Joram: The Empty Echo of a Divine Name
The story of King Joram is a poignant illustration of the disconnect between outward profession and inward reality. His name, "The Lord is Exalted," stood in stark contrast to his life, a life marked by compromise and a divided heart. Let us examine his reign and learn from his failures.
1. The Name That Did Not Reflect Life (2 Kings 3:1):
"And Joram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel." Joram’s name carried a profound spiritual meaning, yet his actions betrayed that meaning. Many have a form of godliness but deny the true power (2 Timothy 3:5). We must ensure that our lives align with the names we bear as followers of Christ.
2. A Less Wicked, But Still Evil King (2 Kings 3:2):
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: yet not as his father, nor as his mother." Joram attempted to distance himself from the extreme wickedness of his parents, Ahab and Jezebel. However, partial obedience is still disobedience. Small external changes do not mean a transformed heart. God desires a complete and wholehearted surrender.
3. Idolatry Still Present in the Kingdom (2 Kings 3:2-3):
"He removed the image of Baal that his father had made. Yet he held fast to the sins of Jeroboam." Joram removed a visible symbol of idolatry but clung to other sins. We must eliminate sin completely, not just make superficial changes. God requires us to uproot all forms of idolatry from our lives.
4. The Rebellion of Mesha, King of Moab (2 Kings 3:5):
"Mesha, king of the Moabites, rebelled against the king of Israel." Joram faced rebellions and instability during his reign. When a leader is not grounded in God, problems increase. A lack of spiritual foundation leads to instability in all areas of life.
5. An Alliance with Jehoshaphat and the King of Edom (2 Kings 3:9):
"Then the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom departed." Joram sought human alliances to solve his problems. We must seek God first before relying on human strategies. Our dependence should be on God, not on the shifting alliances of the world.
6. The Lack of Water in the Desert (2 Kings 3:10):
"Did the Lord call these three kings to deliver them into the hands of the Moabites?" Faced with crisis, Joram quickly blamed God. Those who do not seek God from the beginning end up despairing in difficult times. When we fail to prioritize God, we are quick to blame Him for our troubles.
7. Elisha and God's Mercy (2 Kings 3:14):
"If it were not for the respect of the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or see you." Elisha helped Joram only because of Jehoshaphat’s presence. God's mercy often reaches us because of other believers. The prayers and faithfulness of others can be a conduit of God’s grace in our lives.
8. Water in the Valley and the Defeat of the Moabites (2 Kings 3:20):
"And it came to pass in the morning, that water appeared, and the land was filled with water." God supernaturally sent water and confused the Moabites. Even though he didn't deserve it, Joram experienced God's grace. God’s grace is often extended to the undeserving, but it should lead us to repentance, not complacency.
9. A Life Without a Spiritual Legacy (2 Kings 8:24):
"And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria." Joram died without leaving a lasting legacy of faith. Our lives must reflect the name we bear as servants of God. We are called to leave a legacy of faithfulness for those who come after us.
10. The Danger of a Divided Heart:
Joram’s life highlights the danger of a divided heart. We cannot serve two masters. We must choose wholeheartedly to follow God, allowing Him to transform every aspect of our lives.
- Preaching on King Omri – A Strong Government, but Far from God 1 Kings 16: 16-28
- Preaching on King Zimri: The Emptiness of Ungodly Ambition 1 Kings 16:10-20
- Preaching on Baasha: Boldness Without God
Conclusion
Joram’s story is a call to examine our own hearts. Are we living up to the name we bear as followers of Christ? Are we allowing God to transform every area of our lives? Let us strive for a life of complete and unwavering devotion to our Lord, so that our lives may truly reflect His glory. Amen.
