“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 19:2-3

These words were spoken to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, by the prophet of the Lord, Jehu. This statement perfectly sums up the reign of Jehoshaphat. For he was a good king who did much to honor the Lord in the kingdom of Judah such as getting rid of the detestable Asherah poles which were used in goddess worship. However, his major downfall was his continued attempts to become allies with the wicked northern kingdom of Israel.

Last month, we saw how the son (Abijah) and grandson (Asa) of the wicked king of Judah, Rehoboam, followed the Lord, but turned to foreign nations and kings to help them in their struggle against the wicked kings of Israel. The Lord approved of their fight, but He wanted them to trust His power and guidance and not rely on other nations.

However, Jehoshaphat tried to find peace with the northern kingdom directly by becoming allies with one of its most wicked kings, Ahab. Ahab and his wife Jezebel killed many of the true prophets of the Lord and were constantly trying to kill Elijah who spoke out against them.

Despite the Lord cursing the house of Ahab, Jehoshaphat foolishly went into battle with him against the king of Aram. Ahab, as the Lord predicted, was killed in the battle even though he was in disguise, but the Lord spared Jehoshaphat, although he sent the prophet Jehu to deliver the rebuke discussed earlier.

However, Jehoshaphat did not learn his lesson and continued to try to both serve the Lord and seek unity with Israel and Ahab’s wicked son, Ahaziah. Even though the Lord blessed Judah during Jehoshaphat’s reign, his poor choices would have a disastrous effect. For he had given one of the daughters of Ahab as a wife for his eldest son, Jehoram. She would lead Jehoram to follow the wickedness of Ahab. When Jehoshaphat died, Jehoram, to solidify his power, murdered all of his brothers, beginning a time of turmoil in Judah that would make it seem, for a time, that the line of David had been cut off completely. Next month, we will see how God miraculously kept His promise made to David.

Today we are pressured to seek peace by becoming allies with those who hate God and refuse to keep His commandments. However, while we are to show love to those who outwardly rebel against God, we are not to be allies with them. For such alliances will not bring salvation to them, but instead will cause us to share in their destruction. In Ephesians 5 (I encourage you to read verses 1-20), Paul warns us “do not be partners” with the disobedient (v.7) and to “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (v.11). Instead, we are to live as children of light (v.8) and to walk in the way of love as God’s dearly loved children (v.1).

Blessings, Pastor Barry