did not act on that belief.

2. True faith acts. James 2:18 “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” We are either for or against Christ; there is no in between. Let your belief result in action. True faith is a faith that works, not to earn salvation but from a desire to draw near to God. He says where to meet Him and we meet Him there. A follower of Jesus gets up and follows, no matter the cost. A good tree bears fruit. What makes a good tree? When it’s roots run deep. Root yourself in Jesus and bear His fruit.

2. Elisha spoke the Word of the Lord to them because of Jehoshaphat (v. 15-20)

a. Why the hand of a minstrel/musician? Similar to the love and praise of David: God spoke many times through prophets as they sang (hence why many prophecies are in the Psalms as songs). It was an official moment to listen to the heart of God and when the prophet spoke all would listen.

b. God was going to take care of them and it would be obvious that it was Him. Water appears from nowhere to care for the animals and army. It’s an easy thing for the Lord. Since He is able to do that, He will grant them victory over the Moabites.

c. God laid out the plan for victory if they followed His lead then they would succeed (Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”)

C. The Lord won them the victory (v. 21-27)

1. It’s amazing what God can use to accomplish great things. Your struggle could be someone else’s blessing. Imagine if the company had given up due to lack of water and went home? Moab would still be a thorn in their side. Instead, they sought the Lord and He provided, He then used that provision to bring victory against their enemy

2. The Moabites were angry but they were defeated (v. 26-27). The king sacrificed his own son to Chemosh/Molech and the people rallied behind their king, casting their anger at Israel. Israel withdrew and went home

3. Things won’t always be perfect but when God fights our battles and we follow His instructions then we get to go home fulfilled and satisfied because we are His

Application/Conclusion

Who you know matters. Jehoshaphat knew God and His people, that gave him a peace and a confidence. He knew who to look to for direction. Jehoram did not know God and he was lost and scared. But he knew Jehoshaphat who showed him a better way and he got to go home satisfied. Others might be mad at us but we belong to the Lord.

Illus. I went to see a friend of mine recently and stayed at his house a couple of nights. We went to the gun range together. He picked me up while I was out and we rode in his car. While I was at his house my check engine light came on and he was stressing out about it, he wanted to fix it and hoped it wasn’t a big problem. I told him that I wasn’t worried that God would take care of it. He replied, “I’m glad you’re not stressed, I’ll be stressed for you.” Well, after we finish at the range he dropped me back off at my car and we were headed back to his house. Only, his car wouldn’t start. After a mini freak out moment the car turned back on and he said, “Let’s go to O’Reilly’s and get a reading on our cars” He led the way and when we were down the street from the store his car shut off. He said, “I’m gonna try to make it all the way to the O’Reilly parking lot” and he made it and parked it perfectly for a tow truck. My check engine light was a simple sensor that was unplugged while his was some fuel pump issue. He got his van started again and was able to drive it home where some family could come work on it. He was praising God when he got home

At first he was freaking out but found trust in the Lord. Sometimes it takes a tough time to teach faith. Other times, God bears His strength through a faithful friend

Who you know matters.

There are some things we can learn from this:

1. Be a follower. Draw near to God in the way He says and we will be blessed

2. Choose your friends wisely because bad company corrupts good morals and good company will draw us near to God

3. Know the Lord and know His people because they help keep you grounded

Who you know matters. Know the Lord.