For the Battle Is God’s

The allied armies of northern Israel, southern Judah, and Edom set out to attack Moab but fall into crisis when they run out of water to drink. Only then did the three kings seek Yahweh’s will, and God, who filled every valley with water, promises that he will make them victorious in this battle too.

When the king of Moab offers his own son as a human sacrifice, great wrath comes upon Israel instead, and with victory right before them, the allied armies abandon the battlefield. They had tasted a miracle and even received an answer, yet it came to light that they had not repented of the idolatry they themselves had committed and had instead taken the lead in judging Moab. Those who fear and love God can never stand on the same side as those who have fallen into idolatry.

The battle still belongs to God, but a time will surely come when sin is exposed before God and brought to account. People can never become righteous by their own strength, and only when they set themselves aside and repent each day can the problem of their sin be resolved. The only way for us to be free from our darkness and sin is Jesus Christ.