Reading: II Chronicles 18-19
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God (II Chr. 19:2-3).
Through our reading, we have discovered that Jehoshaphat was one of the godliest kings in the history of Judah. Because of his dedication to the Lord, he was wonderfully blessed. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance (II Chr. 17:3-5). He believed in the power of God’s written word, and closely followed the instructions of Moses. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up (Deut. 6:7).
Despite the fact that his heart belonged to God, Jehoshaphat made a serious mistake. Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab (18:1).This affinity went so far as an alliance of the two houses by marriage; Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram married Ahab’s daughter Athaliah. Jehoshaphat had to have known the extent of Ahab’s involvement in Baal worship, yet that did not stop him from feasting with the northern king (18:2) or joining him in a battle that had clearly not been sanctioned by the Lord (18:3-34). Although Jehoshaphat survived the battle and was allowed to return to Judah in peace, he was still forced to face the fact that he had acted against God. Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.
Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab had a profound effect on his descendants and the nation of Judah. His son, Jehoram, influenced by his wife, Athaliah, turned his back on God. His grandson, Ahaziah (Jehoahaz), was likewise influenced by his mother; he also refused to serve the Lord. Perhaps the greatest atrocity of all came at the hands of Athaliah, after the death of Ahaziah. And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal (II Kings 11:1).
Had Jehoshaphat kept himself and his family safely away from the evil influence of King Ahab, much of the pain that they endured could have been avoided. As Christians in today’s world, we are called to be witnesses for Christ. We have been commanded to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44) to help the downtrodden (Matt. 25:35-40), and to interact with everyone we meet with Christian love (Mark 12:31). Even so, God has made it clear that we should only participate in activities that bring glory to His name (I John 2:15-17). If we allow ourselves to become active participants in situations that are contrary to God’s Word, then we are no longer representing God.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness (II Cor. 6:14)?
Thought for Today: Compromising with the wicked can only lead to worldly gain; nowhere on God’s path will we find such a situation to be called for.
Christ Portrayed: By Micaiah, who told the Truth even though it was unpopular with his listeners (II Chr. 18:12-27). We are reminded of Christ when He spoke the unpopular Truth to the Pharisees (Matt. 12:1-14). Jesus responded: Now ye seek to kill Me, a Man that hath told you the Truth, which I have heard of God (John 8:40).
Word Studies: 18:1 joined affinity = allied himself by the marriage of his son to Ahab’s daughter; 18:9 a void place = an open area near the city entrance; 18:15 adjure = command under oath; 18:33 at a venture = randomly without aim
Pray for Radio: Sponsored by Lt. Col. Walter & Penny Swanson • Government Officials: Rep. Janice Schakowsky (IL) • Country: Nigeria (174,507,539) Western Africa • Major Languages: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, 500 Indigenous Dialects • Government permits all types of religious activity; Boko Haram growing violence in North against Christian and Muslim • 50% Muslim (largely Sunni); 40% Christian; 10% Indigenous • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for others (Num. 21:7).
Optional Reading: I Corinthians 1.