Jehoshaphat

THEME: Do not be unequally yoked.

LESSON: Compromise could have disastrous effects.

KEY VERSE: "Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab" (2 Chr. 18:1).

VERSE TO REMEMBER: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14).

TRACK RECORD: Among the king's many accomplishments, Jehoshaphat sought to follow the Lord (2 Chr. 17:4); removed the pagan high places (v.6); had the Law of God taught to the towns of Judah (vv. 7-10); and appointed Levites and priests to administer the Law (19:8). However, for unexplained reasons, he aligned himself with vile King Ahab of the Northern Kingdom and his wife Jezebel. Worst of all, he accepted Ahab's daughter, Athaliah, as a wife for his son Jehoram, an alliance that would bring deadly consequences.

Even though Jehoshaphat served God to the end of his life, his lack of judgment and propensity for compromise stained his otherwise glorious reign.

APPLICATION: As Christians, we must bring every aspect of our lives under God's control and authority. Otherwise, we can hinder our walk greatly and suffer consequences God never intended for us to experience.

SPIRITUAL EPITAPH: "And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? Therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord" (2 Chr. 19:2).