221002 2 Chronicles 18-19: Unequally Yoked

MP: Come Out and Be Separate

Introduction

The Christian walks a balancing act… we are in the world but not of it. Once we were transferred out of the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son our citizenship switched. Col 1:13 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,”

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT

2 Cor 6:14-7:1 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has a sanctuary of God with idols? For we are a sanctuary of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean, And I will welcome you. 18 And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty. 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT

Clear statement in the body of the text - v17

because we are to be distinct therefore be separate because:

God dwells amongst us

He is our God

We are His people

Refuse to contaminate ourselves so that we will be welcomed into the family of God

Ultimate application point is cleanse ourselves from all defilement

The Christian is not of this world

The Christian serves Christ - not the ruler of this domain of darkness

The Christian is not to associate with a so-called believer that practices lawlessness

The Christian does not enter into agreements, contracts, associations with unbelievers but does associate with them - they can eat with and evangelize.

The Christian does not enter into agreements, contracts, covenants or promises with so-called brothers if they are living in unrepentant sin.

Application Points built off of 2 Cor 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

I. Incited by Ahab / An Unfortunate Alliance (v1-3)

1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab. 2 And some years later he went down to Ahab at Samaria. And Ahab sacrificed sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people who were with him, and incited him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. 3 And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead?” And he said to him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people, and we will be with you in the battle.”

Principle: Satan and his domain are not neutral - they are actively working against the people of God and working to seduce us away from Him

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT - (come out and be separate)

This is a negative example of a king that did not separate himself but was unequally yoked.

He was welcomed, incited

He had allowed his son to marry Athaliah - Ahab’s daughter

II. Inquired of by Jehoshaphat / Seeking the Word of the Lord (v4-7)

4 Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of Yahweh.” 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.” 6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of Yahweh here that we may inquire of him?” 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh, but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil. He is Micaiah, son of Imla.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.”

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT - (come out and be separate)

Jehoshaphat inquires after the word of the Lord - desires something that Ahab does not

Jehoshaphat repeats his request for a prophet of the Lord - shows some determination to seek after the word of the Lord

Ahab tries to use the pressure of inconvenience/impoliteness to dissuade Jehoshaphat from inquiring after the word of the Lord

III. Impostors with a false Assurance / A False Prophecy / False Assurance (v8-11)

8 Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Hasten to bring Micaiah son of Imla.” 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, clothed in their royal garments, and they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are consumed.’” 11 All the prophets were also prophesying thus, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, and Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king.”

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT - (come out and be separate)

Negative example of the two kings sitting together - unified (v9)

v10 Also provides an example of the malice of the deceivers (2 Tim 3:13 “But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” )

IV. An Invitation to Falsehood / A True Prophecy / Bad News But True (v12-17)

12 Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold, the words of the prophets, as if from one mouth, are good to the king. So please let your word be like one of them and speak that which is good.” 13 But Micaiah said, “As Yahweh lives, what my God says, that I shall speak.” 14 Then he came to the king, and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And he said, “Go up and succeed, and they will be given into your hand.” 15 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?” 16 So he said, “I saw all Israel Scattered on the mountains, Like sheep which have no shepherd; And Yahweh said, ‘These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace.’” 17 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not say to you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT - (come out and be separate)

Micaiah is one who is unafraid to be separate and distinct

Unafraid to be apart from uncleanness

Why? Because he had received the word of the Lord

Principle - those that have received the Word of the Lord believe it - imprecise (needs additional explanation)

Irresistible Grace

V. Induced to believe a lie / The Divine Vision (v18-22)

18 Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of Yahweh. I saw Yahweh sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left. 19 And Yahweh said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel so that he will go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before Yahweh and said, ‘I will entice him.’ And Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’ 21 And he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You shall entice him and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ 22 So now, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets, but Yahweh has spoken calamity against you.”

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT - (come out and be separate)

Those that are doomed will be judged - Col 3:5 “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” Col 3:6 “For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,”

1 John 4:1–6 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

Principle - Testing the spirits

Does the spirit confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the son of God?That He has incarnated, taken on human form, come in the flesh is the Spirit of God.

Those that are of God listens to Him

Satan is a liar and the father of lies

God ultimately responsible viz a viz His divine will but also accomplishes His will through those that have different motivations - His motivation is ultimate glorification to Himself while those that are against Him do it out of hatred for Him

VI. Insolence of the false prophets / Hear the Word of the Lord (v23-27)

23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah approached and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of Yahweh pass from me to speak to you?” 24 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you will see on that day when you enter an inner room to hide.” 25 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son; 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this man in prison and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely.”’” 27 And Micaiah said, “If you indeed return safely, Yahweh has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Listen, all you people.”

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT - (come out and be separate)

Zedekiah revealed to be a deceiver - angry? Exposed

Motivation is power, pride of Zedekiah

Micaiah has the last word

Luke 12:4–5 ““I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!”

VII. Israel’s king defeated / Defeat and Salvation (v28-34)

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you put on your garments.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Aram had commanded the commanders of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with small or great, but with the king of Israel alone.” 31 Now it happened that when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel,” and they turned to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him, and God incited them away from him. 32 So it happened that when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 33 Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of the chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight, for I am severely wounded.” 34 Now the battle raged that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot in front of the Arameans until the evening; and at sunset he died.

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT - (come out and be separate)

Yahweh is our only life and support - It is He who makes a distinction between those who are the people of God and those who are not (Exodus 11:7 “‘But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’” )

Emphasize that the motivation of the bad actors is ultimately malicious - Ahab wanted to be disguised - possibly so that Jehoshaphat would be killed (1 Kings 16:32-33 “So he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria. Ahab also made the Asherah. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.”

John 15:18–19 ““If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”

VIII. Initiative Good, Judgement Bad / A summary / Good Initiative - Bad Judgement (v19:1-4)

19:1 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in peace to his house in Jerusalem. 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him to his face and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate Yahweh and so bring wrath on yourself from Yahweh? 3 But some good has been found in you, for you have purged the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.” 4 So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. Indeed, he returned and went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and caused them to return back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT - (come out and be separate)

Jehoshaphat was confronted with his failure to be separate

He was confronted by his willingness to help the wicked

He was confronted by his desire to love those who hate Yahweh

For this he was culpable and narrowly escaped the wrath of God

Application points:

Financial: Dont co-sign loans with unbelievers, dont enter into contracts with them, make promises to or with them or accept their promises

Proverbs 27:12–13 “A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, The naive proceed and pay the penalty. Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for an adulterous woman hold him in pledge.”

Marital: Dont marry an unbeliever

Unbelievable heartache is in store for those that do....

If you are currently married to an unbeliever I commend

1 Corinthians 7:12–16 “But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?”

Religious

Avoid Ecumenism - organized unity of divergent religions - which waters down the faith of the Christ and leaches away (Late Latin oecumenicus "general, universal," from Greek oikoumenikos "from the whole world,")

Matthew 5:44 ““But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

2 Cor 6:17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean, And I will welcome you. 18 And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty. 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Come out

Be separate

Do not touch what is unclean

Blessings associated with that (Welcomed by God, Adopted by God)

Cleanse ourselves from defilement of flesh and spirit

Perfecting our holiness

Completing our fear of the Lord

Conclusion

6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, also was sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the greedy and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is a sexually immoral person, or greedy, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler⁠—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Are you not to judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God will judge. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

HOW DOES THIS SUPPORT MY MAIN POINT - (come out and be separate)

While we are not to be unequally yoked with the world the distinction is more severe against those that call themselves followers of Christ but through their fruit prove that they are not.

Romans 12:1–2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

John 17:13–21 ““But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”