1 & 2 Chronicles – Page 6

2 Chronicles 19:1-11 – Justice is Served

Read 2 Chronicles 19:1-11

Jehoshaphat received the message loud and clear that the LORD was not pleased with him for his diversion in aiding King Ahab. What would you do if someone told you the LORD was angry with you? It appears Jehoshaphat’s next plan was to show his honor to God by establishing judges again to rule the people.

Jehoshaphat spent time setting the stage for this justice system by traveling among the people. He reminded them of their roots by “encouraging the people to return to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.” If the king is setting that kind of example, the people should pay attention, right?

2 Chronicles 18:9-34 – When the Truth Hurts

Read 2 Chronicles 18:9-34

Is that how you thought Ahab’s life would end? Despite all his efforts to defy Micaiah’s prophecy from the LORD, Ahab still died, just as the LORD had said. Clearly, Ahab chose not to let the prophet’s message from God stop him from his attempt to take over Ramoth-gilead.

I had to wonder why Jehoshaphat went along with Ahab after hearing the warning from God. Was Jehoshaphat secretly trying to get rid of Israel’s king by going along with this war? How could Jehoshaphat sit back and not stop his “friend” from signing his death warrant by marching off to war?

2 Chronicles 18:1-8 – Watch out for Non-Believers

Read 2 Chronicles 18:1-8

Watch out, Jehoshaphat! You’ve just encountered a “slippery slope” in your association with Ahab. The Chronicler hasn’t told us anything about Israel’s King Ahab, but in 1 Kings 16-22 you can read more about King Ahab. In a nutshell, he was married to Jezebel, and her influence was great in persuading Ahab to abandon God and establish Baal worship in Israel. We know how God feels about disloyalty!

So far, at least, the story seems harmless. These kings were, after all, in-laws since two of their children had married. We get a clue that things are not all that they seem when the text says Ahab was “enticing” Jehoshaphat with such an elaborate feast.

2 Chronicles 17:1-19 – Meet Jehoshaphat

Read 2 Chronicles 17:1-19

What a name! Did you find yourself rushing into the text to see if Jehoshaphat was going to follow the LORD or not? The last we know of Asa, his father, was that Asa had gone astray, not trusting in God like he had earlier in his reign. From the sounds of it, Jehoshaphat must remember the “good times” when his father was more obedient to God.

It must have been difficult to stay strong in those days, too. After all, family relations from the northern tribes who were following Israel’s rule had already chosen an alternate path. We may find ourselves troubled when our friends and family don’t cherish the Bible and having a relationship with our Creator and Savior, Jesus like we do. It’s sometimes hard to maintain those relationships.

2 Chronicles 16:1-14 – God’s Attentiveness

Read 2 Chronicles 16:1-14

Now we know why Asa’s peaceful rule abruptly changed in his final years. He didn’t turn to God first. That’s kind of an “oops” moment for me knowing there are plenty of times in my life so far that I’ve trusted worldly advisors first before turning to God. I’m quite sure I’m not alone. How many opportunities have I missed out on because my focus wasn’t right?

King Asa teaches us a great lesson here, one he probably didn’t even see as a teachable moment. Did Asa think that God was always “automatically” going to be with him? I think that’s partly my issue. I forget to ask before I jump because I know God is going to catch me. But why not soar with God instead?