Read: 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34; Romans 9:22-10:13; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 20:2-3
When Asa died, his son, Jehoshaphat became king. He began his kingship cleansing the land further of idolatry, taking down the high places and the Asherah poles. He sent officials and Levites to teach the people in the towns about the law. Other nations saw the hand of God on Judah and wanted to be allies. The Philistines and the Arabs brought gifts to Jehoshaphat as his power continued to grow. He fortified and armed his towns with weapons and security. Then Jehoshaphat made a fatal mistake. He made a covenant with Israel and married Ahab’s daughter. Ahab was Israel’s king and he was evil.
Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab and found Ahab wanting his help in attacking Ramoth-Gilead. Jehoshaphat agreed to help him but first wanted to ask the Lord if they would be successful. Ahab called his prophets in which were all Baal prophets and they said with much pomp and circumstance that he should attack because he would win. Jehoshaphat wasn’t convinced. He asked if there was a prophet of God and Ahab said that there was but he never told him anything good. They called for Micah and he came in and sarcastically agreed with the Baal prophets. When Ahab asked for the truth, he told him. He would not win and Ahab would die in battle. Micah was thrown in prison and Ahab rebelliously went to battle the next day.
Even in Ahab’s disguise, God directed an arrow to go right in between the folds of his armor and he died. God spared Jehoshaphat because when he was being pursued, he called out to the Lord.
Rebellion is nothing more than “going your own way”. Ahab’s pride would not let him humble himself in front of his men and fear the words of a man he thought was beneath him. It cost him his life.
In Romans, Paul explains that the Gentiles, who had been the instruments God had used in the past to bring wrath upon his people when they disobeyed, were now being used as instruments of his mercy and grace. God was putting his spirit in Gentiles and Jews alike and calling them both, his people.
The Jews were given the law, but it did not make them righteous because they didn’t mix it with faith. Instead, the law became a stumbling stone that kept them from seeing the revelation of the law. The Gentiles received the good news by faith and obtained the promise. The law was meant to bring a person to salvation.
Lord, thank you again for grace and faith. Increase our faith to believe the impossible because that is where you dwell.
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