2 Chronicles 18:1

2 Chronicles 18:1 says, Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.  Jehoshaphat had many riches and a lot of honor among the people, and he joined in an alliance with Ahab, a very bad king of Israel.  Matthew Henry says this presents Ahab in a better light than anywhere else in the Bible and that it is the one blemish on Jehosaphat's record that he entered into an alliance with such a bad man.  If people who call themselves Christians today do things that go against God's law, especially if they claim there is another way to salvation other than through faith in Jesus Christ, we do not need to join with them.  Verse two adds,  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 Ramothgilead.  Jehosaphat went to Samaria after several years to see Ahab, and Ahab put on a feast for him and those with him.  He was seemingly at peace with Judah, and people who are outside of God's will, may still try to entice us to enter into an alliance with them.  Verse three continues, And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war. Then, Ahab asked Jehosaphat to join him in war to recover Ramoth-Gilead.  We would think that God's people working together to reclaim something that has been lost by the church would be a good thing, but we need to first make sure that it is something that God leads us to do.  Jehoshaphat said that he was with Ahab and that his people were as Ahab's people, but they really weren't.  The people of Israel were following false god's under Ahab's rule.  They all needed to be under the leadership of God alone to be God's people and as one in the world.  Verse four states, And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.  To his credit, Jehosaphat asked that Ahab inquire of God what they should do.  This should always be our first step in doing anything.  We should inquire of God whether He would have us do it or not.  Verse five adds, Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.  Ahab gathered four hundred prophets to inquire whether they should go to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead, and they said go.  The only problem was these were not prophets of God.  There are still people today who claim to have some new revelation from God and who would lead Christians way from God's will if they joined with them.  Verse six continues, But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him?  Again, to his credit, even though four hundred prophets had said go, Jehosaphat asked if there was not a prophet of God that they might ask as well.  No matter how many people may claim something is being done in the name of God, that doesn't mean it is necessarily true.  As followers of Christ, we need to always make sure we are following God's will, and I believe the Holy Spirit will always guide us to the truth, if we rely on Him.  Verse seven states, And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.  Ahab said there was yet one man who could prophesy of God, but he hated him because he never said what Ahab wanted him to say.  People of the world still hate what Christians have to say if it goes against their desires.  Jehoshaphat didn't let that stop him but told Ahab to send for him.  We need to always seek someone that we know is speaking the truth of God when we are trying to decide what we need to do and want advice from some other person who also follows God.  Verse eight adds, And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.  This prophet of God was in prison because he would not prophesy what Ahab wanted.  There may come a time in America as it already is in many countries when proclaiming the truth of God will cause us to be imprisoned, but we can't allow that to stop us from doing so.  Ahab sent guards to bring Micaiah to them.

2 Chronicles 17:10

2 Chronicles 17:10 says, And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.  All the people around Judah were afraid of the power of God so they didn't go to war against Jehoshaphat.  They didn't put their faith in God, but they recognized His power.  There are still people who do not put their faith in God, but are afraid to act against Him because they fear his power.  This may be a good thing, but we want people to put their faith in Jesus Christ because they recognize that only He can redeem them, and not to just be afraid of God.  Verse eleven adds, Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.  The Philistines and the Arabians who had nearly always been at war with Judah even brought Jehoshaphat gifts and tribute.  Verse twelve continues, And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.  During this time, Jehoshaphat became great, building castles and storage cities.  This was all because he was obedient to God, and if we as Christians would be great spiritually today, it can only happen because we are obedient to God.  Verse thirteen concludes, And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. Business was good throughout Judah and the mighty men of war were in Jerusalem.  Whether business is good or not, we need mighty men and women of God throughout the world today to share the gospel of Christ, and not just to go to war.  Verse fourteen states, And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.  The next several verses simply give us the numbers of the people by house, or family, starting with those who were from the tribe of Judah.  Verse fifteen adds, And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.  Verse sixteen continues. And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.  Verse seventeen says, And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.  Then we have those from the house of Benjamen.  Verse eighteen adds, And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.  Verse seventeen continues, These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.  These were all near Jehoshaphat to wait on him, and there were even more in the other cities.  We as Christians may be scattered throughout the world, but we are all a part of the same family of God and are called to serve and witness for Him and to help on another.

2 Chronicles 17:1

2 Chronicles 17:1 says, And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.  After Asa died, his son Jehoshaphat became king of Judah.  It says he strengthened himself against Israel.  When we have a change in the leadership in the church, which should be by God's direction, we need to strengthen ourselves against the enemies of God, but hopefully we won't be at war with other Christians.  Verse two adds, And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.  Jehoshaphat stationed troops throughout Judah, including in the cities of Ephraim that Asa had taken from Israel.  We need to do all that we can to strengthen churches throughout the world today and not just put our time and effort into our local congregation.  Verse three continues, And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;  God was with Jehoshaphat because he followed Him like David had done and didn't worship false gods, with Baalim being mentioned in particular.  We need to follow God like those Christians who have gone before us and not be led away from Him by any false god, and when we do, He will bless us spiritually.  Verse four states, But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.  Jehoshaphat followed the Lord God of his father and didn't follow what are called the doings of Israel, which would have been based on the worship of idols.  These were all God's chosen people, and some were following Him, and some were rebelling against Him.  As Christians, we need to be like the people of Judah in that day and not like the people of Israel.  Verse five continues, Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.  God blessed Jehoshaphat and all of Judah brought him presents, so he had riches and honor.  We don't serve God for material wealth, but if we are faithful to Him, He will give us spiritual wealth, which has nothing to do with material things but with an everlasting relationship with Him.  Verse six continues, And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.  Jehoshaphat went even further in removing any worship practice that wasn't in accordance with God's law, removing the high places and groves.  These were places where idols were worshipped according to Matthew Henry.  We need to remove anything from the church today that becomes more important than the worship of God in accordance with His word.  Verse seven says, Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.  Jehoshaphat also sent out people to teach about God in the cities of Judah, and we as followers of Christ today need to send out teachers into the world, but into the church in particular.  We need to make sure that what we are doing is based on the word of God.  Verse eight adds, And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.  He sent the Levites, those who served in the church doing the necessary work, and we still need people supporting those who are preaching and teaching today.  Verse nine continues, 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.  Those sent by Jehosaphat to the cities of Judah taught God's word, and that is what we must do today.

2 Chronicles 16:7

2 Chronicles 16:7 says, And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.  Hanani, who was said to be a seer of God, came to Asa and told him that since he had relied on the king of Syria and not God for help and protection, that the army of Syria had escaped out of his hand.  We should never put more faith in anyone or anything that we do in God, and if we do, the spiritual victory will slip out of our hands.  Verse eight adds, Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand.  Hanani reminded Asa of his victory over great forces because he relied on God, with the implication being that he should have done so again.  As followers of Christ, we should be able to look back on our lives and see when God has given us victory and put our faith in Him to always do so.  Verse nine continues, For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.  Hanani said that God watches over the whole world to show Himself strong to those whose heart is perfect before him.  Our heart can only be made perfect before God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ and living under the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit.  Hanani also said that since Asa had acted foolishly by relying on the king of Syria instead of God that he was always going to have a war to fight.  If we are not at peace in the world today as Christians, it may be that we are looking to someone or something other than God to bring us peace.  Verse ten states, Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.  Instead of listening to Hanani and repenting, Asa got mad and put him in prison and even oppressed some of the people of Judah.  If we are outside of God's will as Christians, if He sends someone with a message to correct us, we certainly cannot afford to get angry with them.  Verse eleven adds, And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.  We are told that all the acts of Asa, from first to last, were written in the books of the kings of Judah and Israel.  We have some of his acts preserved for us today, but not everything.  The important thing was always his obedience to God, which is what led him to success. People do not need to know everything we have done in life, but they do need to know what God has done through us so that He might be glorified.  Verse twelve continues, And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.  In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa had a disease in his feet.  He did not seek God to heal him but sought the physicians.  We can only find spiritual healing through putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and we should also acknowledge that physical healing comes from God as well, even if He works through the medical profession to bring it about.  Verse thirteen says, And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.  Asa reigned for two more years, during which time I believe he still had the affliction in his feet, and then he died.  We may suffer unnecessarily because of a lack of faith, but one thing we can be certain of is that we like Asa will one day die, if Jesus Christ doesn't return first.  Verse fourteen adds, And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.  Asa had a great funeral, but that really didn't matter.  What is done with this old body once we die is really of no importance.  It is only our relationship with Jesus Christ when we die that matters.

2 Chronicles 16:1

2 Chronicles 16:1 says, In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.  After Asa had reigned thirty-six years, Baasha king of Israel came against him.  Matthew Henry says this was likely the thirty-sixth year of the existence of Judah as a separate kingdom, since we are told elsewhere that Baasha died in the twenty-sixth year of Asa's reign, but it adds up correctly from the beginning of the split between Judah and Israel.  This was some of God's chosen people fighting against others of God's chosen people, and we as Christians, God's chosen people today, should never be guilty of doing the same thing.  Baasha built Ramah to try to keep anyone from going to and from Asa.  We as followers of Christ certainly should never attempt to keep others from coming to Him.  Verse two adds, Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,  Asa then sent the treasures from the house of the Lord to Benhadad, King of Syria.  We also should never attempt to buy the protection of the world with the things of God.  Verse three continues, There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. Asa asked Benhadad to break the league he had made with Baasha and remember the one that his father had with Asa's father.  He also said he had sent the silver and gold to show that he supported Benhadad.  We need to pray that we never have to make a pact with non-Christians, especially to the point of giving them things that are dedicated to God, to keep from being destroyed by others who profess to be Christians.  We need to be united in our battle with the world and not fighting each other.  Verse four states, And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.  Benhadad agreed to join with Asa and sent his armies against Israel and defeated several of their cities.  We need to rely on God alone to give us victory in the world, and I believe if Asa had called on God that God would have given him the victory if that was God's will, and if it weren't, it would have been a hollow victory.  If we compromise with the world to gain success instead of relying on God, our success will be hollow.  Verse five adds, And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.  When Baasha heard what was happening, he stopped his work on building Ramah.  Asa had won the victory with the help of Benhadad, but he had given away the gold and silver that belonged to God.  We should never give the things of God to those who aren't His people in order to gain victory over others who are a part of God's people, and both Judah and Israel were still a part of God's chosen people.  Verse six continues, Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.  Asa took the stones and timbers intended to be used to build Ramah and built Geba and Mizpah.  He was profiting materially by his alliance with Benhadad, but he had given away the treasures of God from the temple.  We may profit materially from an alliance with the people of the world against our fellow believers, but we will never profit spiritually.

2 Chronicles 15:9

2 Chronicles 15:9 says, And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.  With his reformation of Judah to worshipping God alone, other people began to come to Judah, from the other tribes of Israel.  They did this because they saw that God was with Asa.  We as individual Christians and as a nation should draw people to God because they see evidence that He is with us.  Verse ten adds, So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.  In the fifteenth year of Asa's reign, the people gathered at Jerusalem.  It had taken a while for them to get to this point, and if we stray away from God, it may take us a while to get back, but when we do, we need to celebrate the fact that we have.  Verse eleven continues, And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.  The people then offered and offering to God from the spoils of war that they had taken.  We need to offer sacrifices to God from all that He blesses us with today.  Verse twelve states, And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;  They also entered ino a covenant relationship with God to seek Him with all their hearts and souls.  He was called the God of their fathers, but once they entered into a covenant relationship with Him, He was no longer just the God of their fathers.  He was their God.  We cannot be a part of the family of God simply because our parents were but must enter into a personal covenant relationship with Him by putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse eleven adds, That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.  Anyone not seeking God, whether a great person or a little known one, was to be put to death.  Though this might be a great motivator for people to at least say they are a Christian, it still wouldn't make them one.  We are not called on to kill nonbelievers, but to share the gospel with them as we reach out to them with the love of God.  Verse fourteen continues, And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.  They cried out to God as a group with shouting and trumpets and cornets.  We need to shout out to God and worship Him with music and songs today as well.  Verse fifteen says, And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.  When the people sincerely sought God and swore their allegiance to Him, He was found and gave them rest.  God never hides, but He actually seeks us.  If we put our faith in Him, He will give us rest spiritually, no matter what is going on in the world.  Verse sixteen adds, And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.  Asa also removed his mother from being queen, because she was still worshipping an idol.  He then destroyed the idol and the grove dedicated to it.  When we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we must destroy all the idols in our lives if we are going to serve Him effectively and we can never allow anyone, even our parents, to lead us to worship any other god.  Verse eighteen continues, But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.   Still, Asa did not remove the high places of worship, though we are told that his heart was perfect all his days.  We must remove everything that would lead us away from worshipping God as His word tells us to.  Verse eighteen states. And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.  Asa also brought the things that had been dedicated to the temple back into the temple and dedicated some more himself.  We should never attempt to take back anything that we have dedicated to God but must allow it to be used as He sees fit.  Verse nineteen adds, And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.  For the next twenty years of Asa's reign, God gave them peace.  As Christians, we should be at peace spiritually for the rest of our lives, and if we are obedient to God, we will be,

2 Chronicles 15:1

2 Chronicles 15:1 says, And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:  We are told that the Spirit of God came upon Azariah, but we as followers of Christ have the Holy Spirit to guide us in all that we do, if we only listen.  Still, at times we may be more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence urging us to act.  Verse two adds, And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.  Azariah came with a warning from God to Asa and all the people of Judah and Benjamin.  God would be with them as long as they were faithful to Him, and if they sought Him, He could be found.  Though the Holy Spirit is with us at all times, we still need to be faithful to God and seek His leadership.  God does not force anyone to obey Him, even those who are followers of Christ.  He also warned them that if they forsook God, He would forsake them.  Though as Christians we are forever saved, if we forsake doing God's will in our lives, He will forsake blessing us.  Verse three continues, Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.  Azariah said that the people of Israel had gone a long time without a true God and a teaching priest and without the law of God.  As a nation, we cannot afford to go for a long time without acknowledging God and still expect Him to bless us, nor can we as individuals.  We also, as a priesthood of believers, need to be teaching the world about God and strengthening each other in our faith.  Verse four states, But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.  Azariah said that even though the people of Israel didn't have a teaching priesthood or maybe even a strong belief in God, that when they were in trouble, they turned to Him and He was found.  Too often, we only look to God when we are in trouble, and we are in trouble because we didn't look to God in the first place.  Verse five adds, And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.  Azariah said that there was no peace for the people when they failed to look to God.  We as Christians can have no spiritual peace if we fail to look to God in faith and obedience.  Verse six continues, And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.  Azariah said that the nation if Israel was destroyed by other nations, city by city, because God vexed them with adversity.  As a nation if we do not follow the leadership of God we can still expect to find problems and a lack of peace.  Verse seven says, Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.  Azariah called on the people of Judah and Benjamin to be strong in the Lord I believe, and to not let their hands be weak.  We need to be strong in the Lord today and not let our hands be weak in doing His work, not that we are doing so for reward, but because we are doing so to bring honor and glory to God.  Verse eight adds, And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.  When Asa heard these things, he took action by putting away the abominable idols and restoring the altar of God.  As followers of Christ, we need to continually put away the idols in our lives and worship only God.