STUDY III. FINISHING STRONG

 

THE LIFE OF JEHOSHAPHAT 

Jehoshaphat was one of the kings of Judah. He was the son of King Asa who was one of the godliest kings of Israel. He had a godly heritage.

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father’s early years and did not worship the images of Baal. He sought his father’s God and obeyed his commands instead of following the evil practices of the kingdom of Israel. He was deeply committed to the ways of the Lord. He removed the pagan shrines and Asherah poles from Judah. 2Chron 17:3-4,6

He sent the Levites to teach the law of the Lord to the Israelites and the fear of the Lord filled the whole land. He helped the Israelites to know God and fear Him

Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab’s daughter. 2Chron 18:1-34

Ahab as we know was an evil king, but Jehoshaphat didn't care about that. He didn't understand that bad company corrupts good morals.

He visited Ahab and Ahab asked to join him in battle.

Jehoshaphat asked Ahab to inquire of the Lord first. He had discernment to first of all hear what God was saying about the situation.

It's always important to develop that attitude, that before joining a spiritual battle or before undertaking anything, to first enquire from the Lord, to hear what the Lord says about the matter.

Ahab called 400 false prophets who spoke well of Him. Even today, false prophets will always tell you what you want to hear. The false prophets never speak on repentance, or the way of the cross or on sin or on God's judgement or hell.

Jehoshaphat was not convinced about them and asked whether there was no prophet of God. Micaiah was called and prophesied his doom and he was slain in battle.

Jehoshaphat returned and God sent Jehu to warn him.

Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. “Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?” he asked the king. “Because of what you have done, the Lord is very angry with you. 2Chr 19:2.

The true prophets are not men pleasers but speak the very mind of God straight to your face.

He appointed judges and told them to judge the people in the fear of God.

Then he charged them saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly. 2Chron 19:9

A message was sent to Jehoshaphat if a great army marching to attack him.

Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2Chron 20:2-4

He prayed, and reminded God of His covenant  and acknowledged their weakness. Vs 6-12“O Lord God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 

God spoke and instructed them and God fought for them. 

In every battle you read of in the new testament, God always gave different instructions. There is no formula for fighting; we always have to seek God on what to do in every battle.

God always speaks when we seek Him wholeheartedly and desperately concerning any matter.

What is your first response when you face challenges. Learn to always seek God.

Vs 33 says that During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors.

This one of the omissions in his life.

Some time later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was very wicked.  2Chron 20:35

Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.” So the ships were broken and could not go to Tarshish. Vs 37

The next verse is that he died and was buried.

He started well but ended poorly. 

We can see the reason was that he joined himself with wicked men  and what he was supposed to do but he omitted.

He did many wonderful things for God yet he ended poorly because of the company. The authority God gave him, he didn't use it to remove the pagan shrines from Israel and thus people did not fully commit themselves to the Lord.

Take heed to your company.

Do not be deceived. Bad company corrupts good morals. 1Cor 15:33.

What you omit doing may cost you to end your Christian life poorly.

You are blessed to be a blessing 

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@Blessed Mshindi Mambo