Take your Bibles with me and turn to 2 Chronicles 17. Yes, 2 Chronicles. We've been in 1 Kings for awhile, but remember, we aren't doing a series on 1 Kings, we are looking at different stories of the Bible.

One way to think about 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles is this: 1 and 2 Kings is written primarily from the perspective of the Northern Kingdom - of Israel. Ahab, Jeroboam - Elijah and Elisha - all of that stuff happened in the Northern Kingdom.

But 1 and 2 Chronicles is written from the perspective of the southern kingdom - Judah. And the king we are going to talk about tonight was a king of Judah.

Now, Israel and Judah both had about the same number of kings. They both had 19 different kings. And it is easy to get confused (Rehoboam, Jereboam - Ahaziah, Amaziah, Azariah. Zechariah and Zedekiah) I'm getting confused just reading these names.

But the important thing to know is that all 19 of Israel's kings were evil. All of them did evil in the sight of God. But some of the kings of Judah were pretty good. It was more like half and half.

And Israel didn't last very long - but Judah kept going for 137 years after Israel.

So we've been focused for awhile on king Ahab in Israel - one of the most wicked kings in Israel's history of wicked kings.

And now we are going to shift focus to one of Ahab's contemporaries - king Jehoshaphat in Judah.

And here is the thing: if Ahab was the worst of Israel's bad kings. Jehoshaphat has a good claim on being the best of Judah's good kings. But he wasn't perfect, and we can learn a lot from his amazing life.

• What it means to be a godly leader
• How even godly people can compromise with the world and how that hurts them in the end.
• How God wants to show Himself strong in delivering us.

Are you in 2 Chronicles 17? Let's start by reading the first 9 verses.

[!bible] 2 Chronicles 17:1-9 - KJV

1. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
3. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
4. But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
5. Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
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.
7. Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8. And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
9. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

So when I say that Jehoshaphat was the best of the best, how he really was a good king. This is what I mean. He came into power in Judah, taking over for his father (another godly king named Asa) and his whole life was a life marked by godliness.

He really is a picture of

1. what it means to be a godly leader.

First, he was personally holy. The Bible tells us that he sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments. Jehoshaphat wasn't going through the motions because it was expected of him as a king. He really wanted to be led by the Lord and to walk with the Lord personally.

One of the great dangers of any spiritual leader is to become a professional Christian. Meaning, it doesn't really matter to us, we are just going through the motions of Christianity because it is part of the job. We need leaders who personally are living for the Lord, who can say like Paul "follow me as I follow Christ." Jehoshaphat was that guy for Judah.

Second, he was a godly leader because he fought against idolatry. His father had taken away the high places, but the nature of idols is they keep coming back, and Jehoshaphat had to get rid of them again.

Just because you had revival back in 88, doesn't mean the idols of your heart won't come back, and you have to keep fighting against them. Jehoshaphat was doing that for Judah.

Third, Jehoshaphat was a godly leader because he taught the people the word of God. Jehoshaphat realized that if his country was going to be great, that people needed to know the Bible, so he sent teaching priests to his leaders and to teach in all the land. They were teaching the Bible.

And he expected the Bible to be the guide for the life of the people. He even setup judges in chapter 19 to arbitrate based on the word of God.

Go ahead and turn to chapter 19. Look at verses 5-11

[!bible] 2 Chronicles 19:5-11 - KJV 5. And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, 6. And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. 7. 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. 8. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9. And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 10. 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. 11. And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the 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.

Jehoshaphat wanted the judges to be judging based on the Bible. He seems to be a king that, more than probably any other in the history of Judah (maybe with the exception of Josiah) said "we are going to take the Bible seriously, and we are going to live as God's holy people."

Church, how we need to take the Bible seriously in our life! How we need to take this book and try to live it! Not just at church, but in every area of our life, in our work, in our home, with our spouse - every decision should be guided by this book!

Jehoshaphat really was the cream of the crop. He was a great king of Judah and most of his life was just God's blessing. You can read about God blessing Jeshoshaphat in chapter 17 and then here again in chapter 19.

God blessed him materially. God blessed him with peace. God blessed this king over and over. Because when we live for God, and we make God's word our guide, that generally brings blessing to our life.

[!bible] Psalms 1:2-3 - KJV 2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Jehoshaphat was living that out.

But Jehoshaphat teaches us something else too: You see Jehoshaphat, as great as he was, wasn't perfect. He still compromised and that compromise hurt him and Judah dearly.

Remember Brother Adam's message last week? About Ahab's death. There was one interesting note there - Ahab didn't' go to battle alone. He went to battle with Jehoshaphat.

Before Jehoshaphat the kings of Judah and the kings of Israel were fighting. They were in this state of civil war. But Jehoshaphat decided to try to make peace with Israel, to make peace with Ahab.

[!bible] 2 Chronicles 18:1 - KJV

1. Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

Here is what that means: Jehoshaphat even married his family into Ahab's family. He married off his son to Ahab's daughter Athaliah.

This is much later on in the story, but Athaliah was HORRIBLE. She would later take control as Judah's only reigning queen. She was the worst thing that ever happened to Judah. She even tried to kill of the Davidic line at one point.

But we haven't even got there yet. Right now we just have this very godly king, making alliances with a very godless king. This very righteous man (Jehoshaphat) joining up with this very wicked man (Ahab).

And it is problematic. Through that whole story last week, as Ahab convinced Jehoshaphat to go to war with him, and Jehoshaphat - the godly man - said "let's seek God first." The question in my mind was "what are you doing here?" "Why are you joining up with such a snake?"

I mean Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from God - which is admirable - but he was linked up to a man God had already declared would be judged.

And in the beginning of chapter 19, God brings a prophet to confront Jehoshaphat on this. After Ahab is killed in battle and Jehoshaphat barely makes it home, God sends the prophet Jehu to confront Jehoshaphat.

Let's read in 2 Chronicles 19:1-3

[!bible] 2 Chronicles 19:1-3 - KJV

1. And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
3. 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.

This was a bold message, and it was a clear message. It was in the form of an obvious rhetorical question "Should you help the ungodly and love those who hate the Lord?"

What did Jehoshaphat do? He joined up with those who hate the Lord. He tried to, out of his own fleshly wisdom, join forces with the devil for the cause of God.

And God brought judgment because of it.

Now, church, there is a clear lesson for us here, even godly people, very godly people, can invite judgement into their life by joining up with world.

We can make what seem like practical and pragmatic choices that bring us closer and closer to the world and closer and closer to loving those who hate God.

Now, in a sense, we should love those who hate God. God loves those who hate God. We should want to evangelize them.

But in another sense, we need to stay away. We need to be different.

As the new testament puts it:

[!bible] 2 Corinthians 6:14 - KJV 14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

or

[!bible] 1 Corinthians 15:33 - KJV 33. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

When you associate in the wrong way with those who hate God - when you make them your friends. You are setting yourself up to be corrupted and you are confusing your witness.

Earlier I read Psalm 1:2-3 and talked about the key to Jehoshaphat's blessing - he loved the Bible and tried to live it.

But that passage also gives us his biggest struggle. Verse 1 says:

[!bible] Psalms 1:1 - KJV

1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Jehoshaphat was a man who tried to live the Bible while also sitting in the seat of the scornful and it doesn't work.

[!bible] James 4:4 - KJV 4. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Church - we are called to be different. To be distinct. We are to be in the world - but the world shouldn't be in us.

We are like a boat and the world is like the ocean. A boat serves no purpose if it isn't right there in the middle of the ocean. But it is even worse if the ocean gets into the boat.

Now, what are some ways that we can let the world in us? What are some ways we can love those who hate God?

I'm so glad you asked. Let me give you some:

1. We can date and marry outside of the faith. The Bible says this is not wise. It rarely works out well. If you are already married to an unbeliever, the Bible says you should stay married - but if you are unmarried - you are to marry in the Lord.
2. We can make binding business partnerships outside of the faith. I've personally learned this the hard way. If we enter into a partnership - we better be sure the people we are partnering with love the Lord and are living for the same Lord we are living for.
3. We can fill our mind with entertainment (music and movies and books) that glorifies evil. How can you sing "higher ground" on Sunday morning and then fill your mind with the mud of the romance novels that glorify adultery and fornication, or the vile music of the world that sings about adultery and fornication and drunkenness, or the vile movies that glorify violence and sin.

Church, the unsaved people you rub shoulders with should know you are different. They should know where you stand and they should know there are things you will not do.

There should be some tension when you are in the world.

When your coworkers are gossiping, there should be tension. When everyone's going to that movie, there should be tension. When the business deal requires you to shade the truth, there should be tension. That tension is the Holy Spirit reminding you that you're different

When you have to go into the world, you should be a stranger and a pilgrim there like Abraham, not the mayor like Lot.

Jehoshaphat unfortunately learned this lesson the hard way. Because of this sin, many in Judah he preached to would later turn to idolatry and come under the judgment of God. His own family would be massacred by the godless woman he arranged to marry his own son.

But right now in the story - Jehoshaphat, who was a godly man - repented. Look at verse 4:

[!bible] 2 Chronicles 19:4 - KJV 4. And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

Jehoshaphat personally led a revival again in Judah after being confronted by the prophet.

And that is amazing. But do you know what happened next? God brought a trial.

Look at verse 1 of chapter 20.

[!bible] 2 Chronicles 20:1-2 - KJV

1. It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
2. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi.

Right after their revival - they had trials. They had problems.

Listen, sometimes God brings trials into our life not when we are doing wrong but when we are doing right, to strengthen our faith in Him.

That is exactly what happened here. The leaders come into Jehoshaphat's chamber and say "Um, boss, we have a problem - there is a vast army coming to defeat us, and they are only 20 miles away."

This was a hopeless situation. What was Jehoshaphat going to do?

What would Ahab have done? He would have called in all of his allies. He would have called up Jehoshaphat. He would have tried every human trick in the book.

But notice what Jehoshaphat does - this is powerful.

[!bible] 2 Chronicles 20:3-13 - KJV 3. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4. 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. 5. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6. And said, O LORD God of our fathers, 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? 7. 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 for ever? 8. And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, 9. 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. 10. 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; 11. Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 13. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

Jehoshaphat's back was against the wall and look - he prayed. He led all Israel to pray. What a powerful prayer!

They decided that they weren't going to trust human help - they were going to trust God and boy did God deliver.

God sent a prophet into the prayer meeting with a word from God. Verse 15.

[!bible] 2 Chronicles 20:15 - KJV 15. 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.

That's a great phrase "the battle is not yours, but God's"

He keeps going. Look at verse 17

[!bible] 2 Chronicles 20:17 - KJV 17. 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; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

Another great phrase "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord with you...the Lord will be with you."

So Jehoshaphat and all Judah went to this battle field, but they didn't go to fight. In fact, they were trusting God. They even had singers and musicians go before them, praising God.

And God brought this great spirit of confusion to the invading armies, and they started killing each other. They killed each other until there was no one left.

When the Judean's got there - singing praise to God - they found a vast army just dead before them, because the battle is the Lord's.

But it get's better, these invading armies brought treasure with them - so much treasure that it took the Judaen's 3 full days to gather all the treasure. So this horrible trial became a massive blessing for the people.

Church, do you see the pattern in Jehoshaphat's life?

When Jehoshaphat trusted God and lived by His Word, God blessed him abundantly.

• He sought the Lord personally - God established his kingdom
• He taught the Bible to the people - God gave him peace and prosperity
• He set up judges based on God's Word - God made him great

But when Jehoshaphat tried to do things his own way, when he relied on his own wisdom instead of God's Word, it brought judgment.

• He thought he could make peace with Israel through an alliance with Ahab
• He thought he could accomplish God's purposes through worldly means
• He thought his own practical wisdom was enough
• And it brought the wrath of God upon him

But then, when the vast army came and Jehoshaphat had nowhere else to turn, he went back to trusting God completely - and God delivered him.

You see, the lesson of Jehoshaphat's life is simple but profound:

Trust God and His Word - and you'll be blessed. Trust yourself and your own wisdom - and you'll be judged. But when you repent and return to trusting God - He will deliver you.

It's really that simple, isn't it?

When we live by God's Word, when we make the Bible our guide for every decision, when we refuse to compromise with the world, when we trust God instead of trusting ourselves - God blesses that.

But when we think we know better than God, when we think we can ignore what the Bible says because we have a "better" way, when we make alliances with the world because it seems practical - we're inviting judgment into our lives.

The question for us tonight is this: Whose wisdom are you trusting?

Are you trusting God's Word? Are you making the Bible your guide in your marriage, in your business, in your entertainment choices, in your relationships?

Or are you trusting your own wisdom? Are you doing what seems practical, what seems to make sense, what the world says is the smart move?

Jehoshaphat learned the hard way that God's way is always best. Even when it doesn't make sense to us. Even when it seems impractical. Even when everyone else is doing it differently.

God's Word works. Your wisdom doesn't.

So tonight, let me challenge you: Stop trying to do life your own way. Stop thinking you know better than God. Stop making compromises because they seem practical.

Instead, do what Jehoshaphat did when he was at his best:

• Seek the Lord personally
• Live by God's Word completely
• Trust God fully - even when you don't understand

Because when you do that, God will bless you. He will establish you. He will deliver you.

But if you insist on doing things your own way, if you keep making alliances with the world, if you keep compromising - you're going to reap what you sow.

The choice is yours. Trust God and His Word, or trust yourself and your wisdom.

Jehoshaphat's life shows us which one works.

Let's pray.