2 Chronicles 18:1-34

Him to fit into the desires of our own hearts.

AHAB AND JEHOSHAPHAT COOPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER: There is a huge contrast between the Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah and Ahab, the king of Israel.  Jehoshaphat has been greatly blessed by God because of his attention to the Word of God and his courage to obey the Lord.  Ahab has rejected God’s Word and has been constantly chastised by God, yet he refuses to turn from his wicked ways.  Despite this fact they make an alliance with one another through marriage and Jehoshaphat agrees to go with Ahab into war with the Syrians.  I have to think that this was a failure on the part of Jehoshaphat as I cannot imagine the Lord blessing any type of alliance with this wicked king.  However, this does seem to be part of the Lord’s plan as He is able to use the sins of men to accomplish His will.

AHAB AND THE PROPHETS MANIPULATE THE TRUTH: Jehoshaphat’s first concern with the plan to go to war is if the Lord will bless this effort.  Ahab brings 400 prophets that all bless the plan to go into battle; however, Jehoshaphat clearly seas that these are not prophets of the Lord and asks to inquire from a prophet of God.  Micaiah is called upon but warned to agree with what the other prophets say.  When Micaiah reveals the truth that God is planning to kill Ahab as a result of this war he is put into prison.  Too often we go to the Word of God or seek counsel from others simply for the purpose of getting confirmation for what we have already determined what we want to do.  We manipulate the Scriptures and we become angry and anyone who might disagree with what we have decided we already want to do.  We must learn to seek the Word of God or counsel from the servants of God with open and obedient hearts that are pliable to what He teaches us.


GOD AND THE SYRIANS ASSASSINATE AHAB: Despite Michaiah’s warning Ahab insists on going into battle and ends up convincing Jehoshaphat to wear his kingly robes while he disguises himself.  I honestly do not know what Jehoshaphat was thinking but he appears to be confident that his life is in the hands of the Lord.  God is clearly in control of this battle and seems to have the army of Syria firmly under His control as they Syrians make the death of Ahab their only goal.  The army does not go after Jehoshaphat and they cannot find Ahab due to his disguise but a random arrow just happens to find a seem in Ahab’s armor and he is killed just as God had promised he would be.  It is God’s prerogative to establish kingdoms as well as tear them down.  We can certainly rest assured of His sovereign control over the events of this world.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

Hebrews 10:32-39

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.     For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.     Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.     For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.     For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”     But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Endurance...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more