READ: 1 Kin. 22:29–51; 2 Chr. 19:1–3: So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead …
It is shocking that the words of the true prophet Micaiah are not followed and evidently not taken seriously. Before Jehoshaphat’s eyes, Micaiah is even led to prison.
Not only Ahab but also Jehoshaphat proceed with their battle plan despite the urgent warnings of the LORD. Ahab is not specifically admonished for this; he will die as foretold, with dogs licking his blood.
But Jehoshaphat, who otherwise is known as a believing king, is severely rebuked after his return (2 Chr. 19:1–3). Yes, he returns from the battle unharmed, “in peace.”
But when he returns to Jerusalem, Jehu the son of Hanani confronts him about this act of unfaithfulness, in which he resisted the command of the LORD. That command is that Jehoshaphat must have no part in Ahab’s ungodliness and must not walk in a way that brings the LORD’s curse. In fact, he has despised the LORD Himself.
Jehu says to him: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?” Now great wrath rests upon him. Yet Jehoshaphat is not rejected by God, because his heart is set on seeking God. Jehoshaphat’s deed shows that even true believers can sin grievously, as was also the case with David and Peter.
The Canons of Dort point this out in the fifth chapter on the perseverance of the saints: “Therefore they must continually watch and pray, that they may not be led into temptation. When they do not do this, not only can they be carried away by the flesh, the world, and Satan into great and heinous sins, but they are sometimes actually so carried away—God justly permitting it … by such gross sins they highly provoke God’s wrath … only when they return to the right way through serious repentance does God again cause His fatherly face to shine upon them.”
What does this last statement say about yourself?
Singing: Ps. 25:5