Jehoshaphat
Until called to the throne at the age of thirty-five, Jehoshaphat had
before
him the example of good King Asa, who in nearly every crisis had done
"that
which was right in the eyes of the Lord." 1 Kings 15:11. During a
prosperous
reign of twenty-five years, Jehoshaphat sought to walk "in all the ways of
Asa his father; he turned not aside."
In his efforts to rule wisely, Jehoshaphat endeavored to persuade his
subjects to take a firm stand against idolatrous practices. Many of the
people in his realm "offered and burnt incense yet in the high places." 1
Kings 22:43. The king did not at once destroy these shrines; but from the
beginning he tried to safeguard Judah from the sins characterizing the
northern kingdom under the rule of Ahab, of whom he was a contem****ary for
many years. Jehoshaphat himself was loyal to God. He "sought not unto
Baalim;
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but sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in His commandments,
and not after the doings of Israel." Because of his integrity, the Lord
was
with him, and "stablished the kingdom in his hand." 2 Chronicles 17:3-5.
"All Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honor in
abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord." As time
passed and reformations were wrought, the king "took away the high places
and groves out of Judah." Verses 5, 6. "And the remnant of the Sodomites,
which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land." 1
Kings 22:46. Thus gradually the inhabitants of Judah were freed from many
of
the perils that had been threatening to retard seriously their spiritual
development.
Throughout the kingdom the people were in need of instruction in the law
of
God. In an understanding of this law lay their safety; by conforming their
lives to its requirements they would become loyal both to God and to man.
Knowing this, Jehoshaphat took steps to ensure to his people thorough
instruction in the Holy Scriptures. The princes in charge of the different
****tions of his realm were directed to arrange for the faithful ministry
of
teaching priests. By royal appointment these instructors, working under
the
direct supervision of the princes, "went about throughout all the cities
of
Judah, and taught the people." 2 Chronicles 17:7-9. And as many endeavored
to understand God's requirements and to put away sin, a revival was
effected.
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To this wise provision for the spiritual needs of his subjects,
Jehoshaphat
owed much of his prosperity as a ruler. In obedience to God's law there is
great gain. In conformity to the divine requirements there is a
transforming
power that brings peace and good will among men. If the teachings of God's
word were made the controlling influence in the life of every man and
woman,
if mind and heart were brought under its restraining power, the evils that
now exist in national and in social life would find no place. From every
home would go forth an influence that would make men and women strong in
spiritual insight and in moral power, and thus nations and individuals
would
be placed on vantage ground.
For many years Jehoshaphat lived in peace, unmolested by surrounding
nations. "The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands
that
were round about Judah." Verse 10. From Philistia he received tribute
money
and presents; from Arabia, large flocks of sheep and goats. "Jehoshaphat
waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of
stores. . . . Men of war, mighty men of valor, . . . waited on the king,
beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah."
Verses 12-19. Blessed abundantly with "riches and honor," he was enabled
to
wield a mighty influence for truth and righteousness. 2 Chronicles 18:1
Some years after coming to the throne, Jehoshaphat, now in the height of
his
prosperity, consented to the marriage of his son, Jehoram, to Athaliah,
daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. By this union there was formed between the
kingdoms
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of Judah and Israel an alliance which was not in the order of God and
which
in a time of crisis brought disaster to the king and to many of his
subjects.
On one occasion Jehoshaphat visited the king of Israel at Samaria. Special
honor was shown the royal guest from Jerusalem, and before the close of
his
visit he was persuaded to unite with the king of Israel in war against the
Syrians. Ahab hoped that by joining his forces with those of Judah he
might
regain Ramoth, one of the old cities of refuge, which, he contended,
rightfully belonged to the Israelites.
Although Jehoshaphat in a moment of weakness had rashly promised to join
the
king of Israel in his war against the Syrians, yet his better judgment led
him to seek to learn the will of God concerning the undertaking. "Inquire,
I
pray thee, at the word of the Lord today," he suggested to Ahab. In
response, Ahab called together four hundred of the false prophets of
Samaria, and asked of them, "Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or
shall
I forbear?" And they answered, "Go up; for God will deliver it into the
kings's hand." Verses 4, 5.
Unsatisfied, Jehoshaphat sought to learn for a certainty the will of God.
"Is there not here a prophet of the Lord," he asked, "that we might
inquire
of him?" Verse 6. "There is yet one man, Micaiah to son of Imlah, by whom
we
may inquire of the Lord," Ahab answered; "but I hate him" for he doth not
prophesy good concerning me, but evil." 1 Kings 22:8. Jehoshaphat was firm
in his request that the man of God be called; and upon appearing before
them
and being adjured by Ahab to tell "nothing but that which
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is true in the name of the Lord," Micaiah said: "I saw all Israel
scattered
upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the Lord said,
These
have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace." Verses
16,
17.
The words of the prophet should have been enough to show the kings that
their project was not favored by Heaven, but neither ruler felt inclined
to
heed the warning. Ahab had marked out his course, and he was determined to
follow it. Jehoshaphat had given his word of honor, "We will be with thee
in
the war;" and after making such a promise, he was reluctant to withdraw
his
forces. 2 Chronicles 18:3. "So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king
of Judah went up to Ramothgilead." 1 Kings 22:29.
During the battle that followed, Ahab was shot by an arrow, and at
eventide
he died. "About the going down of the sun," "there went a proclamation
throughout the host," "Every man to his city, and every man to his own
country." Verse 36. Thus was fulfilled the word of the prophet.
From this disastrous battle Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem. As he
approached the city, the prophet Jehu met him with the reproof: "Shouldest
thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is
wrath
upon thee from before the Lord. Nevertheless there are good things found
in
thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast
prepared thine heart to seek God." 2 Chronicles 19"2, 3.
The later years of Jehoshaphat's reign were largely spent in strengthening
the national and spiritual defenses of Judah.
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He "went out again through the people from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim, and
brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers." Verse 4.
One of the im****tant steps taken by the king was the establishment and
maintenance of efficient courts of justice. He "set judges in the land
throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city;" and in the
charge
given them he urged: "Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but
for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear
of
the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with
the
Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts." Verses 5-7.
The judicial system was perfected by the founding of a court of appeal at
Jerusalem, where Jehoshaphat "set of the Levites, and of the priests, and
of
the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgement of the Lord, and for
controversies." Verse 8.
The king exhorted these judges to be faithful. "Thus shall ye do in the
fear
of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart," he charged them. "And
what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their
cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and
judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the
Lord,
and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall
not trespass.
"And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the
Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the
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ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites
shall be officers before you.
"Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good." Verses 9-11.
In his careful safeguarding of the rights and liberties of his subjects,
Jehoshaphat emphasized the consideration that every member of the human
family receives from the God of justice, who rules over all. "God standeth
in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods." And those
who
are appointed to act as judges under Him, are to "defend the poor and
fatherless;" they are to "do justice to the afflicted and needy," and "rid
them out of the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:1, 3, 4.
Toward the close of Jehoshaphat's reign the kingdom of Judah was invaded
by
an army before whose approach the inhabitants of the land had reason to
tremble. "The children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them
other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle." Tidings
of
this invasion reached the king through a messenger, who appeared with the
startling word, "There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond
the
sea on this side Syria: and, behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is
Engedi." 2 Chronicles 20:1, 2.
Jehoshaphat was a man of courage and valor. For years he had been
strengthening his armies and his fortified cities. He was well prepared to
meet almost any foe; yet in this crisis he put not his trust in the arm of
flesh. Not by disciplined armies and fenced cities, but by a living faith
in
the God of Israel, could he hope to gain the victory over these
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heathen who boasted of their power to humble Judah in the eyes of the
nations.
"Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a
fast
throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help
of
the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord."
Standing in the temple court before his people, Jehoshaphat poured out his
soul in prayer, pleading God's promises, with confession of Israel's
helplessness. "O Lord God of our fathers" he petitioned, "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? Art 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
forever? And they dwelt therein, and have built Thee a sanctuary therein
for
Thy name, saying, If, 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.
"And 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; behold, I say, how they
reward us, to come to cast us out of Thy possession, which Thou hast given
us to inherit. O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might
against this great
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company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes
are
upon Thee." Verses 3-21.
With confidence Jehoshaphat could say to the Lord, "Our eyes are upon
thee."
For years he had taught the people to trust in the One who in past ages
had
so often interposed to save His chosen ones from utter destruction; and
now,
when the kingdom was in peril, Jehoshaphat did not stand alone; "all Judah
stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their
children." Verse 13. Unitedly they fasted and prayed; unitedly they
besought
the Lord to put their enemies to confusion, that the name of Jehovah might
be glorified.
"Keep not Thou silence, O God:
Hold not Thy peace, and be not still, O God.
For, lo, Thine enemies make a tumult:
And they that hate Thee have lifted up the head.
They have taken crafty counsel against Thy people,
And consulted against Thy hidden ones.
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from
being a nation;
That the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
For they have consulted together with one consent:
They are confederate against Thee:
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites;
Of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek. . . .
Do unto them as unto the Midianites;
As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: . . .
Let them be confounded and troubled forever;
Yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
That men may know that Thou, whose name alone is
Jehovah,
Art the Most High over all the earth."
Psalm 83.
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As the people joined with their king in humbling themselves before God,
and
asking Him for help, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, "a Levite
of
the sons of Asaph," and he said:
"Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou King
Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by
reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of
Ziz;
and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of
Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand
ye
still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem:
fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will
be with you."
"Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and
the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, wor****ping the Lord.
And
the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the
Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on
high."
Early in the morning they rose and went into the wilderness of Tekoa. As
they advanced to the battle, Jehoshaphat 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." "And when he had
consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that
should praise the beauty of holiness." 2 Chronicles 20:14-21. These
singers
went before the army, lifting their voices in praise to God for the
promise
of victory.
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It was a singular way of going to battle against the enemy's
army--praising
the Lord with singing, and exalting the God of Israel. This was their
battle
song. They possessed the beauty of holiness. If more praising of God were
engaged in now, hope and courage and faith would steadily increase. And
would not this strengthen the hands of the valiant soldiers who today are
standing in defense of truth?
"The Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount
Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. For the
children
of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly
to
slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of
Seir, everyone helped to destroy another.
"And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked
unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the
earth,
and none escaped." Verses 22-24.
God was the strength of Judah in this crisis, and He is the strength of
His
people today. We are not to trust in princes, or to set men in the place
of
God. We are to remember that human beings are fallible and erring, and
that
He who has all power is our strong tower of defense. In every emergency we
are to feel that the battle is His. His resources are limitless, and
apparent impossibilities will make the victory all the greater.
"Save us, O God of our salvation,
And gather us together,
And deliver us from the heathen,
That we may give thanks to Thy holy name,
And glory in Thy praise."
1 Chronicles 16-35.
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Laden with spoil, the armies of Judah returned "with joy; for the Lord had
made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with
psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord." 2
Chronicles
20:27, 28. Great was their cause for rejoicing. In obedience to the
command,
"Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord: . . . fear not, nor be
dismayed," they had put their trust wholly in God, and He had proved to be
their fortress and their deliverer. Verse 17. Now they could sing with
understanding the inspired hymns of David:
"God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble. . . .
He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
He burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted
in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge."
Psalm 46.
"According to Thy name, O God,
So is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth:
Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice,
Let the daughters of Judah be glad,
Because of Thy judgments. . . .
"This God is our God for ever and ever:
He will be our guide even unto death."
Psalm 48:10-14.
Through the faith of Judah's ruler and of his armies "the fear of God was
on
all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord
fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was
quiet:
for his God gave him rest." 2 Chronicles 20:29, 30.
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