Prophets And Kings, Day 60. Two Acts Of Elisha

Prophets And Kings

Day 60

Two Acts Of Elisha

INTRODUCTION BY BELINDA

Yesserday Elijah weres taken to heaven in a whirlwind and now Elisha has inherited the Spirit Elijah hads. Today we study two of the things Elisha dids at the beginnin of hims ministry.

2 KINGS 2:19-25

"The people of the city said to Elisha, 'Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.'" (2 Kings 19:19) This statement is actually a request, similar to the way Mary the mother of Jesus made a request to Him at the wedding in Cana. She came to him and said, "They have no more wine." (John 2:2b) Even though these things are phrased as statements, they are requests from men who have the power to do something about the need. 

Sometimes we talk to the Lord this way. We might say, "Lord, I'm so discouraged about what's happened." Or, "Lord, I wish my mother would get well." Or, "Lord, I wish I could find a better job so I won't keep getting behind on my bills." The Lord knows these are requests even though we phrase them as statements. We are telling Him these things because He has the power to do something about them. 

In today's passage, the people of the city are asking Elisha to do something when they tell him how bad the water is. The city is in a great location and there is plenty of land for crops but the water is too bad for irrigation. It's causing a hardship on the people. They are having to carry water from long distances. It would be so nice if the water source in the city was pure. In telling Elisha this, they are letting him know they realize he is a man of God who has power from the Lord. Elisha is happy to help them. "'Bring me a bowl,' he said, and put salt in it.' So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, 'This is what the Lord says: 'I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.' And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken." (2 Kings 2:21-22) When the Lord heals something, it stays healed. When the Lord makes something pure, it stays pure. 

In the Bible, salt is a purifying ingredient. Incense offered to God was blended with salt. The grain offerings were blended with salt. Sacrifices were presented with salt. The Lord Jesus says of His followers that we are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13) Because we are purified by Him, we are a purifying presence wherever we go. Our lives in Christ should be an example at all times, wherever we are and whatever we're doing. Who knows how the salt of our lives will affect those around us? Our co-workers might come to Christ. Our family members might come to Christ. Our friends and neighbors and acquaintances might come to Christ because we have lived before them in such a way that they saw Jesus in us. They saw something in us they wanted for themselves: the peace and joy that comes only from a relationship with our Lord.

Elisha leaves the city after purifying the water and makes his way to Bethel. And at Bethel he is in danger of being set upon by a group of young fellows who don't want him in their town. "From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. 'Get out of here, baldy!' they said. 'Get out of here, baldy!'" (2 Kings 2:23) The word that is translated "boys" here is translated in other passages as "young men". I think these guys were probably in their teens, not small children. I picture them as a group of tough young men hanging out on the street corner, accosting passersby, respecting no persons, having no fear of God or His prophets. Some Bible scholars speculate that these young men were accustomed to treating prophets arriving at Bethel this way. Idolatry was rampant at Bethel and these young rebels have no use for the word of God. 

My background study indicates that a literal translation of what these guys are saying is, "Go up! Go up!', maybe a mockery of the news they've heard about Elijah being taken up to heaven. Maybe they don't believe it. Maybe they think it's a hoax Elijah and Elisha have pulled off. Maybe they are telling Elisha they wish he'd just go on up to heaven too and get out of their way. These youths are about to meet with an unusual and frightening form of punishment and I think the severity of their punishment gives us a clue about the severity of the wickedness in their hearts. Something in them has no desire for God, no regard for Him, no respect for Him. They are publicly rejecting God. Everything in their hearts is pushing Him away as hard as they can. Their attitude may have been something like the attitude the Lord condemns in Psalm 50, "You hate My instruction and cast My words behind you...You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue for deceit." We don't know how long they've been doing this, but for all of us there comes a last chance. The Lord speaks to our hearts again and again in various ways and when we reject His words and His love, we aren't assured another chance. We don't know if we have a tomorrow. That's why the Lord says that today is the day of salvation. (Hebrews 3:15) Today is all we have. Nobody has promised us tomorrow. 

"He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria." (2 Kings 2:24-25) When the author says forty-two of the boys were mauled, this indicates there were more than forty-two boys gathered there. This was no small gathering of young children playing on the sidewalk and making fun of a bald man. This was a gang of young teen hooligans, more than able to beat and rob Elisha or even kill him. Imagine you are a middle-aged or older man entering Bethel by yourself, knowing it's an idolatrous town that esteems prophets very little. And as you round the corner, fifty or more young men are standing there mocking you, calling you names, screaming for you to get out. This would be a frightening confrontation. Elisha is outnumbered and unarmed and so he uses the only weapon he has: the word of the Lord. 

I once heard today's passage of Scripture criticized, claiming that Elisha called for bears to come and eat some small children, but as we see this is not anywhere close to the truth. The Bible doesn't say that the young men were killed, just that they were mauled. Forty-two of them received injuries but I suspect they all survived. This startling event may have served as a wake-up call for them. If so, we see the mercy and grace of God at work. He gave them another opportunity to repent and be healed. He let them live another day on this earth in which to turn to Him and be made pure. Because, as we learned when Elisha threw the salt in the water, when God heals someone they stay healed. When God makes someone pure they stay pure. 

Prophets And Kings, Day 59. Elijah Taken To Heaven

Prophets And Kings

Day 59

Elijah Taken To Heaven 

INTRODUCTION BY BELINDA
Elijah, a great prophet of God, doesnt even haves to die but is taken to heaven in a whirlwind.

2 KINGS 2:1-18

Elijah and the successor the Lord told him to anoint, Elisha, are walking together. "When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, 'Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.' But Elisha said, 'As surely as the Lord lives and you live, I will not leave you.' So they went down to Bethel." (2 Kings 2:1-2) We don't know when the word of the Lord came to Elijah to tell him he would be taken to heaven, but from today's passage it seems to have been common knowledge, at least among the prophets. Elisha is devoted to his friend and mentor and wants to stay with him til the end.

"The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, 'Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?' 'Yes, I know,' Elisha replied, 'so be quiet.'" (2 Kings 2:3) These men want to make sure Elisha isn't in the dark about what is soon to take place. He knows perfectly well what's about to happen but he doesn't want to talk about it. I can relate to this, can't you? Some things distress us so much we don't even want to take about them. 

"Then Elijah said to him, 'Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.' And he replied, 'As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So they went to Jericho." (2 Kings 2:4) I think Elijah may have intended his suggestions for Elisha to "stay here" as a test. Maybe Elijah wanted to make sure his successor had what it takes to see things through. Or maybe he already knew Elisha possessed this kind of spirit but wanted Elisha to know he had it. Usually a test is not so much for the teacher as for the student. 

"The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, 'Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?' 'Yes, I know,' he said, 'so be quiet.'" (2 Kings 2:5) It looks as if Elijah is visiting all the companies of the prophets before his departure, perhaps to encourage and strengthen them in the faith, perhaps just to say goodbye. 

"Then Elijah said to him, 'Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.' And he replied, 'As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So the two of them walked on." (2 Kings 2:6) Three times now Elijah has given Elisha the option of staying behind but Elisha has refused. This reminds me of when the Lord Jesus, after the resurrection, commissioned Peter to be a leader in the church. Three times He asked Peter if he loved Him. Three times Peter said yes. And three times the Lord commanded him to, "Feed My sheep." The work of a church leader is the work of a shepherd, caring for the flock, and the work of a prophet in Israel was similar. Jesus knew the answer to His questions to Peter and I believe Elijah knew what Elisha was going to say. Jesus knew Peter loved Him and would now be willing to go to the death for the gospel if necessary. Elijah knew Elisha loved him and was willing  to go to the death for the truth of God's word if necessary. But Peter and Elisha needed to know it. They needed to receive their commissions and to accept the privileges and the challenges that were going to come along with them.

"Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground." (2 Kings 2:7-8) These fifty men won't see Elijah taken up into the whirlwind but they do get to witness a miracle. This is a parting gift from the leader of the prophets, something to strengthen their faith in the Lord.

"When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?' 'Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,' Elisha replied." (2 Kings 2:9-10) I've always heard this passage interpreted as Elisha asking for twice the amount of power that Elijah had. But I found an alternate interpretation in my background study and it's quite interesting. It stated that Elisha is asking for the inheritance right of a firstborn son from Deuteronomy 21:17. The firstborn son was to inherit a double portion of his father's worldly goods, twice the amount that any other sons would inherit. I had never looked at it this way but am coming to the conclusion that this is probably the best interpretation. Elijah had no biological son but Elisha was his son in the faith. Elijah had no worldly goods and could only leave Elisha a spiritual inheritance. I am reminded of the way the Apostle Paul, an unmarried man with no children, always referred to his convert Timothy as his son in the faith. We will see that Elisha considered Elijah as his father later on in today's passage.

Elijah mulls over Elisha's request and then tells him, "'You have asked a difficult thing,' Elijah said, 'yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours---otherwise, it will not.'" (2 Kings 2:10) Elisha must go all the way with Elijah on his earthly journey, a thing which he has already determined to do. It's natural when we love someone to want to be with them at the end of their earthly journey. There's something in us that needs to see a thing like that all the way through. Sometimes a death happens so suddenly that some family members can't get there in time and it often leaves people without a feeling of closure or completion. The departure of Elijah is like a death to Elisha. He's grieving the loss of his friend and teacher, so much so that he doesn't even want to talk about it. He'd like to push it out of his mind and pretend like it's not going to happen but now the time is at hand. So Elisha is going to do the only thing he can do, see this through to the end.

"As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, 'My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!' And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two." (2 Kings 2:11-12) The whirlwind takes Elijah up to heaven, not the chariot. If you've ever watched some of the ancient alien theorists on TV, you probably know that they like to try and turn this chariot and horses into a spaceship. They think Elijah got on board and was whisked away. But the Bible specifically tells us it was the whirlwind that took Elijah away. The chariot and horses of fire symbolize the mighty power of God on behalf of His people Israel. Elisha will see chariots and horses of fire again in Chapter 6 and it's very clear there that they symbolize the power and protection of the Lord. 

In his grief, Elisha tears his robe. He then takes up Elijah's cloak and performs a miracle with it. "Elisha then picked up Elijah's cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. 'Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?' he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over." (2 Kings 2:13-14) Elisha wants to see if indeed the power of God has passed from Elijah to him. Without this, he can do nothing. Without the Spirit of the Lord, none of us can do anything. The Lord Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Elijah was such a mighty prophet of God that I think Elisha can't help but doubt that such power can pass on to him. Before he can move forward, he has to know without a doubt that the Lord is with him, so he cries out something like, "Are You with me, Lord? Is the God of Elijah with me as You were with him?" To test and see, Elisha strikes the Jordan with Elijah's cloak and it parts for him, just as it parted for Elijah. 

It's unlikely any of us will literally see waters part before us, but spiritually speaking, how many times has God made a way through for us when we didn't see a way? How many times has He simply moved obstacles from our path forward? If we could only see what's going on in the spiritual realm, I think we'd be struck speechless by all the waters our Lord parts for us, all the mountains He moves for us. Elisha lived in special times, a time before Christ, a time before the Holy Bible was printed. In those days, God related to man in a different way that He does now. Sometimes He parted waters. Sometimes He sent fire down. Sometimes he defeated armies by supernatural means while kings like Jehoshaphat didn't have to even shoot an arrow. God uses whatever means of communication is required for different periods of history. "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son." (Hebrews 1:1-2a) In our times the Lord speaks to us through the Son. Everything we need to know about the Lord we can learn through Jesus. We probably will never strike water with our cloak and part a river. We probably will never call down fire from heaven. But our hope is in the One who took our sins on Himself, tasted death in our place, was forsaken by God in our place, and then conquered death and rose from the tomb. What more could we ask for? Who needs to part the Jordan when we have a Savior who overcame the grave?

"The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, 'The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.' And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 'Look,' they said, 'we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.'" (2 Kings 2:13-14) These men seem unwilling to accept that Elijah is gone. They are having trouble moving on from here. They are hoping against hope that he is not permanently gone from them.

"'No,' Elisha said, 'do not send them.' But they persisted until he was too embarrassed to refuse. So he said, 'Send them.' And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, 'Didn't I tell you not to go?'" (2 Kings 2:17-18) The men insist for so long that Elisha finally says, "Fine, go ahead and look." But they scour the countryside thoroughly for three days without finding Elijah. When they return empty handed he tells them, "See, I told you he was gone. The Lord took him to heaven. He's not coming back." 

Elisha knows what he knows. He believes what he saw with his own eyes, just as all the people who saw Jesus after the resurrection knew what they knew and believed what they had seen. There's no point in going up on the mountaintops or peeking into caves looking for Elijah. He's gone. He's with the Lord. And there was no point in the followers of Christ looking for Him on the hilltops where He taught or peeking into empty tombs at Jerusalem. He's gone. He's with His Father. He rose from the dead just as He said He would. He appeared after His death for forty days, once even in front of more than five hundred witnesses. Our Lord has been taken up to heaven and the only place we should be looking for Him is up. "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) Amen! Come soon, Lord Jesus.

Prophets And Kings, Day 58. Ahaziah King Of Israel

Prophets And Kings

Day 58

Ahaziah King Of Israel

INTRODUCTION BY BELINDA

This mornin we meets the son of Ahab and him is a wicked man.

1 KINGS 22:51-53, 2 KINGS 1:1-18

We learned earlier in Chapter 22 that King Ahab of Israel died when an arrow struck him in the battle against King Ben-Hadad of Aram. His son, Ahaziah, will not be a good king and will only reign for two years. "Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, because he followed the ways of his father and mother and of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. He served and worshiped Baal and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done." (1 Kings 22:51-53) 

"After Ahab's death, Moab rebelled against Israel." (2 Kings 1:1) During Ahab's reign the Moabites were subject to Israel and due to his great power they dared not rebel while he still lived. But now that a new, younger, and inexperienced king sits on the throne, they see their opportunity to throw off the shackles of Israel.

"Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, 'Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.'" (2 Kings 1:2) Some commentators think the lattice he fell through was a screen or short wall surrounding an upper floor balcony and that perhaps he leaned against it and it gave way, sending him plunging down to the floor level of the palace. Rather than seeking help from the Lord, Ahaziah consults a foreign god, a god of the Philistine town of Ekron. 

Baal-Zebub's name is usually translated Beelzebub in the New Testament. The name is a combination of the fertility/storm god Baal and a word which means "exalted dwelling". In the New Testament we find Jesus' enemies accusing Him of casting demons out through the power of Beelzebub. In Jesus' time the name of this god had become synonymous with Satan himself, a symbol of all that is wicked and abominable, a title for the one who said, "I will ascend to the heavens, I will raise my throne above the stars of God." (Isaiah 14:13a) It's also a title for the man of sin who will come at the end times, the antichrist, who will, "oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thessalonians 2:4) In all of Israel and Judah, there was no name more detestable than that of Beelzebub and this is the god Ahaziah consults in his troubles.

"But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the God of Ekron?' Therefore this is what the Lord says: 'You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!' So Elijah went." (2 Kings 1:3-4) Ahaziah knows he is seriously injured, probably internally, but instead of seeking help from the God who led Israel out of Egypt into the promised land, he seeks help from a god who is not real, a god incapable of saving or delivering, a god who has done nothing for Israel and never will. Elijah is to ask the messengers why the king feels the need to send them all the way to Ekron when the mighty God of Israel is at hand.

"When the messengers came back to the king, he asked them, 'Why have you come back?' 'A man came to meet us,' they replied. 'And he said to us, 'Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, 'This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the God of Ekron? Therefore you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!'" (2 Kings 1:5-6) I think if Ahaziah had taken this to heart and repented of idolatry, the Lord might have let him live. We have seen the Lord relent before when men in the Bible have repented. God is giving the king a priceless opportunity to get his heart right before it's too late. Even if Ahaziah had repented and the Lord had still allowed him to perish from his injuries, this would still be merciful. Better to die in the Lord than to die without Him.

The fear of God must have come on the messengers who met Elijah because they didn't continue their journey to Ekron but instead came back to the king with this dire warning. But no fear of God seems to come on Ahaziah. He is concerned only with the identity of the prophet. "The king asked them, 'What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?' They replied, 'He had a garment of hair and had a leather belt around his waist.' The king said, 'That was Elijah the Tishbite.'" (2 Kings 1:7-8) The garments the man wore tell Ahaziah who sent him this bad news. The author of Hebrews, in the chapter known as the Hebrews Hall Of Faith, describes the clothing of the prophets of old, "They went about in sheepskins and goatskins." (Hebrews 11:37b)

"Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, 'Man of God, the king says, 'Come down!'" (2 Kings 1:9) These men are on a fool's mission. The king wants to take Elijah's life for telling him the truth. The Lord will protect His prophet for telling the truth.

"Elijah answered the captain, 'If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!' Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men." (2 Kings 1:10) The men addressed Elijah by the proper title of a prophet but they didn't really mean any respect. They call him by a title they don't really believe and so Elijah proves to them that he is who he says he is and that God's word is true and is going to stand.

Ahaziah is determined to put an end to this prophet and sends another company of men for him. "At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, 'Man of God, this is what the king says, 'Come down at once!' 'If I am a man of God,' Elijah replied, 'may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!' Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men." (2 Kings 1:11-12) Ahaziah has now lost two captains and a total of one hundred soldiers but he's a slow learner because of his wickedness. He's consumed by hatred for Elijah and cares nothing for the lives of his own men.

"So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. 'Man of God,' he begged, 'please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! See, fire has fallen down from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!'" (2 Kings 1:13-14) This captain's mama didn't raise any fools. He knows exactly what happened to the first two captains and their soldiers and is trembling in fear as he kneels before Elijah. He knows the power of God is in Elijah, even if the king doesn't know it. The first two captains came boldly in disrespect and ordered Elijah to come down. The third captain doesn't even repeat the king's words about coming down off the hill. He simply asks for mercy.

"The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, 'Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.' So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king." (2 Kings 1:15) Because the captain recognizes the power of the God of Israel and that Elijah is His prophet, the Lord tells Elijah to go with him. This captain and the men with him receive mercy because of humility of spirit.

Now Elijah stands in the presence of the king. "He told the king, 'This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the God of Ekron? Because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!' So he died, according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken." (2 Kings 1:16-17a) Even with the prophet standing before him, Ahaziah doesn't repent. He knows Elijah is a prophet of God because of the proof of the fire from heaven, yet he doesn't feel inclined to make this God his own God. As a result, he dies of his injuries. He dies in sin. 

The words prophesied to King Ahab are coming true. Because he had a somewhat shallow change of heart in his later years, the Lord gave him a reprieve. God didn't wrest the kingdom from Ahab during his lifetime but instead said He would take it from Ahab's chosen successor."Because Ahaziah had no son, Joram succeeded him as king in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. As for all the other events of Ahaziah's reign, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?" (2 Kings 1:17b-18) In Chapter 3 we find that Joram was also a son of Ahab, though not the son Ahab wanted to rule in his place. He will be a slightly better king than Ahaziah, removing the sacred stone of Baal from the nation, but will still be an idolater. 

In today's passage Ahaziah reaps what he has sown. His late father set terrible things in motion when he married a pagan woman and allowed her to set up a state religion of Baal worship, funding it with the tax money of the citizens, putting God's prophets to death because they spoke the truth. Personally, I hold Ahab more accountable than Ahaziah, because Ahaziah was raised in a sinful household and bombarded by pagan images his whole life. Yet at the same time, Ahaziah knew Elijah was a prophet of God and had called fire down from heaven in Ahab's sight during the showdown on Mount Carmel. On Mount Carmel that day, the God of Israel proved He is the only God capable of answering because He is the only God. It's not as if Ahaziah didn't know the truth. He knew the truth and rejected it and so suffers the consequences of his hard and evil heart.

There is a law of reaping what we sow and it goes both ways. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7) If we sow to the flesh we reap corruption. But if we sow to the Spirit we reap eternal life, plus the blessings and comfort of God in this life on earth. (Galatians 6:8) Ahaziah lay on his sickbed in a spirit of rebellion, refusing to acknowledge God as the Lord, and so he dies young and without a son to take his place. Elijah, however, is protected in today's passage because he obeys the Lord, saying what the Lord tells him to say and going where the Lord tells him to go. Elijah's life isn't easy, just as our lives in this world aren't necessarily easy, but he has the power and comfort of the Lord with him at all times, just as we who are in Christ have the power and the comfort of the Lord with us at all times.

Prophets And Kings, Day 57. The Deeds Of King Jehoshaphat Of Judah, Part 4

Prophets And Kings

Day 57

The Deeds Of King Jehoshaphat Of Judah

Part 4

INTRODUCTION
Today we concludes ours look at King Jehoshaphat. When we left off yesserday him weres facin a huge army comin against Judah and hads prayed for the Lords help. Today we finds out what great victory the Lord gives him.

2 CHRONICLES 20:18-30, 2 CHRONICLES 20:34-37, 1 KINGS 22:45-50

In Sunday's blog we learned the Lord answered Jehoshaphat's prayer through a prophet who promised the king that the Lord would fight for Judah. At this good news, "Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice." (2 Chronicles 20:18-19) Is there any better feeling than knowing our prayers have been answered? Is there any greater sense of relief than having God say yes to our requests? No wonder the people fell on their knees in thankfulness. No wonder the priests began to shout for joy.

"Early in the morning they left for the desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in His prophets and you will be successful.'" (2 Chronicles 20:20) I can relate to what I think is the reason for Jehoshaphat's instructions. Have you ever felt in the spirit that the Lord was saying yes to your prayers, or had an experience with the living God in which you felt certain something wonderful was about to happen? And if so, were you assaulted by doubts soon after? King Jehoshaphat knows that we have an enemy who loves to come along and snatch the praise right out of our mouths and wrest our confidence away from us. The people have had an awesomely uplifting experience in front of the temple but Jehoshaphat knows that Satan wants nothing more than to attack their faith as they leave the house of God. It's one thing to shout praises while standing in church; it's much more difficult to shout praises when standing on the battle line. Jehoshaphat is telling the people not to lose heart, not to fall into doubt, and not to listen to any lies of the enemy. He knows when they see the great army coming against them their hearts may fail for fear if they do not stand firm in faith.

"After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: 'Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.'" (2 Chronicles 20:20-21) This has to be one of the most unusual battle plans in the history of the world: placing singers at the head of the army instead of the fiercest fighting men. 

I think Jehoshaphat did this for two reasons. First, this is intended to keep the people's courage up. Sometimes we go to church with a downcast spirit, feeling discouraged about something that's going on in our lives. Then, after we start singing the praises of the Lord, suddenly we feel a whole lot better. Our problem is still there but we take courage in the God who fights for us. Singing about the Lord reminds us of His great power and might. It reminds us of His love and faithfulness. What better way to strengthen the faith of the soldiers than to have men singing about the deeds and goodness of the Lord as they march into battle?

Second, I believe Jehoshaphat wanted to offer advance praise to the Lord. Praising Him ahead of the victory displays a great deal of faith that what God says about Himself is true and that He is going to do what He said He would do. Not long ago I picked up a book that I had been reading and I noticed the back of it had a heading that said "Advance Praise" and underneath were several endorsements of the book by other authors. I thought to myself, "How can a person give advance praise for a book that isn't even out yet? How can they know whether the book will be good or bad?" In order to give advance praise for a book that hasn't been released yet, we would need to already know something about its author. We would have to either know the author personally or else be familiar with his or her previous works. We would need some sort of assurance about the author to feel confident about going ahead and praising a new work we haven't even read yet. And that's when God used this random little thing on the back of a book to teach me something important about giving Him our advance praise. We can feel safe praising Him in advance because we know Him. We know who He is and the things He has said about Himself. We know His precious and beautiful promises to us. We know He shows Himself faithful to those who are faithful to Him. We are certain of His love because He sent the holy and sinless Lamb of God to pay our penalty so we can spend eternity with Him. We know that God is good all the time and that all His works are good. These things are what grant us the confidence to give God our advance praise. Jehoshaphat believed he knew God well enough and knew God's word well enough to go ahead and praise Him for victory.

"As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated." (2 Chronicles 20:23) As the people praise, the Lord is at work against their enemies. He sets ambushes and we don't know exactly what this means but it appears to be something supernatural. For some reason, these three allied armies turn against each other on their way to fight Judah. "The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another." (2 Chronicles 20:22-23) It could be that the Lord allowed spirits of confusion and discord to come upon them. We learned last week that the Lord allowed a deceiving spirit to tempt the advisers of King Ahab into prophesying falsely, so it could be that in today's passage He allows deceiving spirits to tempt Judah's enemies into some type of vicious quarrel. Satan and the other fallen angels constantly desire to "steal and kill and destroy", according to the Lord Jesus in John 10:10. God holds them back from a great deal of the things they would like to do to mankind, but occasionally He lets them do what comes naturally to them when it suits His purposes. He allowed them to tempt wicked prophets and wicked King Ahab because He had determined to use that situation to judge the rebellious hearts of the bad prophets and the bad king. In today's passage, it could be He used a similar method in bringing to nothing the schemes of Judah's enemies. Judah was being attacked without cause. Judah was living in peace, not bothering any of her neighbors. And so God used some means we don't fully understand to eliminate the enemy.

"When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value---more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day." (2 Chronicles 20:24-26) The Lord had promised through the prophet Jahaziel that Judah would not have to fight this battle. When they arrive at the battle scene, it's already over and their enemies are defeated. The people praised the Lord so much for the victory that the valley there was named Berakah, which means praise.

"Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets. The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side." (2 Chronicles 20:27-30) A great celebration takes place when the army arrives back at Jerusalem in victory, carrying all the plunder they took from their enemies. They march right up to the temple and give thanks to the God who rescued them. When word of this miraculous deliverance gets out it causes the surrounding nations to fear the God of Israel and His powerful might on behalf of His people. They are afraid to try and make war with God's people and so Jehoshaphat and Judah are able to enjoy a time of peace.

We will finish with concluding comments about Jehoshaphat from both the books of 2nd Chronicles and 1st Kings, "The other events of Jehoshaphat's reign, from beginning to end, are written in the annals of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the books of the kings of Israel." (2 Chronicles 20:34) "As for the other events of Jehoshaphat's reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the books of the annals of the kings of Judah? He rid the land of the last of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa. There was then no king in Edom; a provincial governor ruled." (1 Kings 22:45-47) The reason the author of 1st kings mentions there being no king in Edom is because Jehoshaphat will build a fleet of ships in Edomite territory. At that time their territory must have been subject to the kingdom of Judah.

"Later, Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber, Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, 'Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.' The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade." (2 Chronicles 20:35-37) The author of 1st Kings gives a less detailed account of why the ships were wrecked, "Now Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail---they were wrecked at Ebion Gezer. At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, 'Let my men sail with yours,' but Jehoshaphat refused." (1 Kings 22:48-49) Some critics have attempted to prove that these two accounts contradict each other, claiming that one book says Jehoshaphat did make an alliance with Ahaziah and one book says he didn't. But I think these passages read as if events took place like this: Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah teamed up to built a fleet of trading ships in Edomite territory for the purpose of bringing gold from Ophir as Solomon did. But the Lord was not pleased that Jehoshaphat had become "unequally yoked" with a godless man. (2 Corinthians 6:14) The Lord doesn't tell us we can't have friends and co-workers who are unbelievers, but He does tell us not to enter into intimate partnerships with unbelievers, such as in marriage or in business. Because the Lord was displeased with the alliance, He sent a prophet to confront Jehoshaphat with his sin and with the news that the business venture would not be successful. The Bible doesn't tell us how the fleet was wrecked, but it goes on to say that at that time Ahaziah proposed the idea of a combined navy, and I think this means Ahaziah wanted to try again to build a fleet. This time Jehoshaphat wisely said no, having taken heed to the words of the prophet and having repented. To me, there is no contradiction in these passages. It's simply that Jehoshaphat learned his lesson the first time and, after the wreck of the fleet, rejected Ahaziah's idea of a second venture. 

"Then Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son succeeded him as king." (1 Kings 22:50) Several times the Bible refers to David as Jehoshaphat's father due to the custom of naming the most renowned ancestor in a person's lineage. Though not literally Jehoshaphat's father, I believe the life and the writings of David had a tremendous impact on Jehoshaphat. We have seen a number of similarities between the two men. They both purposed in their hearts to seek God above all things. They were faithful to the Lord and walked in His ways. They were good kings who set a godly example to follow. Both men were human and therefore made some mistakes, but both were quick to repent upon realizing they were in the wrong. I think the author deliberately intended to draw a parallel between the faith of King David and the faith of King Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat's real father Asa was one of the good kings of Judah, but instead the author keeps referring to David as Jehoshaphat's father. It's my opinion that this is because David was more of a father in the faith to Jehoshaphat than his own father was, though they never knew each other in life. Asa stumbled in the faith in his final years and we are not told that he ever repented of it, dying instead of a lingering illness and failing to seek the help of the Lord at the end of his reign. He did not finish well. So the author, and perhaps Jehoshaphat himself, enjoyed the honor of comparing Jehoshaphat to David.

Being called a son of David was a great honor to the kingly line. Those who were of David's lineage and followed in David's footsteps in the faith could proudly call themselves a son of David. The phrase "Son of David" was also used as a Messianic title for the One who was to come. The Lord promised David a man to sit on the throne forever, a man who would come of his own lineage, a man who would rule in perfect righteousness, and that is why the Lord Jesus holds the title of Son of David. Jesus has the right to the throne by human lineage and He has the right to the throne by the will of God, by spiritual lineage. The godly kings of Judah set some great examples of faith for us to follow, but even they pale in comparison to the example the Lord Jesus set for us. And someday this perfect, holy, and righteous King will sit on David's throne and rule the world. Times were good in Judah when godly kings sat on the throne. Just imagine what this world will be like when our Lord sits on the throne!

Prophets And Kings, Day 56. The Deeds Of King Jehoshpahat Of Judah, Part 3

Prophets And Kings

Day 56

The Deeds Of King Jehoshaphat Of Judah

Part 3

INTRODUCTION BY BELINDA

Trouble comes upon Judah in the form of a coalition of nations that want to make war wif em. We studies the first half of this section today and we sees that Jehoshaphat depends on the Lord, not on his large army and not on his weapons.

2 CHRONICLES 20:1-17

Yesterday we saw Jehoshaphat heed the words of the prophet who said he did wrong in allying himself with King Ahab of Israel, so Jehoshaphat remained in his own country, teaching the people about the Lord. He also appointed godly judges in all the districts. Today's events take place following those things, "After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat." (2 Chronicles 20:1) These were idolatrous and warlike tribes, some of whom even had the abominable practice of child sacrifice. In the Old Testament, these peoples come back again and again to trouble Judah and Israel.

"Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, 'A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar." (That is, En Gedi.)" (2 Chronicles 20:2) Although we learned a few days ago that Jehoshaphat had several hundred thousand able-bodied troops, his army is still quite small in comparison to the combined forces of the Canaanites coming against him. He knows his army is too small to meet such a threat.

"Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him." (2 Chronicles 20:3-4) I don't think there's anything wrong with a godly man being alarmed at bad news. We all find ourselves shocked and alarmed when bad news suddenly comes to us. I don't feel it indicates a lack of faith on Jehoshaphat's part because the first thing he does is seek the Lord in his troubles. What a great example he sets for us. We never know when alarming news may come to us but our first reaction should be like Jehoshaphat's: we should resolve to inquire of the Lord. It may be the Lord's will that, after speaking with Him, we also take advantage of the help of a doctor or lawyer or whoever else is able to assist us, but turning to the Lord first is the best decision we can make. 

Imagine if Jehoshaphat had not spent his time in the godly pursuit of traveling throughout the nation and preaching the word of the Lord. Would all the people have come together in one mind and one accord to seek the Lord? Would all the people have immediately obeyed the command to fast and pray? Jehoshaphat has put himself and the nation in the best position they could possibly be in when trouble comes. He has taught the people that their strength is in the Lord and that their help comes from Him. Mortal enemies are nothing when compared to the living God. When these enemies come against the faithful people of God, they are coming against God Himself. His mighty protective hand is on His people and no matter how big the Canaanite army, one word from God is more than enough to wipe them out if He so chooses. This is the God who created everything that exists, the God who preserved a family and all the animals during a global flood, the God who parted the Red Sea, the God who gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf and who called the dead to life again. What is an army compared to Him? 

"Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in front of the new courtyard and said: 'Lord, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand You.'"(2 Chronicles 20:5-6) Beginning our prayer for help by reminding ourselves of the power of God is a wonderful way to encourage ourselves in the faith. Before making his request, Jehoshaphat extols the great power of God. This reminds me of the prayer of the Lord Jesus who began like this, "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name." (Matthew 6:9) The Lord Jesus began His prayer by reminding Himself and everyone around Him that God's name is to be honored and respected because He is holy and mighty and able to fight for us. 

Jehoshaphat continues, "Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?" (2 Chronicles 20:7) This is another awesome example of prayer. After encouraging himself in the strength of the Lord, Jehoshaphat goes on to encourage himself by remembering past victories the Lord has won for the nation. It's helpful to us as well to think back on all the times the Lord has brought us through. How many times has He turned our circumstances around? How many times has He provided for us when we didn't know how we were going to pay our bills? How many times has He healed us when we were sick? How many times has He come through when we didn't see a way through? When making a new request of God, it helps us a great deal to think back on all the times He's answered prayers in the past.

Jehoshaphat displays a grateful spirit by telling the Lord how the people have used the land He gave them, "They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for Your name, saying, 'If calamity comes upon us, we will stand in Your presence before this temple that bears Your name and will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear us and save us." (2 Chronicles 20:8-9) The people have used the land the Lord gave them to build a temple in His name, a place of worship, a place to bring their offerings for atonement in recognition of their sins, a place to receive forgiveness, a place to pray for help. Jehoshaphat stands where Solomon likely stood at the dedication of temple and said to the Lord, "Hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive." (1 Kings 8:30) 

Now the king gets to the body of his prayer, his plea for help, "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory You would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession You gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You." (2 Chronicles 20:10-12) The Lord did not allow Israel to attack the people of Mount Seir because these were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. He did not allow them to take the land of the Ammonites or the Moabites because these were the descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew. Jehoshaphat points out that Israel was obedient to the Lord in these commands and yet the peoples they spared have been no friend to Israel. These tribes have repaid Israel's kindness with evil. 

Have you ever been betrayed by someone to whom you had shown nothing but kindness? Have you ever had a friend or family member do something so horrendous to you that you were actually in shock? Has anyone you don't even know or barely know done an evil thing to you for no reason? There was a time in my life when someone very close to me and someone I had never even met betrayed me in a way I could never have imagined or predicted. Both were suddenly, in the words of King David, "my enemy without cause". When I went to the Lord in prayer during that time, I couldn't help but do something Jehoshaphat did in the passage above, I pointed out the cleanness of my hands in the whole matter. Jehoshaphat reminds the Lord that Israel obeyed his commands not to harm the descendants of Esau and Lot, but these people have become enemies without cause. He says, "See how they are repaying us?" I think it's fine if we, in a humble spirit, point out to God that someone is repaying our goodness with evil as Jehoshaphat does and as David did in Psalm 35. During my trouble, I often prayed Psalm 35, "Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me...Lord, You have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Vindicate me in Your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me." (Psalm 35:1, 22-24) 

2 Chronicles 20 is one of my favorite chapters of the Bible. It's a chapter the Lord used to minister to me in that particular trouble. It's easy to see why the Bible tells us that King Jehoshaphat walked in the footsteps of his ancestor King David. They both appear to be a men after God's own heart. They both were men who sought the Lord above all else and even though they stumbled from time to time, both were quick to repent when confronted with their mistakes. We can learn a lot from the relationships these men had with the Lord and from how they faced their problems.

After Jehoshaphat completes his prayer to the Lord, the people stand before the temple in silence, and I believe it was an expectant silence. It was the type of silence that indicates something is about to happen. These people prayed in an attitude of faith, expecting God to answer. They prayed like David did when he said, "In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly." (Psalm 5:3) "All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord." (2 Chronicles 20:13) I picture the Lord looking down from heaven on His people, looking down at the men and women, the children, the helpless infants, and I know His heart broke for them. I know His compassion and love overwhelmed Him. Of course He is going to act on behalf of those who love Him and seek His face! He knows they are helpless before the great army approaching them and He knows they are looking to Him for victory. Jehoshaphat's army is no match for the combined forces of the nations coming against them. Often in life we are no match for who and what comes against us. We are outnumbered. We see there is no humanly chance of victory. And sometimes that's the best place we can be! Because when we recognize our victory can only come from God, we seek Him and we seek Him with all our hearts. Our faith rises up to a new level when we witness our God going into battle for us. In the future we will be able to step out into bigger projects for the kingdom of our God because we will possess the confidence in our Redeemer to take on great things in His name.

The Lord now answers the prayers of the people in a mighty way, "Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: 'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

We have learned in our studies of 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings that often the Lord asks people to participate in the battle with Him. There are times when that is necessary to strengthen their faith. But there are other times, like today, when He asks them just to stand firm and witness their victory. In my particular trouble I mentioned earlier today, the Lord used the words of Jahaziel to tell me that my only duty was to stand firm in the Lord, that the battle was not mine but His. There was nothing I, in my human strength, could do but trust in the Lord. The battle was too big and the enemy was too great. 

The victory the Lord won for me didn't happen overnight. It took years. I fell into discouragement from time to time. I stumbled and fell here and there and had to climb back up and march on. But at no time was it a battle I could win in my own strength. At no time was it a victory I was capable of winning without the Lord. He simply asked me to do what He asked Jehoshaphat to do: take up my position and stand firm and wait for God's deliverance. Did the Lord come through for me because I was special? No, He did something for me He will do for any of His children. I messed up a number of times and in a number of ways while waiting for victory. I fell victim to despair and hopelessness. I became weary and wanted to quit. But each time He showed up and strengthened me so I could get on my feet again. The Lord doesn't ask or expect us to be perfect because He knows we aren't perfect. He just asks us to do what is humanly possible to do, in faith, and rely on Him to do the rest. Jehoshaphat understood this. David understood this. That is why the Lord gave them great victories.

On this Sabbath, let's determine in our hearts to seek the Lord. There is little we can do in our own strength and our enemy, the devil, is strong. But greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) Sometimes the Lord will ask us to get on the battle line with Him, other times He will ask is to simply stand still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10) Seeking Him will tell us which one He is calling us to do. Seeking Him will bring us victory.

Prophets And Kings, Day 55. The Deeds Of King Jehoshaphat Of Judah, Part 2

Prophets And Kings

Day 55

The Deeds Of King Jehoshaphat Of Judah

Part 2

INTRODUCTION BY BELINDA
We continue ours study of a godly king, Jehoshaphat of Judah.

2 CHRONICLES 18:1, 2 CHRONICLES 19:1-11

We spoke yesterday about how Jehoshaphat took steps to strengthen Judah against any enemy that might want to come against her in battle. He trained hundreds of thousands of soldiers and supplied them with armor and weapons, plus he made peace with King Ahab of Israel so he would not have any problems with him. In addition, he solidified his alliance with Israel by connecting his family to Ahab's by marriage, "Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage." (2 Chronicles 18:1) We will find when we get to 2nd Kings that Jehoshaphat's son was married to Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab. However, in time this will prove to be a bad decision because she will lead her husband astray just as her mother Jezebel led Ahab astray.

We studied last week about Ahab's death in battle against Ben-Hadad of Aram. Because of their peace treaty and family connection, Jehoshaphat had joined forces with Ahab to fight their common enemy and retake Ramoth Gilead, a part of the promised land that Ben-Hadad refused to return to Israel even though he had agreed to do so. The Lord was not pleased that Jehoshaphat gave aid to a wicked king like Ahab and when he returned to Jerusalem, the Lord had these words of rebuke for him, "When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God." (2 Chronicles 19:1-3) Though Jehoshaphat was one of Judah's best kings, he also made mistakes. His heart was set on seeking God just like the heart of King David, but also like King David he messed up sometimes. I've always been so thankful that the Bible presents people just like they were, with all their faults, because it gives me hope that the Lord can use me too, with all my faults.

Apparently Jehoshaphat's sin was in caring for Ahab because they were of the same people and because of their connection by marriage. He automatically responded to Ahab's request for help, putting his own troops from Judah in danger and creating enmity between the people of Judah and the king of Aram. Because the nation of Judah still had the temple and had not fallen nearly as far into idolatry as Israel, the Lord intended for Jehoshaphat to distance himself from Ahab's troubles. The Lord was going to use Ahab's stubborn pride to bring him down and Jehoshaphat needed to stay out of it. Nevertheless, the Lord commended Jehoshaphat's removal of the high places and idols in and the fact that Jehoshaphat had settled it in his heart to worship God alone. Trouble will come into his life to teach him a lesson about allying himself with the wrong people, but the Lord preserved his life in battle and brought him safely home because of his faithfulness.

"Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors." (2 Chronicles 19:4) We are not told what Jehoshaphat said in reply to the words of rebuke from the prophet, but his actions prove he is willing to be obedient to the Lord. He now stays within the borders of his own nation, witnessing to the people about the Lord and turning their hearts back to Him. He has apparently already made at least one journey like this before, because the Bible tells us "he went out again". Jehoshaphat is like an old-time circuit preacher, traveling throughout the land proclaiming the truth of God's word. What a wonderful ministry. 

"He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. He told them, 'Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.'" (2 Chronicles 19:5-7) Jehoshaphat reminds these judges that the eyes of God are upon them and He will know whether they judge fairly. They are to judge according to the laws of the Lord, as He would judge, and accept no bribes and consider no one's wealth or fame when making decisions. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the USA could have a president like Jehoshaphat and judges who are sternly cautioned to judge as the Lord would judge? Our constitution basically forbids this, as the government cannot enforce or endorse any particular religion, but just take a minute and imagine what our nation would be like if all our leaders and judges honored the Lord and sought Him above all else. But we are not hopeless, no matter what the leaders of our government choose to do, because as Christians it is our duty to pray for those in power and for the citizens of our country. On behalf of those who honor Him, I believe the Lord will hear the prayers for the nation. 

There is something beautiful and comforting in what Jehoshaphat says to the judges and I don't want us to miss it, "With the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery." Our righteous and faithful God cannot be swayed to judge wrongly, God has promised those who are His that He will repay our enemies for their evil toward us. (Deuteronomy 32:35) When the time comes to judge our enemies, their status on this earth won't mean a thing. They won't be able to buy their way out of receiving a penalty. Their worldly influence will be as nothing before the powerful Judge. God knows every injustice that has ever taken place since the beginning of time and we can rest peacefully in the assurance that He will judge fairly. God will not believe a false story. He will not let the guilty go free. He won't choose someone else's word over ours just because of who they are or how much money they have. God will judge according to what is right and we can trust Him.

"In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the Lord and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. He gave them these orders: 'You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord. In every case that comes before you from your people who live in the cities---whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or regulations---you are to warn them not to sin against the Lord; otherwise His wrath will come on you and your people.'" (2 Chronicles 19:8-10) Jehoshaphat appointed godly men as judges at Jerusalem. In all cases, big or small, they were to judge faithfully according to the law of the Lord. They were also to give spiritual instruction and advice to all who came before them with cases.

Jehoshaphat went on to say, "Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well." (2 Chronicles 19:11) The chief priest would be head of any case involving religious matters and the leader of the tribe of Judah would be head of any civil case. In all things these men were to be aware that they have a Judge over them who is righteous and holy, who will know if they fail to judge properly according to God's laws and the laws of the king. 

Jehoshaphat ends his speech by urging the men of God to act courageously. When we know we are in the will of God, we can be courageous. "The righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1) When we know we are doing what is right in the eyes of God, life won't necessarily be easy, but we can take heart knowing our God is with us. Jehoshaphat bestows a blessing on all who walk fearlessly in the will of God, "May the Lord be with those who do well." 

Jehoshaphat is walking in the footsteps of his ancestor David and we will conclude with some words of King David that go along with what Jehoshaphat said today, "Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry." (Psalm 34:11-15) 

Let's go out today and act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well. 

Prophets And Kings, Day 54. The Deeds Of King Jehoshaphat Of Judah, Part 1

Prophets And Kings

Day 54

The Deeds Of King Jehoshaphat Of Judah

Part 1

INTRODUCTION BY BELINDA
We are going to spend a few days studyin a good king of Judah and the things him dids during hims reign.

1 KINGS 22:41-44, 2 CHRONICLES 17:1-19

"Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel." (1 Kings 22:41-44) When we studied Asa, we found that for most of his life he was obedient to God and was zealous about removing idolatry from the nation. In his later years he became concerned about the strength of King Baasha of Israel and sent gifts to make an alliance between himself and Ben-Hadad the king of Aram so they could combine their forces against Israel. The prophet Hanani confronted Asa with his sin of trusting in an idolatrous king to help him instead of trusting in the Lord. Angry, Asa had Hanani put in prison. He also lost some of his integrity in the way he treated the people of Judah in his final years. But overall Asa was one of Judah's better kings and he managed to raise a godly son.

The author of 2nd Chronicles tells us, "Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel. He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured." (2 Chronicles 17:1-2) Jehoshaphat was determined not to make the mistake of his father in relying on a foreign king to help him defend Judah against her enemies. 

"The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed His commands rather than the practices of Israel. The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor." (2 Chronicles 17:3-5) The Lord blessed Jehoshaphat for his faithfulness. The king's material blessings showed the nation that the Lord was pleased with him, pleased that he stayed true to the God of Abraham, pleased that he did not engage in idolatry.

"His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah." (2 Chronicles 17:6) Above, in the passage from 1st Kings, we were told he left the high places and the people continued to sacrifice and burn incense there. I don't think this is a contradiction because there were two types of high places in Judah. Before the ark was brought to Jerusalem, the people were in the habit of building altars to the Lord on the hilltops and worshiping Him there. We saw the prophet Samuel sacrificing on the high places when we studied 1st and 2nd Samuel. These altars were consecrated to God and evidently were the ones Jehoshaphat did not remove. He would have done well to remove them because sacrifices and offerings should only have been made at Jerusalem where the ark was and where the temple was. Leaving any high places in Judah was a temptation to the people not to come to the temple. I believe the high places we are told Jehoshaphat did remove are the pagan altars, for the author of 2nd Chronicles mentions them in conjunction with Asherah poles. 

"In the third year of his reign he sent his officials to Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah. With them were certain Levites---Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tob-Adonijah---and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people." (2 Chronicles 17:7-9) What a wonderful missionary system Jehoshaphat established! What a noble pursuit! By sending these godly teachers out, the entire nation could hear and understand the word of God. Hearing the law taught them about a holy God and what He expects of man. It gave them a pattern to live by. Rather than passing his own laws and making certain the nation understood them, Jehoshaphat passed around the law of God to all the territories of his kingdom, making certain the nation understood them. 

"The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat. Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks; seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats." (2 Chronicles 17:10-11) There is power in the life of a believer and the surrounding nations recognized that Jehoshaphat's God was with him. They understood that the strength and prosperity of his kingdom came from the Lord. It seemed prudent to them to make friends with the king of Judah. This could be the reason he was at peace with Israel, because the king of Israel saw it was in his best interests to be at peace with Jehoshaphat. 

"Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah and had large supplies in the towns of Judah. He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem. Their enrollment by families was as follows: From Judah, commanders of units of 1,000: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 fighting men; next, Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000; next, Amasiah son of Zikri, who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord, with 200,000. From Benjamin: Eliada, a valiant soldier, with 200,000 men armed with bows and shields; next, Jehozabad, with 180,000 men armed for battle. These were the men who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah." (2 Chronicles 17:12-19) This was a great army, reminiscent of the military might of King David's times. Jehoshaphat depended on the Lord to help him but this doesn't mean he sat idly on a couch in the palace, doing nothing to help himself. The Lord expects us to use what He has provided, and in Jehoshaphat's case He had provided hundreds of thousands of brave men and the materials for the manufacture of weapons and shields. 

The Lord expects us to participate in our victories. He intends us to use what He has blessed us with, along with our prayers and our trust in Him, to give us success. The Lord doesn't call us to be lazy recruits but to be experienced fighting soldiers. I am reminded of the quote by the English minister William Lonsdale Watkinson, "It is far better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." How foolish it would be of us to sit unhappily in the dark when the Lord has provided us with a candle. Jehoshaphat wasn't about to do that. The Lord had provided him with the intelligence and the wealth to employ and train a vast army and to supply them with the proper armor and weapons. Jehoshaphat recognized the foolishness of falling into laziness and complacency when Judah was surrounded by enemies. He understood the value of being ready for battle.

In our times we may not all be called to go onto the literal battlefield, but every day the Christian is on a spiritual battlefield. The last thing God wants is for us to become spiritually lazy. He has called us into His army and has equipped us with all the armor we need to stand firm against any enemy, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13) Our strength is in God and in His mighty power, but we are to wear the armor He has given us. The Apostle Paul says, "after you have done everything", meaning we are to do what God has called us to do, as much as is humanly possible, depending on Him to do the rest. Jehoshaphat used what God had provided him in order to make the nation secure, then he depended on God's divine help for what man could not do. This doesn't mean we are to seek human help first and God's help last, because I believe Jehoshaphat was a man who always sought God first, but training and arming the soldiers against enemies could be compared to us shutting and locking the doors on our homes against thieves. The Lord has provided us with places to live, places with doors and locks, and it would be silly of us not to use them. Likewise, the Lord has provided us with armor to protect our minds and our hearts and our souls, along with weapons to stave off the lies of our enemy the devil, and it would be silly of us not to use them. 

The Apostle Paul went on to say, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kind of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (Ephesians 6:14-20) The Lord has given us His truth to live by, the righteousness of Christ to protect our hearts, and the peace that comes from knowing the gospel. He has given us a shield of faith to hold up in front of us to deflect the fiery darts of our enemy Satan. The Lord has outfitted us with a helmet of salvation to protect our minds and the sword of His word so we can fight back against the enemy. And He has given us the mighty weapon of prayer, perhaps the most powerful weapon of all. Why sit and curse the darkness when He has given us enough candles to light up the world? His word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. (Psalm 119:105) His light is going to get us all the way home.