DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN!

I just finished reading about King Jehoshaphat of Judah [II Chronciles 17-20].  He was thirty-five when he became king, and he reigned for twenty-five years.

This guy was fanatical about serving God!  He sent teachers throughout the land to teach the people the Scriptures.  He knocked down all the heathen altars and destroyed all the false idols.  As a result, God prospered him and gave him peace.  Jehoshaphat built up strong defenses and was an excellent administrator!

At one point, Jehoshaphat made an alliance with King Ahab of Israel by marrying his son to Ahab's daughter. 

A few years later, Jehoshaphat was visiting King Ahab who talked him into merging forces to fight a foreign army.  In the battle, Ahab is killed but Jehoshaphat escaped.  Through a prophet, God admonished Jehoshaphat:  Should you be helping the wicked, and loving those who hate the Lord? 

Jehoshaphat seems to have gotten the message:  So Jehoshaphat made no more trips to Israel after that, but remained quietly in Jerusalem.  Jehoshaphat went to work establishing judges and courts to serve the people throughout his land!

Before long, a three-nation force declared war on Judah.  Jehoshaphat prayed for God's protection publicly.  God promised to protect him and to defeat his enemies.  King Jehoshaphat led his people into battle by sending woshipers ahead of the troops!  God turned the three-nation force against each other and they slaughtered one another - leaving tremendous spoils for the people of Judah!

Then, before his story ends, the author includes the following post script:

But at the close of his life, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, went into partnership with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who was a very wicked man.  They made ships [together].  Then [a prophet prophesied] against Jehoshaphat, telling him, 'Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your work.'  So the ships met disaster and never arrived at [their destination].

DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

Jehoshaphat had a heart for God and wanted to accomplish great things for Him!  But, he had a tendency to form unhealthy alliances! 

These alliances pulled him down and distanced him from God!  He put his trust in others instead of putting his trust in the Almighty One! 

II Corinthians 6:14 (LB)
Don't team up with those who are unbelievers.  How can goodness be a partner with wickedness?

I'm sure this doesn't mean that we exclude unbelievers from our fellowship;  however, it should caution us when we find ourselves thinking about making a business alliance with someone who denies the reality and power of God! 

Jehoshaphat should have known better!  He had learned that lesson once.  It's an unfortunate postscript on his career! 

Don't let the same happen to you!  Finish well!