Read 2 Chronicles 18
Highlights:
Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab; death of Ahab; Jehoshaphat’s national reformation; death of Jehoshaphat
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 (2 Chr. 19:2).
Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah. He was a king that served the Lord. During his reign, he had torn down idols and destroyed groves that were made for other gods. He followed the commandments of the Lord and sought God's direction in his ruling over Judah.
If you are just looking at this one verse, it would be difficult to see those facts about Jehoshaphat. That is why it is so important to read the Word of God from cover to cover. God has given us His Word as a complete guide to our lives. Think of it as a recipe for life. There is not much chance of preparing a dish right without using the entire recipe. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). Notice the words of Christ as He says "every word".
The mistake Jehoshaphat made was joining in an alliance with Ahab, king of Israel. Ahab was a very evil man who had hunted down the prophets of God. He, himself, followed after false gods.
A true prophet of God warned Jehoshaphat and Ahab of the error in them going to war together against Syria. Ahab had this prophet, who was faithful to the Word of God, thrown into prison. Disregarding the prophet's warning, they went out to fight Syria together. It was a disaster, but the Lord mercifully protected Jehoshaphat in that he survived.
The Lord sent Jehu to show Jehoshaphat that He was disappointed in his actions. God wanted him to understand that promoting evil in any way is sin. Though Jehoshaphat did not become like Ahab, he did transgress against God. God's law is God's law. There is no big sin and little sin. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10).
There may be no differences in the weight of the law of God, but there are differences in the consequences of the violation of God's law. Some of these might have physical consequences and others spiritual. Yet others may have both.
God looked at the whole picture of what had transpired with Jehoshaphat. Yes, he sinned, but he turned his heart back to God. Therefore God saw this, and the good he had done and would continue doing. We can always trust God to be a just and compassionate Father in our own lives and that of others. God is always a God of mercy before being a God of wrath.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).
Thought for Today:
All too often our children are affected by our disobedience to God’s Word. That’s why we must teach them His Word and own up to our failures.
Christ Revealed:
By Micaiah, who told the Truth even though it was unpopular with his listeners (2 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; harness, armor.
Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for others (Num. 21:7).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:157