Lesson 30: Jehoshaphat of Judah - Part 2

Lesson 30: Jehoshaphat of Judah - Part 2

I. Background information

A. His name Jehoshaphat - God has Judged

B. His time

He reigned from about 873–848

He was 35 years old at the beginning of his reign and he reign for 25 years.

C. His family

1. His mother’s name was Azubah - desertion/forsaken

2. His father was Asa - a godly heritage

3. His maternal grandfather was Shilhi - missive/armed

II. HIS CONCERN FOR THE SPIRITUAL

A. The institution of religious education for all the people

2 Chronicles 17:7-9

B. The importance of his own spiritual foundations

2 Chronicles 17:3 KJV He walked in the first ways of David and the Lord was with him. He did not walk in th ways of the world. Instead, he sought the ways of God

C. Putting God first brings God’s blessings

2 Chro 17:5-6 .‌

D. Jehoshaphat’s response

1. His heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord

‌2. Took away the high places - false worship

III. THE LEADERSHIP OF JEHOSHAPHAT

‌A. Built up military defenses

2 Chronicles 17:1-2

B. Appointed leaders

1. Over the civil affairs - Zebadiah

2. Over the religious affairs - Amariah

3. Over the fenced cities of Judah - Judges

Today we are moving on and looking at a few more important instances in the life of Jehoshaphat.

IV. GOD’S GREAT VICTORY OVER A MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE

2 Chronicles 20:1-30.

When Jerusalem was threatened by a massive Moabite, Ammonite, with others invasion, God performs miraculously on their behalf.

I don’t want to focus on how exactly they were defeated but focus on what God did for them and how they got ahold of God.

A. He seeks the Lord favor vv.3-5

Matthew 6:33 KJV

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

2 Chronicles 20:1 (KJV)

It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

Now notice what Jehoshaphat does:

2 Chronicles 20:3 (KJV)

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

Now I know this outline might be extensive, but there are some great things that we need to continue to institute in our lives as well.

1. He feared

2. He set himself

3. He proclaimed a fast

4. He leads others closer to God

B. He calls upon God

2 Chron 20:6-12.

1. Recognizes God’s greatness vv.6-7

2. Reiterates God’s promises vv.8-9

3. Reveals their need vv.10-12

C. All Judah stands in agreement v.13

D. God’s Word is sent down to encourage them vv.14-17

It says the Spirit of God came upon Jehaziel - and notice what it says through him:

1. Be not afraid nor be dismayed

Our continued dismay and discouragement when dwelt upon becomes sin - quit it. Trust in God.

I told you one of my new memory verses is:

2 Corinthians 4:8 KJV

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

2. The battle belongs to God

How do we allow God to take over the battle, we see it simply stated in v.

a. Set yourselves

1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

1 Thessalonians 3:8 (KJV)

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

b. Stand still

Psalm 89:28 (KJV)

My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

c. See God work

Isaiah 40:31 KJV

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

3. The Lord will be with you

V. THE NEED TO GUARD OURSELVES IN PROSPERITY

2 Chronicles 18:1 KJV

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

A. Jehoshaphat compromised his family

We know this in the marriage of his son that would follow him.

2 Chronicles 21:6 KJV

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.

B. Jehoshaphat compromised the kingdom

He is persuaded by Ahab

This actually happened last time we studied the kings in our study on king of Ahab of Israel.

It is found in 1 Kings 22:1-40 and 2 Chronicles 18:

The key verse is found in:

2 Chronicles 18:2 KJV

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.

Of course this was the story of the lying prophets which ended up with the death of Ahab.

But what shows us as to how bad this was is found in

2 Chronicles 19:2 KJV

And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

VI. DEALING WITH PROSPERITY

In this passage, Jehoshaphat’s compromises were the result of his own hear being lifted up, we need to guard ourselves in like manner.

A. How prosperity is a danger

1. It blinds us

We don’t see things as we are supposed to we definitely don’t see ourselves as we are supposed to.

2. It causes us not to trust in God

Instead we look to ourselves and our abilities instead of trusting God.

1 Timothy 6:10 KJV

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

3. It leads to a desire for more

Appetites fed are growing appetites - but appetites starved are shrinking appetites.

Prosperity breeds a desire to get more and more.

1 Timothy 6:9 KJV

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

4. It tends to cause us to be proud

5. It can take someone with great potential and be their downfall

One of the great downfalls of many of a preacher has been money.

The two former “missionary” pastors of the church I pastored in Japan, one took an $80,000 gift when he left the field while the other made the church pay for his moving expenses and set up his new household after he left at a sum of about $35,000 for two people.

I knew a preacher in the area here who took a hight salary even which took the church towards bankruptcy and then the church ultimately went bankrupt.

B. How to guard ourselves

1. Be Content

Hebrews 13:5 KJV

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Timothy 6:6–7 KJV

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1 Timothy 6:8 KJV

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

2. Be Humble

Proverbs 22:4 KJV

By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Psalm 34:2 KJV

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3. Remember the words and wisdom of Agur

Proverbs 30:8–9 KJV

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

4. Reject all forms of pride

Proverbs 16:5 KJV

Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Rather than be proud of something - how about we practice this instead - love that something if it is something worth loving.

5. Flee worldly lusts

Look at 1 Joh 2:15-17

1 John 2:15–17 (KJV)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.