I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Chronicles 19-22.

Again today I read something I do not think I ever noticed before.  A prophet of the Lord confronted Jehoshaphat for his friendship with King Ahab of Israel.  Jehoshaphat allied with and helped Ahab in his wars despite Ahab’s idolatry and sin. I believe that God’s anger with Jehoshaphat had as much, or more ,to do with Jehoshaphat arranging for his son to marry Ahab’s daughter than with Jehoshaphat aiding Ahab in his war(s).  Despite his alliance with Ahab, Jehoshaphat was a good king in many ways.  In yesterday’s passage, it tells us that Jehoshaphat sent officials out to all of the towns under his control to teach the people.  It does not specify what they taught the people, except to mention that they took copies of the Book of the Law with them.  I believe that he had them teach the people to read and write so that they could read the Book of the Law for themselves.   In today’s passage we learn that not only did Jehoshaphat send officials out from Jerusalem among the people, he went among them himself.  This puts his instructions to the judges he appointed in a clear light.  He told the judges to rule so as to please God rather than people.  Jehoshaphat instructed them to judge with integrity because God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.  These are instructions to which many judges and other government officials today should pay more careful heed.  For that matter, any of us in positions of authority within any organization should pay heed to these instructions. 

For most of Jehoshaphat’s reign the surrounding countries  refrained from making war against Judah.  However, late in Jehoshaphat’s reign several of the neighboring nations joined together to make war against Judah.  Jehoshaphat did what all of us should do when faced with a problem. especially great danger.  He turned to God for guidance.  And since this was a problem for the whole nation, he called on all of the people to fast and pray.  God’s answer to Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah is one for all of us who seek His Name.  The battle is God’s not ours.  We should be prepared to fight against those who oppose God’s will, but remember that victory will not come through our efforts but through God’s action.   The army of Judah marched out to face the enemy singing and praising God, knowing that the enemy army was more than they could defeat.  Yet they were confident that God would give them the victory.  Before they were able to engage their enemies, their enemies turned on each other and destroyed themselves.  As we watch the forces which seek to destroy God’s presence in our society today, let us turn to god and pray.  If we do so and fully seek to do God’s will ourselves, we will witness them turn on and destroy each other.