God keeps bringing me back to King Jehoshaphat, Judah’s fourth king, to glean lessons from him. Spiritually, Jehoshaphat began his reign in a positive way. Second Chronicles 17: 3-6 gives this commendation: “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.” In addition, Jehoshaphat sent men throughout the kingdom to teach the people the Law of God (2 Chronicles 17: -9). Military, Jehoshaphat fortified his defenses, primarily against the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Chronicles 17: 1-3). The surrounding nations feared Judah and brought tribute (2 Chronicles 17: 10-19).
Now, let’s consider some parallels with America and Jehoshaphat:
In the beginning of America the Puritan Brethren established a covenant with the LORD to follow Him and His ways. (Mayflower Compact) America was established as a client nation to God to proclaim the Gospel across the land. America was blessed and became wealthy and obtained honor. America was known as a Christian nation. (In God We Trust) America established a strong military respected by the world. In an attempt to make peace with Israel, Jehoshaphat reached out to Ahab, the wicked king of Israel and made an unholy alliance with him. Jehoshaphat was led astray by Ahab’s false prophets which led to war. When he returned home from battle, he was reprimanded by a prophet of the LORD for his collaboration with Ahab which displeased Him. Like Jehoshaphat, this nation has listened to false prophets which have defied God and brought God’s judgment.
Jehoshaphat returned to the LORD and brought the people back to God and made reforms, appointing judges throughout the land to handle disputes and charging them to make righteous judgments and to fear the LORD. (2 Chronicles 19: 4-11) This is my prayer for our nation—that we will turn back to God and that justice will prevail.
May we pray and seek the LORD as Jehoshaphat did in 2 Chronicles 20. He called the people together and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. They gathered themselves together to ask the help of the LORD. Jehoshaphat prayed: “O LORD God of our fathers in heaven that rules over all the kingdoms of the heathen with power and might. You are God who drives out the evil inhabitants of the land and when evil comes upon us—the sword, judgment, pestilence, and famine we stand before Your presence and cry out in our affliction and You will hear and help. Oh our God, judge the evil ones as we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon You for the battle is not ours, but God’s. We will not have to fight in this battle. Help us to stand still and see the salvation of the LORD. Help us not to fear or be dismayed for You are with us.” May this be our prayer as we face the evil of our day in this nation!
It is time for us to bow our face to the ground and worship the LORD as Jehoshaphat and His people did! May we embrace Jehoshaphat’s message to the people: “Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper. Praise the LORD for His mercy endureth for ever.”