Tag: Ahab

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1 Kings Devotionals

Making peace?

It’s always good to think about context as you’re reading the Bible. And that’s particularly true when it comes to verse 44.

Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel. (1 Kings 22:44)

At first glance, this was a good thing.

But if you look at verse 43, right after praising Jehoshaphat for doing what was right in God’s sight, it criticizes him for not taking down the high places.

People were probably worshiping the Lord at these places, but the problem was that God had told them to worship, and more specifically, to offer their sacrifices in Jerusalem alone. (Deuteronomy 12:4-11, 13)

It’s right after this, that the writer talks about Jehoshophat making peace with the king of Israel.

He’s continuing his criticism of Jehoshophat, not praising him for it.

But why would he criticize Jehoshaphat for making peace? Isn’t peace a good thing?

Normally, yes. But the way he made peace was marrying his son to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah. (2 Chronicles 18:1)

And as we’ll find out Athaliah, like her father, did not follow God. In fact, as we’ll see in chapter 11 of 2 Kings, she almost wiped out all of David’s line.

More than that, through Ahab’s influence, Jehoshaphat ignored the prophet’s counsel, and joined Ahab in battle against Aram.

This despite the fact that Jehoshaphat was clearly bothered by Ahab’s attitude toward the prophet. (1 Kings 22:8)

All this nearly cost Jehoshaphat his life. And another prophet would sharply criticize him after Jehoshaphat returned from battle. (2 Chronicles 19:2)

Unfortunately, Jehoshaphat would twice more make the same kind of mistake. (2 Chronicles 20:35-37, 2 Kings 3).

Solomon once wrote,

The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20)

“Fools” in the Old Testament don’t simply mean “foolish people.” It means people who set their hearts against God.

It’s one thing to do our best to be at peace with such people. It’s another to let them influence us.

If we do that, like Jehoshaphat, we can suffer great harm.

Who are you walking with?

Categories
1 Kings Devotionals

Vexed and sullen

And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen… (1 Kings 21:4)

Jesus told us that to enter God’s kingdom, we must become like a little child. But this is not what he meant.

Ahab was a king. God had entrusted Israel to him. And yet, Ahab acted like a spoiled brat.

Twice in five verses, it talks about Ahab going home vexed and sullen.

Once, because God rebuked him (1 Kings 20:43).

And now, because Naboth refused to sell Ahab his field. (1 Kings 21:4).

But it made me think, “Are there times I act like Ahab? Are there times I act vexed and sullen like a little child?”

God pointed out one area to me this morning. And I had to repent.

Are there times you act vexed and sullen? With your boss? With your husband or wife? With your boyfriend or girlfriend? With your friends?

Worst of all, with God?

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2 Chronicles Devotionals

Unequally yoked

2 Chronicles

The apostle Paul wrote,

Don’t become partners with those who do not believe. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?

Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

What agreement does Christ have with Belial?

Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)

While most times, we associate this passage with dating and marriage, this is true about any relationship where an unbeliever has too much influence in our lives.

We see this in the life of Jehoshaphat. He allowed Ahab far too much influence in his life, and it nearly cost him his life.

And while God showed grace to Jehoshaphat by sparing his life, nevertheless, God severely chastised him for his decision.

We, of course, cannot simply cut off all relationships with the people of this world.

Nevertheless, we need to be wise about who we build relationships with.

The biggest question is, are they influencing us, or are we influencing them?

If they are influencing us and causing us to make bad decisions as Ahab did with Jehoshaphat, we are unequally yoked, and we need to “unyoke” ourselves from them.

So let us heed the words of Paul.

Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you.

And I will be a Father to you,
and you will be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)