“For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trampled down in his place, as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.” – Isaiah 25:10 

Scripture reading: 2 Kings 3:1-27

Old Testament history is real and relevant to our lives. Moab stands for the world and like Israel of old, the danger for any congregation, and for you as a believer in Christ, is not just losing influence upon the world, as Israel lost control over Moab, but of being overcome by the world, as Israel was overcome through the collapse of her borders.

Jehoram, king of Israel and son of Ahab, was as godless and idolatrous as his father. But Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, served the Lord. This whole account demonstrates God’s response to faith and unbelief.

For Jehoshaphat’s sake, Elisha saved the armies of Israel and Judah by prophesying water for their thirsty troops and a great triumph over those of Moab. But then, something seemingly inexplicable happens. Seeing the battle against him, Mesha sacrifices his oldest son as a burnt offering on the wall of his city to his idol god. Then, we read “And there came great wrath against Israel.” This wrath was of God, against covenant breaking Israel and their faithless king, Jehoram. Forced to retreat, his control of Moab was lost forever, and because of their ongoing sins, so was the future of Israel.

As Isaiah says, the “Mountain,” upon whom the “hand of the Lord will rest” is the church of true believers in Jesus Christ, through whom Moab “shall be trampled down.” Indeed, For “this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that you may overcome the world through faith, with the spiritual weapons of God’s Word, “and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.