Bible Pathway - May 26, 2010
Highlights:
King Jehoshaphat relies on God, but his association with wicked Ahab, and later Ahaziah, lead to some serious mistakes. Bad choices and compromise can have serious consequences
Surrounded by vast enemy nations, the people of Judah hastened to Jerusalem, bowed before God, confessed their sins, and prayed earnestly for His protection. They trusted in God when the prophet Jahaziel said: Be not afraid . . . for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . . Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established (II Chr. 20:15,20). Then they sang and praised the Lord.
Jehoshaphat was one of the few godly kings in the 500-year history of Judah. He appointed Levites throughout the land to read and instruct the people in the Law of God. He forced the Baal and Ashtoreth cult followers, and the male cult prostitutes, out of the Kingdom of Judah (I Kin. 22:46; II Chr. 17:3-9).
Jehoshaphat made a serious mistake when he associated with Ahab, the Baal-worshiping king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The marriage of Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram to Athaliah, Jezebel's daughter (18:1; 21:1,6), opened the door to Baal worship in Judah and the eventual massacre of all of Jehoshaphat's sons and grandsons, except for one-year-old Jehoash (Joash) who was hidden by the high priest Jehoiada for six years (22:10-12).
Some do not agree that fellowship with the ungodly and marriage with the unsaved are not wise; they foolishly assume themselves to be exceptions to the wisdom of God.
All of our relationships should be guided by the Scriptures: Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the Temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (II Cor. 6:14-17).
When difficulties mount, misunderstandings arise, or you are threatened by situations you can neither deal with nor escape, take courage that victory is always sure to those who trust in the True Source of strength.
An important principle in praising God is to take your eyes off the problem or predicament and put them on Him as you pray unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man (Eph. 3:14,16).
Thought for Today:
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. . . . Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Eph. 5:11,16).
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 =b> allied himself by the marriage of his son to Ahab's daughter; 18:9 a void place =b> an open area near the city entrance; 18:15 adjure =b> command under oath; 18:33 at a venture =b> randomly without aim; harness =b> armor.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Sen. Kay Hagan (NC) and Rep. Janice Schakowsky (IL) • Country: Liberia (3 million) in West Africa • Major languages: English and more than 20 local languages of the Niger-Congo language group • Religious freedom • 41% ancestor worship and witchcraft; 21% Muslim; 13% Protestant; 2% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that you will obey the Word of God and not be just a deceived hearer (James 1:22).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 13
Memory Verse for the Week: John 1:6
