And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country. So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the Word of the LORD which He spake. (1 Kings 22:32-38)
After the prophet Micaiah revealed the false prophets and the lying spirit and was jailed for his efforts, Jehoshaphat and Ahab went out to war against Syria. Jehoshaphat had made an ill-advised agreement with Ahab to fight Syria. Jehoshaphat dressed as a king was pursued by the Syrians until they realized it was not the king of Israel. Ahab tried to avoid the battle by disguising himself but was shot anyway by an archer who shot randomly and Ahab died. He was buried in Samaria just as God had foretold by Elijah and Micaiah. His son reigned for a short time but judgment was already coming from God.
Ahab could not disguise himself from God and should have listened to Micaiah who prophesied that he would not return in peace from the battle. Jehoshaphat sought Ahab’s help with the Syrian’s but God had it planned to end Ahab’s life and his reign. A seemingly random arrow mortally wounded Ahab, despite his disguise and everything the LORD had said about him came to pass just as Elijah and Micaiah had said by the Word of the LORD.
Following the Word of the LORD and being obedient to God in these trying times is not easy and often we are not rewarded in this life but only when we stand before God. If our actions in while we are here are more like Ahab’s than Jehoshaphat’s then we may receive the same end when God brings judgment and correction upon His people. If we act like Jehoshaphat and make a league with those who are not of God, being then unequally yoked, God may allow us to experience the consequences of our choice, but our ministry will falter and our testimony will be damaged. God calls His people to holiness that we might glorify Him in the missions, ministry, and discipleship which He has called us to do, not to gain or keep that which He gives by grace, but to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach His Word for as long as we are here. Those who do not yet know Christ by faith in God and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are called to repentance and salvation through God’s Word, His Spirit, and His church, that they may be reconciled with God and whosoever will may be made new in Christ and His righteousness. All that God calls us to do and be should point others to our Creator, Redeemer, and King until He is done with us.
Until that day, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Ahab could not disguise himself from God and should have listened to Micaiah who prophesied that he would not return in peace from the battle. Jehoshaphat sought Ahab’s help with the Syrian’s but God had it planned to end Ahab’s life and his reign. A seemingly random arrow mortally wounded Ahab, despite his disguise and everything the LORD had said about him came to pass just as Elijah and Micaiah had said by the Word of the LORD.
Following the Word of the LORD and being obedient to God in these trying times is not easy and often we are not rewarded in this life but only when we stand before God. If our actions in while we are here are more like Ahab’s than Jehoshaphat’s then we may receive the same end when God brings judgment and correction upon His people. If we act like Jehoshaphat and make a league with those who are not of God, being then unequally yoked, God may allow us to experience the consequences of our choice, but our ministry will falter and our testimony will be damaged. God calls His people to holiness that we might glorify Him in the missions, ministry, and discipleship which He has called us to do, not to gain or keep that which He gives by grace, but to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach His Word for as long as we are here. Those who do not yet know Christ by faith in God and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are called to repentance and salvation through God’s Word, His Spirit, and His church, that they may be reconciled with God and whosoever will may be made new in Christ and His righteousness. All that God calls us to do and be should point others to our Creator, Redeemer, and King until He is done with us.
Until that day, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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