2 Chronicles 20: 35-37
July 27, 2023
The End of Jehoshaphat's Reign
After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.
Sometimes it helps to go back and recall what Scripture has said, verses 32, and 33, tell us this about Jehoshaphat’s reign, “He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. The high places, however, were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers.” His father Asa was a man who loved God and honored him.
Do you recall that in the 17 chapters, we read verses 3 and 4,” The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. “You also recall in chapter 18:1, he enters into marriage, “Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab.” And you recall that a few years later Jehoshaphat went to Israel to visit Ahab who was evil in the sight of God. And when asked if he would go into battle against Israel's enemy he said to Ahab, your enemy is my enemy. And God was not pleased with Jehoshaphat. Chapter 19:2,3 gives this account, “But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”
High places, very simply, were places of worship on elevated pieces of ground. High places were originally dedicated to idol worship and Numbers 33:52, tells us what they were to do to them; “then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places.”
Scripture is clear both in marriage and relationship not to enter into an alliance with an evil person. Many Christians believe they will change once they are married, but most often that does not happen in marriage or business. Learn from Jehoshaphat!
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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