1 Kings 20,21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

After succeeding his father, Asa, Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel. The Bible says "... He sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel." (2 Chronicles 17:4)

Jehoshaphat sent teachers with the Book of the Law throughout Judah. Unfortunately he made the mistake of allying himself with Ahab. (2 Chronicles 18:1) One of Ahab’s problems is he didn’t like hearing the truth and this drove him to false prophets and false spirits. Jehoshaphat wanted a real prophet of God. Ahab didn't, saying "But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me." (1 Kings 22:8) Micaiah prophesied disaster for Israel. In a strange parody of a self-fulfilling prophecy, Ahab says, "Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?" In the coming battle, Ahab in disguise is killed and Jehoshaphat returns to his palace in Jerusalem. He then begins to turn the people back to God. He appoints judges in the land and in the fortified cities. In Jerusalem, he appoints Levites and family heads to administer the Law of the Lord. (2 Chronicles 19:8)

We should be encouraged to not stand in a place of pride or just wanting our ears tickled as Ahab did. Instead let’s be open to the Lord and attack every day from a place of humility saying, “Lord what would YOU have me do today”. (Jehoshaphat set his face to seek the LORD….2 Chronicles 20:3)

When Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae (the book of Colossians) he did this because many of the Christians there had begun to listen to false teachers, like Ahab and his false prophets. One of the most devastating things about false teachings is so many of them have threads of truth or better said may seem so close to the gospel that it is hard to spot the truth from fiction. Yet these false teachings fork off on their own journey that runs down a crooked path. Paul really tried to emphasize Christ is superior in this letter. I believe Paul wrote more about Christ in Colossians than in any other letters. These letters remind us that our past life is gone, “water under the bridge”. Christ has made us free and calls us to live in that freedom. So, again let’s take every day and ask the Lord, “What would YOU have me do today?” as we live our lives for His service.

Blessings,
Pastor Jason


Next Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4