The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Jehoshaphat

  • Unfruitful Works

    “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

    Ephesians 5:11

    Jehoshaphat was a good king in Judah. He sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in His commandments (see 2 Chronicles 17:4). Read the description of his heart. “And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: …” (2 Chronicles 17:6a). Notice that his heart was “lifted up” in the ways of the Lord. He strengthened the cities of Judah – physically and spiritually. By placing mighty soldiers in the different cities, he strengthened them physically. When he sent princes, priests, and Levites into every city teaching the Word of God to the people, he strengthened them spiritually (see 2 Chronicles 17:7-9). Recognize what happened after the people were taught the Word of God: “And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat” (2 Chronicles 17:10). When they honored God, learning His Word, God put fear upon the nations around – and there was no war, just peace. This was all good.

    We read something very interesting in 2 Chronicles 18: “Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab” (2 Chronicles 18:1). Joined affinity means “to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage”. Jehoshaphat’s son married Ahab’s daughter. “And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. …” (2 Chronicles 18:2). It is interesting to note that earlier we read that Jehoshaphat’s heart was “lifted up in the ways of the LORD”, and shortly thereafter we read that “he went down to Ahab”. Remember the description we have of Ahab: “30. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. 31. And … he took to wife Jezebel … and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. 32. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33. … and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.” (1 Kings 16:30-33). Jehoshaphat should never have become involved in the life of King Ahab in any way. He went from being “lifted up” to going “down” to meet with Ahab. We are warned often in the Bible to not do this. Read just a couple of verses that he should have heeded:

    • “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).
    • “I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked” (Psalm 26:5).

    Amazingly enough, King Jehoshaphat appeared to have kept his heart pure before the Lord – even with the relationship he had with wicked King Ahab, the worst king of Israel. However, we can read the devastating effect it had upon his children and the nation of Judah. Not only did his son marry wicked King Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter, Athaliah, but she ended up killing almost all of her grandchildren to take the throne of Judah (see 2 Kings 11:1-3).

    Relationships like these are recorded in the Bible so that Christians, today, can learn from them. Remember what King Jehoshaphat did a few times. Something of which we are today warned. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). According to what we read today, King Jehoshaphat should not have had any dealings with the wicked kings of Israel. All it caused him was grief and troubles.

    We have the following verse to help us: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Use the following definitions to better understand this verse:

    • deceived means “to be misled or deceived”
    • evil means “evil works”
    • communications means “lifestyles, conversations”
    • corrupt means “to spoil or violate in a spiritual or moral sense”
    • good means “in a moral sense – good, useful, virtuous”
    • manners means “morals or character – this is the word from which ethics is derived.”

    After reading these definitions, we can understand this verse is a warning to not be deceived but to understand something – evil deeds and conversations will spoil good morals and good character in a person’s life. We can also understand that we are to be very careful about the kind of people with whom we have dealings, and especially to be careful of those that we choose as friends.

    “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). Christians are to be set apart from the wicked things (and even people) of this world. We may not think these things affect us, but at the very least, it has an effect upon the people around us.

    Nevertheless, see what we are exhorted to do in the following verse: “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:34). Often it is because of the choices and friends we make that keep us from being a good witness to others. It is a shame when Christians’ lives are contrary in any way to God’s Word. It is worse when Christians are the ones keeping others from the knowledge of God (allowing them to recognize their need for Jesus).

    Have you chosen to not go down into the unfruitful works of darkness, instead allowing your heart to be lifted up in the ways of the Lord?

  • Lesson 7: 1 Kings 22; 2 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 17-20 Jehoshaphat

    Key Verse

    What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  

    —Romans 8:31

    Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. As you read this verse, recognize that when God is for us, no one can stand against us. But the important thing to understand – just when it is that God is for us. God is with the people who seek to obey God’s commands. “In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it” (Deuteronomy 30:16). Also see: “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing” (Psalm 34:10). 

    Emphasis: As you look at today’s lesson, understand the importance of not only hearing and learning God’s Words, but that it is imperative to implement God’s Word in our lives. Then when the enemies oppose, we can trust God to fight our battles for us.

    Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we considered King Rehoboam a bad king, for he forsook God. We also remembered his son, King Abijam (a bad king) and King Asa (a good king). We learned about many good things they did for Judah. However, King Asa was the king that did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He put away the false idols and served God only.

    In this lesson, we remember that when King Asa died, his son, Jehoshaphat, became king of Judah. He too, was a good king. Once he became king, he eliminated idol worship. He then strengthened the cities of Judah – physically and spiritually. By placing mighty soldiers in the different cities, he strengthened them physically. When he sent princes, priests, and Levites into every city teaching the Word of God to the people, he strengthened them spiritually. 

    When King Jehoshaphat helped wicked King Ahab in battle (the battle in which King Ahab died), King Jehoshaphat almost lost his life. When he cried out to God, God delivered him. For that alliance with wicked King Ahab (and also with King Jehoram), Jehoshaphat was rebuked by the prophet of the Lord. After that rebuke, he sent judges throughout the land to be sure the people not only knew the Word of the Lord, but that God’s Word was implemented in their lives. Then the enemy came up against them. We will see what happens to a people who place their trust in God – not man. When King Ahab’s son became king of Israel, he asked for King Jehoshaphat’s help against Moab. God gave the promise of victory through his prophet Elisha.

    Remember again:  the Chronicles do not dwell upon the wrongdoings of the kings, but what good they accomplished for Judah.

    Y2Q2 – Lesson 7 Questions

    Y2Q2 – Lesson 7 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this lesson to children, the following is a craft idea to help them remember it.

    We made a castle frame with the verse 2 Chronicles 20:21 inside to help us remember when God told Jehoshaphat to send the musicians before the army, and God won the battle for them.

  • Be not Deceived

    “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
    1 Corinthians 15:33

    Jehoshaphat was a good king. Once he became king, he eliminated idol worship. He then strengthened the cities of Judah – physically and spiritually. By placing mighty soldiers in the different cities, he strengthened them physically. When he sent princes, priests, and Levites into every city teaching the Word of God to the people, he strengthened them spiritually. We understand that he was able to remain a good king even though he spent time with wicked King Ahab – the worst king of Israel.

    Although Jehoshaphat was considered a good king, we will learn what effect his relationship with wicked King Ahab (also Ahaziah and Jehoram) had upon not only his children, but also the whole nation of Judah. Godly people are to be set apart from the wicked things (and even people) of this world. We may not think these things affect us, but at the very least, it has an effect upon the people around us. King Jehoshaphat appeared to have kept his heart pure before the Lord – even with the relationship he had with wicked King Ahab, but we can read the devastating effect it had upon his children and the nation of Judah. 

    King Jehoshaphat should have enacted the words King David recorded many years before. “1. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. 4. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked” (Psalm 26:1-5). If he had remembered lived by these words, not only would he have been an even better king, but also much heartache would have been spared. His son was a wicked king.

    Not only are those words recorded for us today as well, but the following verse must be remembered, too. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). This verse has often been translated into a modern proverb: “Bad company ruins good morals.” However, use the following definitions to help you understand this verse:

    • deceived means “to be misled or deceived”
    • evil means “evil works”
    • communications means “lifestyles, conversations”
    • corrupt means “to spoil or violate in a spiritual or moral sense”
    • good means “in a moral sense – good, useful, virtuous”
    • manners means “morals or character – this is the word from which ethics is derived.”

    After reading these definitions, we can understand this verse is a warning not to be deceived but to understand something – evil deeds and conversations (lifestyles) will spoil good morals and good character in a person’s life. We can also understand that we are to be very careful about the kind of people with whom we hang out, and especially to be careful of those that we choose as friends. 

    Nevertheless, see what we are exhorted to do in the following verse: “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:34). Often it is because of the choices and friends we make that keep us from being a good witness to others. It is a shame when Christians’ lives are contrary in any way to God’s Word. It is worse when that keeps others from the knowledge of God (being able to recognize their need for Jesus).

    It is a scary thing to say one knows of God, yet for that one to be ignorant of God. It is a shame for anyone in this day to be ignorant of the things of God – especially those who have “grown up in church” or have Christian parents who taught them the Bible. There are too many resources available to this generation. No one will be able to stand before God in ignorance – unless they so choose. As Christians, we should always tell others about the things of God and encourage other Christians to continue learning throughout their lives by prayer and the reading of God’s Word.

    Are you one who is not deceived, living a life that is a witness of Jesus to others?