THE TRUTH IN
PRINT
April 2003, Vol. 9: Issue 3.
A CASE OF COMPROMISE
By Bob W. Lovelace
2 Chronicles 17 begins with Jehoshaphat (king of Jerusalem) the son of Asa
strengthening himself and Judah against Israel, the northern kingdom. I kings 15 explains why.
Concerning Asa, Jehoshaphat's
father, 1 Kings 15:16-24 says:
"[16] And
there was war between Asa and Baasha
king of Israel all their days. [17] And Baasha
king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go
out or come in to Asa king of Judah. [18] Then Asa took all
the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the
Lord, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand
of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Ben-hadad, the son of Tabrimon, the
son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus,
saying, [19] There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and
thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come
and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that
he may depart from me. [20] So Ben-hadad hearkened
unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts
which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan,
and Abel-beth-maachah, and all Cinneroth,
with all the land of Naphtali. [21] And it came to pass, when Baasha
heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah. [22] Then king Asa made a
proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of
Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with
them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
[23] The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his
might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written
in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was
diseased in his feet. [24] And Asa slept with his
fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead."
Dear reader, because of these wars when Jehoshaphat
(Asa's son) became king he knew who his enemy was and
fortified Judah against Israel. Question: Is there an inconsistency seen in Jehoshaphat as we read the following from 2 Chronicles
18:1-3?
2 Chron. 18:1-3 (KJV)
"Now Jehoshaphat had riches
and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with
Ahab. [2] And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in
abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up
with him to Ramoth-gilead. [3] And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king
of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead?
And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will
be with thee in the war."
This plainly states that Jehoshaphat allied
himself with the very ones he strengthened himself against! Moreover, the
description of Ahab from I Kings 16:28-34 is certainly not of the same
character as good Jehoshaphat. Here is Ahab's
description:
"So Omri slept with his
fathers, and was buried in Samaria:
and Ahab his son reigned in his stead. [29] And in the thirty and eighth year
of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri
to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. [30] And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. [31] And it came to pass, as if it had been
a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians,
and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. [32] And he reared up an altar
for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. [33] And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to
provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. [34] In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his
youngest son Segub, according to the word of the
Lord, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun."
This is at the time when Elijah was sent to punish Israel and Ahab.
Compare now Ahab's religion you've just read about with the
following description of Jehoshaphat. He did not let
the Levitical service and the Temple deteriorate, but was diligent in having the Law of
God taught in Judah:
2 Chron. 17:6-9,
"And his heart was lifted up in
the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and
groves out of Judah. [7] Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even
to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel,
and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. [8] And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama
and Jehoram, priests. [9] And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them,
and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people."
Question: Why
then do we read about him allying himself with wicked Ahab and going to visit?
(See above, 2 Chron. 18:1-3). For one he had made a
marriage tie with Ahab, thus a family connection. How can a man who is so
concerned about God's law do this and then go and visit? Anyone can tell you
that Jehoshaphat is in for trouble!"
Would You Consider Taking Your Bible Now And Reading 2 Ch.
18-19 With These Questions In View?
1. What impression did the "big show" that Ahab threw for Jehoshaphat make upon him?
2. How shrewd is Ahab with regard to the "timing" of the offer
of compromise?
3. Do you agree that the lesson is that one must be able to identify the
offer of compromise and deal with it at the very moment is appears?
4. Where did those who went to the party with Jehoshaphat
fail?
5. What do people like so much about
banquets and big parties?
6. Doesn't verse 4 show that the moment he said
it he knew that he'd done wrong?
7. How do you think Jehoshaphat felt having to
set and listen to 400 phonies?
8. How do the words "He set me up!" fit in with 18:29?
9. Who's crying out to the Lord in verse 31? Why
is he in this mess?
10. What charge was brought by God against Jehoshaphat
in 2 Ch. 19:1-2. Who did he help? Whom did he love?
11. Read I Kings 22:45-49. Do you think Jehoshaphat
learned his lesson?
Here's Some Practical Application That Should Be Made On
Compromising:
I. Compromising destroys our warnings offered to others for they see our
inconsistencies (Cp. Gen. 19:2, 14). Lot chose to live
among the most ungodly upon the face of the earth!
II. When someone says, "Look! this is what that person is known for and you know what they
did to you before," then listen and do not put yourself in a compromising
situation again (Cp. Nu. 31:12-18). The antecedent
conduct of another is just grounds at times for anger.
III. Each compromise paves the way the for the next.
And with each successive compromise one grows more spiritually destitute (Cp.
Saul's (sic, Solomon's, BWL) sins in I Kings 10:26-11:6 with what God said Kings must do in De. 17:14-20). If I don't get myself a Bible, read it daily,
learn to fear God and guard against pride I'll compromise like the smartest man
on earth did!
IV. I must deal with the offer of compromise when it first appears (Cp. Ezra
4:1-3).
V. State your religious convictions in order to avoid compromise. (Cp. Esther
3:4). You can rest assured if they differ from the majority they'll get
attention from those "higher up" the ladder. Don't let the fact that
it is "going up" stop you!
VI. Make up your mind to keep yourself from sin (Cp. Dn. 3:16-18).
VII. Be certain that your actions are consistent with
your statements about God's goodness, power and providence (Cp. Ezra 8:21-23).
VIII. State publicly the compromising position of those who continue in sin
(Cp. Nehemiah 13).
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NOTE:
If you are looking for "the church" that you read about in your New
Testament then you will find an in depth study of that very church right here
on our website, Fundamental Lessons on the Church. Just click here for
Lesson One.
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