But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
After Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel, and that rebellion begins the battle account that follows in the chapter. The chapter presents a test of faith in which victory depends not on human strength but on trusting what God can do for and through His people. God works in unexpected ways for the glory of His own name.
That opening test is like those that still come to all who put their trust in God. It pictures the testing and temptation that will come to those who carry the truth forward when apparent impossibilities obstruct the way. Its lesson is that victory does not come by what men themselves can do but by what God can do for and through them. The battle against the enemy is not turned by human strength but by the strength of the mighty General of armies.
Those who put their trust in God will certainly realize His power in their work. The reason is that the Lord has ways and means for every emergency and will work in ways least expected. He works for His own name's glory. Therefore trust must rest not in what men can do but in what God can do.
That forbids limiting the Holy One, whose power is of old and whose ways are past finding out. It forbids marking out in advance the ways whereby God will work. Such prescribing of His course brings disappointment.
After Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel, and that rebellion begins the battle account that follows in the chapter. The chapter presents a test of faith in which victory depends not on human strength but on trusting what God can do for and through His people. God works in unexpected ways for the glory of His own name.
That opening test is like those that still come to all who put their trust in God. It pictures the testing and temptation that will come to those who carry the truth forward when apparent impossibilities obstruct the way. Its lesson is that victory does not come by what men themselves can do but by what God can do for and through them. The battle against the enemy is not turned by human strength but by the strength of the mighty General of armies.
Those who put their trust in God will certainly realize His power in their work. The reason is that the Lord has ways and means for every emergency and will work in ways least expected. He works for His own name's glory. Therefore trust must rest not in what men can do but in what God can do.
That forbids limiting the Holy One, whose power is of old and whose ways are past finding out. It forbids marking out in advance the ways whereby God will work. Such prescribing of His course brings disappointment.