Red as Blood: the Gospel According to a Valley Full of Ditches

• Congregational Reading: 2 Kings 3:1-27 *

I. AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

A Minstrel and the Voice of the Prophet

• 1. reign of wicked Jehoram, vv1-3
• 2. rebellion of Moab against Israel, vv4-6
• 3. reinforcements from Judah & Edom, vv7-10
• 4. request from Jehoshaphat for a prophet, vv11-12
• 5. rebuke of Jehoram by Elisha, vv13-14
• 6. ridiculous command of the LORD, vv15-19
• 7. remarkable miracle from the LORD, vv20-23
• 8. resounding victory in the LORD, vv24-27

II. A HOLY OBSERVATION

A Message of Victory in the Valley of Ditches

• 1. strange word
     --- a. desolate place for digging wells, v16
     --- b. deficient wind & rain, v17
     --- c. demonstrates the foolishness of Christ's gospel
     --- d. dutiful tasks from God's word & work
• 2. simple faith
     --- a. eternal purposes trump earthly reason
     --- b. eternal promises better than earthly satisfaction
     --- c. eternal power witnessed by faithful patience, v20
• 3. streams forever blessed
     --- a. streams of eternal safety (salvation), vv21-22
     --- b. streams of eternal satisfaction (sanctification), v22
     --- c. streams of eternal strength (success), v25
• 4. sad fate of the wicked heart
     --- a. deceived unto losing the war, v22
     ---b. deceived unto losing life's value, v27