Year 1, Week 50, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 50, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 2 Chronicles 19-20.

Today’s reading provides additional information about the reign of Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 19 begins an assessment of Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab. The prophet Jehu declared: “Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD” (2 Chronicles 19:1-2). But Jehu’s assessment was not completely negative: “Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God” (2 Chronicles 19:3). Many of Jehoshaphat’s wonderful accomplishments are recorded. 2 Chronicles 20 records what Jehoshaphat did upon hearing the news of an eminent invasion by the Moabites and Ammonites: “Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:2-3). The LORD displayed His great power by delivering the Southern Kingdom of Judah from the hands of the invasion. Sadly, in spite of Jehu’s condemnation of the alliance with Ahab, today’s reading ends with an account of Jehoshaphat joining with Ahab’s son to create something of a new alliance: “After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly” (2 Chronicles 20:35).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was Jehoshaphat’s fickleness. Jehoshaphat was one of the eight good kings in Judah: “He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 20:32). But the designation of being a good king did not suggest that there were things he could have done to be an even better king: “The high places, however, were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 20:33). The Chronicler provides a full evaluation of Jehoshaphat’s rule. Where Jehoshaphat modeled what a godly king should do, it is recorded. When Jehoshaphat overhauled the structures of the priests, he did right for the nation: “And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities…Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the upright!” (2 Chronicles 19:9-11). The Levites were to judge with a sense of the fear of God and with an awareness of righteousness. And when Judah was about to be attacked by the combined forces of the Moabites and Ammonites, Jehoshaphat sought the LORD: “And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court” (2 Chronicles 20:5).

The prayer of Jehoshaphat, upon hearing of an imminent invasion, was recorded by the Chronicler so that it would be known what to do when threatened. Jehoshaphat knew to appeal to who the LORD is: “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6); and well as what the LORD had done in the past: “Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:7). The LORD had promised to hear His people when they looked to Him and cried out for help: “Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Jehoshaphat reflected his understanding of what the LORD said to Solomon: “If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save” (2 Chronicles 20:9). 

The LORD provided a clear assurance: “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17). And yet, in spite of Jehoshaphat knowing what to do as well as the LORD displaying His commitment to protect and provide, Jehoshaphat had a penchant to build alliances in place of looking to the LORD. And when Jehoshaphat did, the prophets would confront and the consequences would come: “Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish” (2 Chronicles 20:37).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe