We will now, look at life of Jehoshphat, the son of Asa. Like his father, King Jehoshphat took pride in worship. As stated in 2 Chronicles 17:6: “And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.” Anything that was not of God, he got rid of it. Anything that brought honor to the Lord he supported it. For example: on should take pride, in spreading the word! One should take pride in cleaning the church, making sure the house of God is always is always prepared for worship. When you walk in the church and you step over the smallest piece of garbage on the floor, it tells a lot about your spirit. When you visit your church late every Sunday, it tells a lot about your spirit. When you get and give these wonderful testimonies, yet your actions prove otherwise, it certainly proves who you are; because one should understand the importance of going to the altar to give a testimony. When your mind, is opposition to the word of God, take pride in your church in all aspects. If there’s a need in the church and you can address that need, you should address it.
Some people are ashamed to worship God. They will not say “Hallelujah” before strangers. They will not say “Amen”, in public. They are comfortable in acknowledging God in their comfort zone or in secret. The spirit of pride, rod them of heaven and most importantly hey will not admit, that they are ashamed of God; so they deceive themselves unto death.
Let us review 2 Chronicles 17v 7: Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Machaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. Meaning he blessed God, by spreading the word. When you read 2 Chronicles 17:9-12, you’ll realize that when he spreads the word of God, he prospered and ruled with honor. The same goes for us, when God does great things for you, when he makes the impossible possible for you, don’t be selfish, tell someone. Find a place and share. There are many places, such as hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, and other places where people are grieving, just waiting to hear or see a person that experienced a miracle. This could be the reason why some are struggling after God has done miracle for them. Wake Up! Tell somebody; find a way, to let someone know what God has done for you.
You will also notice, Jehoshphat did not ask for honor and prosperity. They came automatically, when he spread the word.
Jehoshphat first mistake: He started out, with a great zeal for God. But when he became rich and famous, his spiritual discipline begins to decrease. We do the same thing. When we need help, we pray, praise, worship, cry out to God, come on time to church, we do everything that a child of God should do. However, once God answers we cut down on our praise and worship and sometimes lose interest in going to church.
By studying Jehoshphat’s life you will see that, he refuse to stand on Psalm 1. Even though, God warned him to stay away from the ungodly, he still ignored the warning and aligned himself with King Ahab, one of Israel wickedest King. He also, aligned himself in marriage. We do the same thing. While God is blessing us, we sometimes find holy people boring. Because Jehoshphat, continued in his disobedience he was not able to detect the evil motives of others. He was too busy, desiring the excitement of the world. Ahab, who he thought was his friend, was not loyal concerning motives. He was nice to Jehoshphat, because he wanted a favor and Jehoshphat was gullible.
In Chapter 18 verses 2-5: And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.
2 Chronicles Ch. 18 v 3-5 “3And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war. 4And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day. 5Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.” What this is showing is that Ahab, gave him and his soldiers a party, just to nice him up, play on his ego; then asked Jehoshphat to join him in war. He took Jehoshphat off guard, because Jehoshphat took himself away from God’s guidance. The same can happen to us. When we get out of alignment with the word of God, evil forces are waiting just for the right moment to take us down.
We must develop spiritual eyes, to see when people are just being nice because they want to use you or they desire a favor. Ahab did not consider Jehoshphat a friend; but strangely enough Jehoshphat had a strong admiration for Ahab. When Ahab asked Jehoshphat to join in war, he told Ahab he needs to hear from the Lord first. In those days, God got his message across through prophets. As you read further on, you will see that even when Jehoshphat, heard the prophet saying, Israel should not go to war. Jehoshphat did not listen but agreed with Ahab and went to war. The question remains, “how can a man that was once so ground in the word, such a warrior for God one that God has blessed, one that has experienced such great miracles is suddenly enchanted and influenced by a man who is so evil? Well, when you slow down on your praise, worship, thanksgiving and prayer these things can happen. When you avoid the rule of Psalm 1 and tell yourself that you will be okay, these things can happen. When you don’t examine your thoughts moment by moment and stand on Philippians 4v 8, you’re setting yourself up for a down fall.
We must be careful and heed God’s warning. Obedience is the key. Don’t pay attention to sweet talkers, even though they may seem wise. And always remember in most cases when a person talks too much, they usually have a problem, as stated in the book of Proverbs. I encourage you to read 2 Chronicles 18:5-28, it gives you the competition between Miciah and the other prophet.
2 Chronicles 18:5-28
5Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.
6But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?
7And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
8And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.
9And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
10And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.
11And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
12And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of their's, and speak thou good.
13And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.
14And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
15And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?
16Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
17And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
18Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
19And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
20Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?
21And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
22Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
23Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
24And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
25Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
26And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
27And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
28So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead
Micah was stuck when he gave the right prophecy, why? The reason for this, in general most people cannot handle the truth. We may ask to be told the truth, but when it is done we get upset.
Look at the big set up and the disloyalty of Ahab! King Ahab went into battle with disguise but ask Jehoshphat not to wear a disguise. It so happen that when Jehoshphat was attacked, he cried out to the Lord and the Lord saved him. Do you think he learned? To stay away from the ungodly, wait and see.
Suggestion: we must also move with wisdom, so that we can spot the phonies. When you stay close to God and depend on him, always remember he will show you the misfits and the deceivers.
Facts: after Jehoshphat returned from the battle he was grateful that God saved him. He appointed people to spread the word, teaching them the importance of obedience.
What did Jehoshphat learn?
1. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
2. It’s not by might and not by power; it’s by the spirit of the Lord.
2 Chronicles Ch 19:9-10 shows that Jehoshphat learned from his mistake.
2 Chronicles Ch. 20v 13 shows that years after not just one King but several Kings decided to gang up on Jehoshphat. By the time he was informed about them they were on their way, not giving him enough time to prepare for battle and clearly he was out numbered.
Important: Jehoshphat and the people proclaimed a fast and had a special conversation with God.
2 Chronicles Ch. 20v 5-12 shows the special conversation with God.
5And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
6And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
7Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
8And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
9If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
10And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
11Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
12O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
From reading this conversation you will see:
1. Faith
2. Perfect surrender
3. Believing God can do what he say he will do
4. Remind God of his promises to Solomon
“If the people stretch forth their hand and pray toward the Temple he will hear.”
Suggestion: use creative wording and have a real conversation with God. (Fasting can get you a special appointment). God represents supernatural power in all things. He is King!
For goodness sake! Treat him like a King!
How do you approach God?
1. Respect
2. Humility
3. Loyalty
4. Gratitude
5. Service
6. And love is part of the equation
Important: the promise of kneeling is to remind you that God is the king of the universe and you are his subjects.
Jehoshphat’s answer from God, after fasting is located in 2 Chronicles 20:14-18.
When Jehoshphat received an answer from God through the prophet, he honored the Lord. Victory did not come yet, all he had was the word.
In life, when you receive a word from God your countenance should change from sadness to happiness and from despair to hope. You should praise him more because his word is true.
2 Chronicles 20:20 “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” This verse shows that as they were going into battle Jehoshphat warned the Priest and the people to have faith.
2 Chronicles Ch. 20:21 “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.” This verse proves that the people sang praise; while going into battle, the recited Psalm 136.
Psalm 136
1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Suggestion:
1. You can also use this Psalm (136) when going through your battles.
2. Sacrificial praise will cause something supernatural to happen
3. On the battle field they were praising. You should do the same, while going through adversities….PRAISE!!
4. Don’t cry, don’t get angry, and don’t get on the phone calling ungodly friends. Get before the King and PRAISE!!
When you see no way out…PRAISE!!! 2 Chronicles 20:22-25 shows the power of praise!
2 Chronicles 20:28-29 shows that right after the people received their victory, they did not go home. They went to the temple to praise and worship. That was their celebration (thanksgiving).
Real life circumstances: when God does something of importance you should head straight to the church shortly after you receive your victory and praise him.
For example: a man came to the church altar after his son‘s count case (victory).
We must be careful how we treat God after we receive our victory. (The one that has the power to prosper over you will have the power to destroy you (god of justice).
Jehoshphat second mistake: After 35 years his second mistake was similar to his first mistake. He did not stand on Psalm 1. 2 Chronicles 20:35-36 “ 35And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly: 36And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.”
Facts: He went into business with the King of Israel to build ships, knowing that the King of Israel had no respect for God. (Ships were destroyed (trading)
Bare facts:
As a child of God, if you do business with someone who does not respect God, you will have problems. They will eventually become contradicting. They will begin to oppose your suggestion and the devil will make sure of that.
What can we learn from Jehoshphat?
1. Disobedience carries a price
2. When you get a word, have hope
3. Fasting will get you a special appointment
4. Stand on Psalm 1
5. Power of praise
6. Praise while you are in problems
7. Sacrificial praise works
8. Be in constant communication with God, so you can spot the enemy at all time
GOD BLESS YOU!!!
