Is The LORD with you?
2 Chronicles 17
2 Chronicles 17recounts events in the remarkable story of Jehoshaphat , a king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:3 states that The LORD was with Jehoshaphat and it states the reasons why.
i. It is because Jehoshaphat walked in the ways of his ancestor David
ii. Jehoshaphat did not seek or follow the instructions of idols and strange gods.
iii. Jehoshaphat sought the Living GOD
iv. Jehoshaphat walked in HIS Commandments, in other words , HE did what the LORD say to do and did not do what The LORD said not to do. Jehoshaphat did not do the evil that was practiced in Israel. 2 Chronicles 17: 3-4.
v. Jehoshaphat was devoted to the ways of The LORD. In other words , Jehoshaphat was committed to the LORD. Verse 6. Not only was he committed , he was delighted in the ways of The LORD.
vi. This Jehoshaphat, also removed high places and wooden images from Judah. This, I interpret as, he was actively against the worship of strange gods and idolatry in Israel and used his position as king to put a stop to these activities. Verse 6
In addition, Jehoshaphat opened a mobile school that operated in the land. This school was staffed by his officials, Levites and two priests. They taught in Judah. What were they teaching? The law of the LORD. Further, later in 2 Chronicles 19:5-10, Jehoshaphat established a judicial system that was intent on honoring the LORD and HIS ways. This man Jehoshaphat truly loved the LORD.
What did The MOST HIGH do for him?
i. The LORD gave him total control of the Kingdom of Judah. Verse 5
ii. The LORD made HIS fear fall on all the neighbors of Judah and the surrounding lands so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat. Verse 10, 2 Chronicles 20:29
iii. The people both of Judah and people who could be considered as enemies of Judah, the Philistines and Arabians gave presents to their king Jehoshaphat making him very wealthy. Verse 5 and 11
iv. Jehoshaphat further had honor and grew more and more powerful. Verse 5 and 12.
v. Jehoshaphat had a great army and people dedicated and committed to him. 2 Chronicles 18:1
What happened after this?
Our friend, Jehoshaphat went ahead and allied himself with Ahab through marriage. The great things that were happening to Jehoshaphat because the LORD was with him did not escape the eyes of the wily and crafty, the eyes of people like Ahab.
Ahab used the classic ways to capture a man. Throw him an unforgettable party. 2 Chronicles 18:2
Apparently, Jehoshaphat forgot that there is no such thing as a free lunch, because the next thing Ahab was asking Jehoshaphat to go fight Ahab’s battle in Ramoth Gilead.
Our clean hearted Jehoshaphat agreed to go, perhaps out of a sense of brotherhood with Israel. Jehoshaphat asked that they hear from the LORD, and of course, Ahab paraded an array of false prophets, and Jehoshaphat could see right through them. When a genuine prophet was called, the message of the prophet was disregarded and our beloved Jehoshaphat went into battle with Ahab.
This Ahab made Jehoshaphat dress up like a king, of course so that he could take the fall, while Ahab himself wore a disguise. 2 Chronicles 18:29. Why on earth did Jehoshaphat agree to this? I don’t know but he did. Of course, when the battle started everyone trained their guns on Jehoshaphat and he cried out to The LORD who helped him and diverted the army from him. Faithful GOD, all glory to HIS NAME.
Ahab still ended up dead in that battle, true to the word of GOD spoken by the real prophet, but what a lesson for Jehoshaphat and all of us.
2 Chronicles 19:1 tells us that Jehoshaphat returned safely to his house. Of course, a servant of GOD was there to rebuke him for associating with the wicked. The prophet told Jehoshaphat that for this, GOD was angry with him. It is implied in verse 3 , that were it not for the good things he had done that were pleasing to The LORD, Jehoshaphat would have faced the consequences of his dalliance with the enemies of GOD.
This is the same Jehoshaphat from whose reign we get the famous statement “….the battle is not yours, but GOD’s”… 2Chronicles 20: 15, in the famous battle, where the enemies of Judah fought themselves and left Judah rejoicing with a great rejoicing, a great victory , great spoil and great praises to The LORD.
Jehoshaphat’s weaknesses were that :
i. He did not take away the high places, 2Chronicles 20:33 , this is attributed to the fact that his people , the people of Judah “.. had not directed their hearts to the GOD of their fathers.”
ii. He had an affinity of associating with wicked people. In addition to Ahab, he allied himself with Ahaziah of Israel who acted wickedly.2 Chronicles 20: 35-37. This alliance ended in The LORD destroying this business endeavour.
So, beloved, what do we learn from our friend, Jehoshaphat.
i. Do as much for The LORD as you can. Follow him wholeheartedly. Do whatever is in your power to ensure that others follow HIM. Do whatever is in your power to establish the things and matters of The MOST HIGH. Remember, The LORD is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek him. HE greatly rewarded Jehoshaphat.
ii. Do not seek counsel from other sources. Ask the LORD what to do then do it. Do things like they are done in the kingdom of GOD.
iii. Do as much as within your power and ability to teach others about our FATHER, HIS commandments and HIS ways.
iv. Be just. Tell others to be just.
v. Stop associating with evil and wicked people. Don’t help them. If you do, in addition to endangering yourself and your soul, GOD will be angry with you. For Jehoshaphat, he had done good things that seemingly outweighed the bad. When he called on The LORD in the midst of his failing, The LORD answered him and helped him. Now you, you have very few good deeds if any and you are walking around and mingling with evil and wicked people. They will swallow you. Be warned.
vi. As concerns marriage, marry wisely. Once you are married, you have formed an alliance with the person you are marrying and their families and friends. Argue all you want but it’s the truth and a day will come , the alliance will make a demand. The bible says, yoke ye note yourselves with unbelievers. Enough said.
vii. When The LORD is with you, His servants shall not lack in your life. You will not miss a word. See this king Jehoshaphat, with Micaiah, Jehu, the son of Hanani the seer, Jahaziel son of Zechariah, Eliezer son of Dodaver. Note that the reign of Jehoshaphat is marked by prophets, priests and Levites of no mean standing. Jehoshaphat was not killing or jailing them even when the message they had was not favorable towards him.
viii. 2 Chronicles 19: 11 “…Behave courageously, and The LORD will be with the good.” Beloved shun evil, courageously shun evil. Then you can ably say that your battles belong to the LORD. Do not be deceived beloved, The LORD is with those who are with HIM. Take note.
Beloved, the scripture informs us, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15.
Do you want to know JESUS as your personal Lord and Savior? Your eternity is at stake! JESUS has opened the door of salvation to every person. But there is coming a day when the door will be closed. Today is the day of salvation. Choose to be in the family of GOD. JESUS died so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with HIM. Don't delay! And if you want to begin a relationship with GOD or resume a broken one, say this: O GOD, I come to YOU today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that JESUS died on the cross to save me and HE resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess JESUS as my LORD and SAVIOR . I invite JESUS into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank YOU JESUS for saving me and making me a child of GOD. Amen
