15 May

Bible In 365 Days                                                                                            

2 Chronicles 18-20

2 Chronicles 18

These chapters contain the story of a strange lapse in the history of Jehoshaphat, and also of his repentance and restoration. Ahab was king in Israel, perhaps the most evil that ever sat on the throne. With him Jehoshaphat made affinity. The story of this strange and false union is very interesting. The king of Judah attempted to insist, in the midst of the corruption of the court of Ahab, on the necessity for consulting Jehovah on the proposed campaign to Ramothgilead. It was strange company for a man of God to be in, and he barely escaped with his life, and would not have escaped but for the intervention of Jehovah. One nameless man "drew his bow at a venture," as the margin reads, "in his simplicity." It was not even a venture in the sense of an attempt, or a gambling against odds, in the hope of killing the king of Israel. It was done "in his simplicity," that is, artlessly, without any intention other than that of "carrying on" in the ordinary sense of that word. Probably this man already had shot many arrows, and he went on in his simplicity, little knowing that this particular arrow was to be guided through all the confusion straight to its mark by the unerring knowledge and power of God. Yet so it was.

Thus it is seen how the refuge of lies is never hidden from the eyes of God. Men may secrete themselves so that other men may never find them; but when the hour of their judgment has come, God takes hold on some ordinary event and makes it the highway on which He comes to carry out His purpose. "It just happened," says the man of the world. "God did it," says the man of faith.

2 Chronicles 19

Returning to Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat was rebuked by Jehu, the son of Hanani, in words which it would be well for all of us perpetually to bear in mind: "Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate the Lord?"

Evidently Jehoshaphat realized his wrong, and showed his repentance in a new mission, to bring his people back to Jehovah and to establish the internal administration of the kingdom in righteousness.

His words addressed to the judges are full of value, and of perpetual application. Those who are called on at any time and in any way to administer justice are acting for God, and not for man. They are not seeking to serve men, but to maintain the strict cause of justice, which is to be measured only' by divine standards. With God there is no iniquity, no respect of persons, no taking of bribes. So must it be with those who act as judges. Thus, and thus only, are the true interests of men served. To seek to please men is to be unjust to men. To seek to please God is to be just to men.

2 Chronicles 20

This chapter gives us the story which perhaps reveals most graphically the simplicity and splendor of the faith of Jehoshaphat. His kingdom was threatened with powerful and terrible invasion. In his extremity he gathered his people about him, and prayed. The prayer is a powerful outpouring of his consciousness of need. He pleaded, as men ever do when in need they come before God, recalled the past evidences of the faithfulness of Jehovah, and confessing his inability to cope with the danger, asked God for His help.

It is a great picture, this king surrounded by the nation, men with their wives and their children. The response was not delayed. The Spirit of God came upon Jahaziel, and the answer was the announcement that all Judah had to do was to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Then followed the united worship of the people, and the solemn chanting of praise to God. Discomfiture fell on the foe, without Judah striking a blow. It was a moment bright with light amid the darkness. Once again the arm of the Lord acted for His people as definitely as when in the ancient days it broke the power of Egypt and divided the sea, leading the Hebrews from captivity to freedom.

The closing verses of the chapter contain a brief statement of yet another lapse, in that Jehoshaphat made commercial alliances with Ahaziah, king of Israel. His enterprises were unsuccessful because God broke his ships in pieces.