Mon.’s Devo -  Jehoshaphat’s Righteous Rule 7-27-26

Read: 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37; Romans 10:14-11:12; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 20:4-6

Jehoshaphat returned from fighting with Ahab in which Ahab was killed. Jehu the seer came to meet him and asked him why he loved and helped the wicked who hate the Lord, speaking of Ahab and Israel. God was not pleased with him, but he did see how he had destroyed the Asheroth out of his land and set his heart to seek Him.

Jehoshaphat went out among the people to bring them back to the Lord. He appointed good and honest men of integrity to judge the people. He warmed the judges that they would be  making decisions for the Lord, so to be fair and honest. He told them to let the fear of God help in their decisions - to be impartial and not to take bribes. 

He did the same in Jerusalem and appointed Levites and priest to judge all the cases. He warned them not to do anything to incur guilt or the wrath of God. 

The Moabites, Ammonites and some of the Menuites came up against them to war. When Jehoshaphat was told this he set his face to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a fast and all Judah assembled to seek the Lord from all the cities of Judah. 

Jehoshaphat stood before the people and prayed for their safety and for God’s help. God gave them a word through the Levite, Jahaziel. He told them not to be afraid because this battle was not theirs but the Lord’s. They were to go to the ascent of Ziz and take up their position and then just stand. They would see the salvation of the Lord. 

Jehoshaphat bowed his head to the ground and all of the people followed. The Levites led them in praise.

They went to the place they had been told to go and Jehoshaphat encouraged them to believe in the Lord and have courage. The appointed singers sang to give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever. When they began to sing, the Lord set an ambush against their enemies and they were routed. They destroyed each other. 

When Judah looked from their watchtower all they saw were dead bodies strewn over the land. It took three days to collect all the spoil. On the fourth day they met and blessed the Lord. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy and singing. The fear of God came on all the kings around them when they heard what had happened. 

Jehoshaphat ruled over Judah 25 years and walked with the Lord all his life. The people still worshiped in the high places because their hearts were not turned wholly to the Lord. 

Jehoshaphat joined with Ahazial of Israel to build ships to go to Tarshish but the prophet Eliezer prophesied against him because he had joined with Israel. The ships wrecked and never made their destination. 

In Romans, Paul has just told the how God’s plan was to save the world - Jews and Gentiles. But, how can he do this if someone doesn’t go out and tell the Gentiles about the Lord? He reminded them of prophecies about how the Gentiles would make them jealous and angry because of their zeal for the Lord. He also reminds them that God said that he held out his hands to save his chosen ones but they refused to come to him.

God had not rejected his chosen people completely because Paul was one of them. Just like in the days of Elijah, he had faithful followers hidden away. His elect would see the truth and believe, the rest were given a spirit of slumber and could not see or hear the truth. Their rejection ended in the acceptance of the Gentiles, but the acceptance of the Gentiles into God’s kingdom will also lead to their return. It is a cycle to bring in all who will come to salvation.

Lord, thank you that you never give up on your chosen people. May we see righteous judgment return to our land with righteous leaders who honor and fear you. We pray for the salvation of our land and for Israel.