JEHOSHAPHAT


2 CHRON. 17; 18; 19
A. "AND THE LORD WAS WITH JEHOSHAPHAT BECAUSE HE WALKED IN THE FIRST WAYS OF HIS FATHER DAVID, AND SOUGHT NOT BAALIM" 2 KINGS 17:3
  1. This is, in part, a summation of the Bible story of Jehoshaphat - Jehovah is judge:
    1. It is a good record, full of helpful material for a useful life
    2. Jehoshaphat was one of the best kings in Judah - I Kings 15:24
  2. This commendable record of Jehoshaphat is in sharp contrast to the life story of some of the other kings in both Judah and Israel:
B. NOTE THESE INSPIRING FACTS ABOUT KING JEHOSHAPHAT AND HIS LIFE
  1. He walked in the first ways of his Father David:
    1. Of David it is written, "And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people" - 2 Sam. 8:15
    2. In this Solomon failed on different occasions - I Kings 11:6
    3. That was true, also, of Jereboam - I Kings 15:3
  2. He followed or sought not Baalism:
    1. Idolatry that Israel practiced in its early history - Judges 2:11; 3:7; 10:6-10
    2. The one sin that brought Israel's final doom - Jer. 9:14
  3. He instituted reforms:
    1. In the judicial practice in Judah - 2 Chron. 19:6-9
    2. He directed the Levites to teach the people the law of the Lord and bring them back to serve the Lord - 2 Chron. 17:9-10
    3. His flawless reign was, however, marred by entering into an alliance with Ahab of which the Lord could not approve and which brought near disaster to him 2 Chron. 18:1-34
    4. But, in spite of this error, God blessed him with a successful reign in Judah
C. SEVENFOLD GLORIOUS OBJECT LESSONS FOR GOD'S PEOPLE OUT OF THE RICH LIFE OF JEHOSHAPHAT KING IN JUDAH
  1. Walking in the ways of the Lord is the very foundation of all true success:
    1. That was the great secret of the great wisdom and fame of Solomon for a time - I Kings 3:5-14
    2. That was true even in the reign of Saul so long as he walked in the ways of the Lord - I Sam. 15:16
  2. But to walk in the ways of the Lord one must forsake every evil way:
    1. Said the Lord, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts" - Is. 55:7
    2. For it is impossible to serve the Lord and the devil at the save time - Matt. 6:24
  3. Jehoshaphat feared the Lord, and that, too, is a basic condition of a useful life:
    1. Said the wise man, "Let us hear the conclusion to the whole matter; Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man" - Eccl. 12:13
    2. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" - Ps. 111:10
  4. Jehoshaphat relied upon the Lord throughout his long and useful reign:
    1. Here is still another great secret of success in life - "for without Me, ye can do nothing" - John 15:5
    2. Writes James, "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that" - James 4:15
  5. He trusted God at all times:
    1. In time of crisis - 2 Chron. 20
    2. Said David, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God" - Ps. 20:7
  6. Jehoshaphat was among those who knew their God and that was one of the secrets of his reign:
    1. "But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" Dan. 11:32
    2. David did see what God did for him - I Sam. 17
  7. Finally, what God did for Jehoshaphat, He will do for any of his children who learn upon him


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