Jehoshaphat

Introduction

I began to name this the ‘Bible Person Study’, but chose to go with the ‘Bible Character Study’. I hesitated to name it that, as I don’t want to diminish the fact that these are real people we’ll be examining. But the reason that it’s named the Bible Character Study is because we’ll be focusing on the person’s character throughout. But don’t forget that these were real people, with real lives that made real choices that had real consequences.

I. Jehoshaphat’s Nature

((What is their History / Background?)

The 4th King of Judah

The Son of Asa

As we look back, the United Kingdom has:

Saul

David

Solomon

Then the Split, next being:

Rehoboam

Abijah

Then his father Asa.

Began Reign at 35 years old, Reigned for 25 years

Not a short reign, but not a long one either.

Remember, his father reigned for 41 years.

This would put Jehoshaphat’s death at only 60 years old.

I used to think 60 was old, but not anymore…

During the Israeli Reigns of:

Ahab (16 years)

Ahab & Jezebel which we studied on a few weeks ago.

Ahaziah (2 years)

Jehoram (5 years)

II. Jehoshaphat’s Notoriety

(What they are known for?)

Increased Religious Reforms

As we read in our text, we see that Jehoshaphat was a Godly man. NOT A PERFECT MAN, but a Godly man, and a Godly king.

Asa, his father was a Godly man - he might have faded down the stretch, but he began moving the Kingdom of Judah in the right direction morally & Spiritually. Jehoshaphat continued that trend.

Cleansing the Land of Idolatry (2Chr. 17:6)

Now if you look at the beginning of his reign is says: 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.”

But by the end of his reign we see: 2 Chronicles 20:33 “Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.”

This mirrors the only thing said in 1 Kings 22:43 “And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.”

What this shows us is twofold:

It demonstrates Jehoshaphat’s efforts and desire to cleanse the land God gave him charge over.

It demonstrates that the leader’s efforts may change outward behaviour, but cannot change the inner man of others.

It’s apparent that Jehoshaphat did all he could to cleanse the land from idolatry.

Casting out the Sodomites (1Ki. 22:46)

This is something that he saw his daddy do, (1Ki. 15:12) and did the same.

Jehoshaphat as well as Asa - being Godly men - understood that Sodomy was not something to be tolerated much less encouraged if they expected God to bless their land… They did not adopt a ‘live and let live’ mentality when it came to this wickedness. They cast them out!

Church, know this: Sodomy is not a victimless crime. It’s a perversion that effects our entire society. It is a self-perpetuating sickness.

(From Google) The percentage of US adults identifying as LGBTQ+ has significantly increased over the past decade. In 2012, 3.5% of adults identified as LGBTQ+, and by 2024, this figure rose to 9.3%. This increase is largely attributed to younger generations, particularly Generation Z, having higher rates of LGBTQ+ identification.

Here's a more detailed look:

2012: 3.5% of US adults identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

2017: 4.5%.

2020: 5.6%.

2021: 7.1%.

2023: 7.6%.

2024: 9.3%.

Generational Trends:

Generation Z (1997-2006): Over 20% identify as LGBTQ+.

Millennials (1980-1996): Approximately 10-11%.

Generation X (1965-1980): Less than 5%.

Baby Boomers (1946-1964): Around 2%.

Silent Generation (born before 1946): Less than 1%.

I believe sodomy should be illegal - as well as adultery in our country - AS IT ONCE WAS WHEN WE WERE BETTER THAN WE ARE NOW.

We’ve not become ‘more enlightened’, we’ve become more ungodly.

Calling a Fast that Brought Victory & Revival (2Chr. 20)

One of the great stories of Jehoshaphat is in 2Chr. 20 when the ‘great multitude’ of the Moabites, Ammonites came to war against him: (Read it)

‘Doing Right’ in the Eyes of the LORD (1Ki. 22:43a)

I wonder how many can say that? Especially, how many who have within their power to do what they please?

Bringing Peace between Judah & Israel (1Ki. 22:44)

The Bible tells us that Baasha and Asa warred against each other continually - but Jehoshaphat desired peace between their kingdoms.

Yoking Up with the Heathen (2Chr. 18; 20:35-37)

But Jehoshaphat took it even further - he went to war with Israel under Ahab, and built a navy under A-hu-ZI’-ah.

Being Faithful unto God, and Enjoying God’s Blessings

Going beyond the military victory, we see prior to this, other nations: 2 Chronicles 17:10–12 “And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.”

The Bible tells us: Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

III. What Makes him Noteworthy

(What Lessons we can Learn from them?)

Living Peaceably and ‘Yoking Up’ are Two Different Things

Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

We should strive to live peaceably. But there’s a difference between living peaceably and:

Living Approvingly

I spoke about my beliefs concerning Sodomy a moment ago. Just because I believe the practice detestable and should be outlawed - I do not approve of that behaviour and I believe it a harm to our society. However, that doesn’t mean that I must be mean to them.

Though they shake their fist at God, doesn’t mean I must shake my fist at them.

Though I stand for what I believe, doesn’t mean I must walk over them to do so.

Men can disagree without being disagreeable. This is something that a segment of our society hasn’t learned.

Living Peaceably and Yoking Up are two different things

Ignore God’s Word at your Own Peril (2Chr. 18)

God TOLD Jehoshaphat through his prophet that destruction awaited them - yet, he ignored it anyway.

God’s Word is:

True

Powerful

Forever Settled

It will come to pass, and you can ignore it if you want - but you do so at your own peril. You will be the one paying the consequences for it.

Ignore God’s Word at your Own Peril

When you Hang with the Wicked, you’ll be Seen as One (2Chr. 18:31)

Notice something here: Ahab and Jehoshaphat are on the polar opposite ends of the Spiritual spectrum. But…

When they got together, they acted the same: (2Chr. 18:9)

And the heathen mistook Jehoshaphat for Ahab (2Chr. 18:31)

We must be careful of the company we keep. When we yoke up to one such as Ahab, it will certainly effect the light within us from shining and distinguishing us as one of Christs.

When you Hang with the Wicked, you’ll be Seen as One

Prayer, Fasting & Faith Make a Difference (2Chr. 20)

We see all these elements in this great victory that God supplied in 2Chr. 20:

Fasting (v3)

Remember what Jesus said: Matthew 17:21 “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

Their hearts, minds & flesh were prepared to seek the face of the LORD

Prayer (v6-12)

Jeremiah 29:12 “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.”

Faith (v17-20)

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Basic elements of the Christian life - they make a difference.

We don’t need something new, we just need to major on the basics.

Jeremiah 6:16 “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

Prayer, Fasting & Faith make the Difference

God is Able to Fight your Battles and Bring you Victory (2Chr. 20)

Church, God is Able.

You can Sing when you have the Promises of God Despite your Circumstances (2Chr. 20:21-22)

It’s interesting that the victory was brought about by a song.

Two things:

But not only a song - but look at the subject ‘praise the beauty of holiness’. What a novel concept!

Holy (def) Sacred, Consecrated, Sanctified, Dedicated; Hallowed

The popular ‘Christian’ music of the day is anything buy holy. It’s not Sacred, set-apart or Hallowed… it’s feel good, flesh edifying worldly sounding nonsense.

Secondly, how hard is it to sing when you’re in times of trials? Typically our minds are fraught with angst & concern - but they sang praises to the beauty of Holiness.

Church let me just say this: God is GREATER than our circumstances. I don’t know what your circumstances are, but God is greater than them all!

You can sing…

Ecumenical Movements are Neither Blessed nor Expected of God (2Chr. 18-19:2; 20:35-37)

God does not expect you and I to sit & lock arms with the heathen for the ‘Greater good’.

Ramoth-gilead was land rightfully belonging to the COI. That was seen as ‘the greater good for God’s people’. But God didn’t bless that effort, neither did God expect that of Jehoshaphat!

What was it Paul said about those who preached a different / perverted Gospel? Galatians 1:6–9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

God does not expect this church to lock arms with other churches who are preaching / teaching false / perverted Gospels.

Church, I believe that my status in this community would be bolstered if I were willing to do so. Just lock arms, buddy up with everyone and not worry about things such as doctrine… But it’s not about ME it’s about THE TRUTH!

And we find many instances in Scripture that demonstrate this truth

Ecumenical movements are neither blessed nor expected of God

God blesses the Penitent Heart (2Chr. 19:4-20)

After the first blight on Jehoshaphat’s record we see something interesting. He didn’t rebel against God for this rebuke, but rather repented.

And God blessed him for it.

Conclusion