The Valley of Ditches
2 Kings 3:16 (NKJV) “And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.”
When Israel and Judah fought against the Moabites, they travelled through the desert and couldn’t find any water for seven days. Facing dehydration and certain death, Jehoshaphat called on the prophet Elisha who told them to dig ditches throughout the valley. God supernaturally filled the ditches with water, gave them victory over the Moabites and turned their shortage into a surplus overnight. This was an unusual word from God. The armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom were stuck in the hot desert and dying of thirst.
The three kings went to the prophet Elisha and asked for a word from God. This was the start of God’s answer: “Go dig many ditches in the desert.”
2 Kings 3:17-18 (NKJV) – 17 “For thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 18 “And this is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.”
Here they were in a wilderness, a dry, desert valley place, a low place. In this place, this low dry desert place, the Word of The LORD says, dig ditches!
The promise – Overflowing provision. You’re dying of thirst and God will bring the water. You’re in no place to win the war, but God will bring you victory. He is the God of salvation and provision. He is going to deliver you.
2 Kings 3:16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.”
God said, “You will see nothing. Just dig. And water will come.” Digging the ditches was an obedient response which was the prerequisite to receive the promised water. Digging the ditches was an obedient response to receive the promise of deliverance and victory.
The digging of ditches in our life is essential to prepare ourselves to receive the showers of blessing that God would bring to us.
How do we dig ditches in our life? We must have a need to hear God’s Word in our life. We need to feed regularly on God’s Word. We need to go to God regularly in prayer. We must listen to what He has to say to us. We need to be obedient to His Word.
Isaiah 61:10-11 (MSG) “I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jewelled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations.”