2 Chronicles 17-19
Jehoshaphat
Today we read about King Jehoshaphat, a good king, seeking to serve the Lord following the example of King David. However, he joined with King Ahab and allied Judah with Israel in a war against Aram. The cause seemed right. They were going to rescue the city of Ramoth-gilead, a city belonging to Israel but under the control of Aram. Ahab was an evil King who worshiped Baal and the golden calves Jeroboam set up. In order to entice Jehoshaphat into joining with Israel. Ahab assembled 400 prophets who were saying Israel would be victorious. To his credit, Jehoshaphat calls for a prophet of the Lord who says that Israel will be defeated and Ahab will be killed in battle.
In spite of the warning Jehoshaphat goes to battle anyway. Ahab appears to have believed the warning and goes into the battle dressed as a common soldier while encouraging Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes. When the enemy sees Jehoshaphat dressed in his robes they think he is King Ahab and start to pursue Jehoshaphat until they realize they have the wrong man. Jehoshaphat escapes with his life and Ahab is killed in battle fulfilling the word of the Prophet of God. Afterwards, God sends Jehu the seer to give Jehoshaphat a rebuke. Jehoshaphat was keeping the wrong company and almost died as a result.
Behind the scenes here is a spiritual battle. The devil wants to eliminate the line of David from which the Messiah Jesus will come. Jehoshaphat made another mistake which almost resulted in the devil being able to accomplish his goal. Jehoshaphat allowed his son to be married to the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. This marriage will have a devastating effect on the nation.
We are warned in the Bible about the company we keep and who we allow to influence us. It is one thing to be a witness to a non-believer but quite another to allow them to influence us in such a way that we drift from our relationship with God and give the devil a foothold to wreak havoc in our life.
The Bible gives good wisdom regarding our relationships with other people. Here are some verses for further study. Exodus 23:2, 34:12; Psalm 1:1: Proverbs 4:14, 24:1; 1 Corinthians 5:11, 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Numbers 33:55.
What should we be doing? 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Isaiah 40:31, 43:2; Joshua 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:3&4; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Psalm 121:1&2, 32:8, 31:24.
Pastor Dave