Exeter Temple Message notes: Sunday 28th
June 2015
Bible Reading: 2
Chronicles 17
After the reign of King Solomon the nation of Israel was divided into
two kingdoms, Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Jehoshaphat was one
of the few good kings.
1. A man of good character 2
Chronicles 17:3-
a) He was a man like David v 3
Why wasn’t Jehoshaphat compared to his father King Asa?
Asa had done
what was right in the eyes of the Lord at the beginning of his reign but later
he relied on political alliances rather than upon God. He became narrow-minded, legalistic, wouldn’t
listen to advice and imposed his will on everyone around him.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if Jehoshaphat had rebelled against his
father’s religion. Despite this Jehoshaphat did seek the God of his
Father. It was sad however that he had
to go back 6 generations, for a good example of a “man after God’s own heart”
This story brings a challenge about the legacy we leave for the next
generation. How far do they have to look
for an example of living and passionate faith?
Question: What kind of example does the next generation
need from us?
What is the difference between having
firm views and being narrow-minded?
2 b) He was
committed v 6
g The greatest testament to Jehoshaphat’s reign was the seven times the
Bible records that he “sought” God and not Baal. 2 Chronicles 19:3 in the NIV says that the Lord
said that he showed him mercy “because you have set your heart on seeking
God.”
b
c) He was authentic v 3
Jehoshaphat walked in the ways that his father David had followed.
Whenever the Bible refers to the word walked, it is talking about lifestyle. A
genuine seeking after God shows itself in changed behaviour.
2. A man of determined
action. 2 Chronicles 17:6b -9
2 Chronicles 17:3 “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat.” With God working with him, he embarked on a
wide-ranging programme of reform. He
moved the altars dedicated to the gods. These centres of pagan worship,
connected to money, sex and power as well as a betrayal of God opened up the
way for exploitation, corruption and degradation.
We might not have that many Asherah poles on our streets but the worship
of money, sex and power is not hard to find and it needs to be dismantled.
However it is important not to create a vacuum in spiritual matters as
Jesus reminds us in the parable of the empty house. Jehoshaphat did not only remove false worship
he set up a programme to teach the word of God.
It was when the people heard the word of the Lord, “that the fear of the
Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did
not make war with Jehoshaphat.”(2 Chronicles 17:10)
We cannot engineer it so that the “fear of the Lord falls upon people
and nations,”
What was happening was a
revival. Longing for the fear of the Lord to fall upon people is not about
being vindictive but we should care that God’s name is given the respect and
honour it deserves. When God’s people seek God, take down their idols and feed
upon the word of God that then the conditions are right for revival.
Questions: What is the fear of the Lord? Why is it a good thing for it to fall upon the people?
How
would you describe revival?
3. A man who made some foolish decision 2 Chronicles 18:1-3, v 28-34
Jehoshaphat entered into an alliance with the evil King Ahab of Israel. He gave his son in marriage to the
daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel and he went to war with Ahab against Syria.
How did Jehoshaphat who had led a revival, and seen his kingdom become
more and more powerful end up getting mixed up with the likes of Ahab?
Jehoshaphat probably thought he was able to handle Ahab but he ended up
nearly getting killed. He probably
genuinely thought it was time for there to be peace between God’s covenant
people in the north and the south was sorted out.
This was a high ideal but the desire was one sided and his decision
lacked wisdom. One commentator says of him, “He was too ready to please, too
quick to reply and too related to refuse. Ahab convinced the trusting, naive
and compliant Jehoshaphat to wear his robes while he himself battled in
disguise (18:29), in effect making Jehoshaphat the target instead of
Ahab.”
In the Bible, it is after a victory or a period of success that God’s
people are often at their most vulnerable. Paul says “My strength is made
perfect in weakness.”
-
Elijah went from Mount Carmel to the desert.
-
David went from being crowned king into
an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba.
-
Peter from a declaration that Jesus was
the Messiah to completely misunderstanding him.
-
Jesus was led from his baptism into the
wilderness.
As much as it has been good to pray before the Boundless Congress it is
just as necessary to pray afterwards, when many people after experiencing a
spiritual high will be vulnerable to the work of the enemy.
Jehoshaphat, who ran such a faithful race, was tripped up near the end
of his life by a foolish entanglement.
Question: What does Paul mean by the phrase “My
strength is made perfect in weakness?
4. A man who learned his lesson
Shaken out of his complacency Jehoshaphat came back home having been
chastened by the Lord. He went on to give his all to a further reformation work
for God. He exhorted the people to serve faithfully in the fear of the
LORD. This story is a wake-up call
to take care.
“Christians need soft hearts and hard feet but they often have hard
hearts and soft feet.” (Jackie Pullinger)
Jehoshaphat was a good sort. His
heart was in the right place but he let his feet stray where they
shouldn’t.
Take care of your heart and take care of your walk. It matters for you,
it matters for those who look to you as an example and it matters to God.
God bless
Alan
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