2 Chronicles 21:12

2 Chronicles 21:12 says, And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,  Jehoram received a written message from Elijah telling him what God said.  He started by saying that Jehoram had not walked in the ways of his father Jehoshaphat or King Asa.  If we are going against God today, we will only have the written message of the Bible to call us to repentance most likely.  Though God could still work through His people to send us a written message, it will be nothing that the Bible doesn't already tell us, and I really don't know of a time when He ever has.  Verse thirteen adds, But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:  Elijah then told Jehoram that God said that he had walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, who had turned to idol worship, and that he had led all of Judah to do so as well.  He had followed Ahab's ways instead of God's ways.  Elijah also reminded Jehoram that he had killed his brothers, who were better men than he was.  We can never follow the teachings of the world and be successful spiritually, even if we do remain one of God's children by our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse fourteen continues, Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:  Elijah told Jehoram that because of his disobedience to God and the people of Judah following him in it, that God was going to send a plague on them.  Our disobedience of God will always bring consequences.  Though we are forever saved as followers of Christ, we are not given a license to sin without facing any consequences.  Verse fifteen concludes, And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.  Elijah then turned to God's judgment of Jehoram himself.  The people were to be punished for their sins and Jehoram was to be punished for his.  We will never be punished for someone else's sins, nor they for ours.  Elijah said God had said Jehoram was going to get a disease of his bowels until they fell out.  I don't know what this disease was, only that it was sent by God in judgment of Jehoram.  Those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord will suffer an even greater punishment, and that is everlasting separation from God.  Verse sixteen states, Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:  God then stirred up the Philistines and the Arabians against Jehoram and Judah.  I don't really believe that God causes Christians to be punished by other people, but He can allow it if we rebel against Him.  Verse seventeen adds, And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.  The Philistines took away all of Jehoram's treasures, his wives, and all his sons except one, Jehoahaz.  When God's judgment comes, those who have put their faith in the things of this world and denied God they will lose everything.  Verse eighteen continues, And after all this the Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.  God's word came true, and Ahab was struck with an incurable disease of the bowels.  We have been struck with an incurable disease of sin unless we put our faith in Jesus Christ for the cure and we will lose everything if we don't turn to Him by faith.  We cannot be healed any other way.  Verse nineteen says, And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.  It took two years of suffering for Jehoram to die.  We may never suffer in this life in such a manner because of our sins, but we will suffer forever when God's judgment comes if we never accept His salvation through putting our faith in Jesus Christ.  Jehoram was not buried the same way as the other kings of Judah were.  Verse twenty adds, Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.  Jehoram ruled for eight years, but the last two were when he was suffering great pain.  He was buried in Jerusalem when he died, but not in the sepulchers of the Kings.  It is not where we are buried that is important, but where we will live forever.  We cannot live with those Christians who have gone before us if we are not born-again Christians.

2 Chronicles 21:7

2 Chronicles 21:7 says, Howbeit the Lord would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.  God would not totally destroy the house of David because of His promise to David, and that promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  He is a descendant of David and is forever on the throne.  Verse eight adds, In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.  During Jehoram's reign the Edomites revolted against him and declared their own king.  People are still revolting against God, which is not to claim that Jehoram was anywhere near to being God.  People also still rebel against earthly rulers if things get bad enough.  Verse nine continues, Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.  Jehoram attempted to put the uprising down by going against them at night.  As far as those who go against God, He will ultimately put down their rebellion by shining the Light, Jesus Christ, on them.  Those who rebel against earthly rulers will often find their rebellion unsuccessful.  Verse ten states, So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.  Though Jehoram had put the rebellion down somewhat, the Edomites continued to rebel and others joined in the rebellion.  Continuing to equate this with those who rebel against God. there will always be people who rebel against God, but they have already been put down. Verse eleven adds, Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.  Jehoram not only rebelled against God, but he forced Israel to do so as well, partly by worshipping in the high places.  No one can force us to worship anyone but God, but they can make it easy to do so or a threat if we don't.  Still, the decision is always ours to make, just as it was for the people of Judah.   

2 Chronicles 21:1

2 Chronicles 21:1 says, Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.  Jehoshaphat died and was buried with his ancestors just as we will all one day die if Jesus Christ doesn't return first.  Jehoram his son replaced him as king, and someone will take our place in the church today after we die.  Verse two adds, And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.  Jehoram had several brothers, but there could only be one king.  We as followers of Christ are said to be His brothers and sisters, but He is the only King.  We will never be equals to God but even if we are called the children of God as Christians, we will also always be His servants.  Verse three continues, And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.  The other sons of Jehoshaphat had been given great gifts, but the kingdom was given to Jehoram as the first born.  God may give us great gifts as Christians today, but the kingdom will always belong to Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.  Verse four states, Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.  When Jehoram had established himself in power, he killed all his brothers and several other princes throughout Judah.  We are not told that they attempted to take the throne from him, but he just had them killed out of fear they might.  We should not be surprised if people of the world today attempt to kill Christians, not because we have threatened them but simply because they are afraid that we are somehow going to be a threat to them.  Vere five adds, Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.  Jehoram was thirty-two when he became king, and he ruled for eight years.  He did not have a long reign even though he had all those he feared would be a threat to him killed.  No matter how long people who do not put their faith in God may be in power, their rule will be short from the eternal perspective, but Jesus Christ will reign forever.  Verse six continues, And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord.  Jehoram was married to one of Ahab's daughters and he followed the ways of Ahab instead of the ways of God.  Sometimes, Christians will marry non-Christians and begin to follow their beliefs, but we should never allow this to happen.  If we as followers of Christ do marry a non-Christian, we need o stand firm in our belief in God and follow His word.  We can never compromise and be successful in our spiritual life.

2 Chronicles 20:26

 2 Chronicles 20:26 says, And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.  After three days of gathering the spoils of war, the people of Judah gathered in the valley of Berachah on the fourth day and blessed, or I believe praised the Lord.  If we have been blessed by God, we should never get so caught up in the blessings that we forget to give God thanks and praise.  Verse twenty-seven adds, Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.  Then they all returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, rejoicing that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies.  We need preachers leading us in rejoicing that God has given us victory over our enemies today, and we need to join in rejoicing with them.  Verse twenty-eight continues, And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.  They came playing many different music instruments, and we need to praise God with music as well today.  Verse twenty-nine states, And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.  The fear of God was on all the countries around them.  There are many countries today who not only don't fear God, but they stand in open defiance against Him, but one day, they will learn how wrong they were.  We are not to serve God out of fear, but out of knowing that He loves us enough that He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for us.  Verse thirty adds, So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.  The realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet because God gave him rest.  God has already given Christians the victory today, so our lives should be lived quietly at rest in Him, no matter what is going on in the world.  Verse thirty-one continues, And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.  Jehoshaphat reigned for twenty-five years.  Verse thirty-two says, And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord.  Jehoshaphat walked in the ways of God as Asa his father had done, not departing from it.  We also need to walk in the ways of God, as Christians before us did, not departing from His truth.  Verse thirty-three adds, Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.  Still, he didn't take away the high places, we are told because the people hadn't prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.  We may be close to being spiritually correct today, but if anything, outside of God's will has been allowed into the church, we need to be prepared in our hearts to get rid of it.  Verse thirty-four continues, Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.  As with other kings of Israel and Judah, we are told that the rest of his acts are written in a book, this one another one that that we don't have, but we do have all that we need to know in the Bible.  People can never know everything about God in this lifetime, but we have a record of all that we need to know recorded in the Bible and preserved by God.  Verse thirty-five states, And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:  Once more, Jehoshaphat joined in a pact with the king of Israel, this time with Ahaziah, who was said to have done very wickedly.  We may want to be united with others who profess to be Christians, but if they are doing things that go against God's word, we need to stay apart from them.  Some religions sound good, but if they do not acknowledge God for Who He really is or change Who Jesus Christ is, we should never join with them.  Verse thirty-six adds, And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.  Jehoshaphat joined in this pact with Ahaziah to send ships to trade with other people.  I don't know if he was just looking for greater riches or what, but it seems he didn't ask God about this first.  Even if someone is promising us riches today, we should never join them just for earthly riches.  We need to always seek God's will first, and then do everything in accordance with His will.  Verse thirty-seven continues, Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.  Eliezar a prophet of God came to Jehoshaphat and told him that since he had joined with Ahaziah that God had broken his works and the ships were broken.  God is never going to bless anything that is not done in accordance with His word and under His leadership, even if we prosper in the world.  All that we do outside of God's will ultimately will be destroyed.

2 Chronicles 20:14

2 Chronicles 20:14 says, Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation;  The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel when he was in the midst of the congregation.  When we as Christians are gathered to worship God, we need the Holy Spirit to guide each of us so that collectively we may worship God.  Verse fifteen adds, And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.  Jahaziel told them to not be dismayed, or feel overwhelmed I believe, but seeing the large host against them, because the battle wasn't theirs, but God's.  Sometimes, we as Christians may feel that we might as well give up the fight because those who stand against us are so numerus, but it is God Who fights for us, and He has already won the victory.  Verse sixteen continues, To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.  Jehaziel then told them tomorrow to go fight and he even told them where they would find the enemy.  If we are listening, God will tell us where danger lies, but we still must go where He sends us even if we think it is dangerous.  Verse seventeen concludes, Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.  He then told them that they wouldn't even have to engage in battle, but to just go and stand where God said they should be and that God would be with them.  We are not going to defeat Satan and his forces by our own power and abilities, but we are just to go where God sends us and put our faith in Him, because the victory is His, no matter what happens in this life.  Verse eighteen states, And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.  Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah humbled themselves before God in worship.  We as followers of Christ need to daily humble ourselves before God and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit in whatever we are doing.  Verse nineteen adds, And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.  The Levites, those who did God's work in the temple and the congregation, stood and praised God.  We need those who are leaders in the church today to stand and praise God when we gather to worship Him, and we need to join them in doing so.  Verse twenty continues, And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.  The next morning, they went to where Jahaziel had said God wanted them to be.  It is a good thing for Christians to gather to worship God, but it is even more important that we then go out into the world and do what He call us to do.  If we do, we will prosper spiritually.  Verse twenty-one concludes, And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.  Jehosaphat then appointed singers to sing praises to God as they went.  We need to always let the world know that we as Christians are simply servants of God and to sing His praises in the world.  Verse twenty-two says, And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.  While the people of Judah were singing praises to God, He was destroying their enemies.  If we live by faith in God and give Hime the praise, He is always going to destroy our spiritual enemies.  Verse twenty-three adds, For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.  Those who would destroy Judah ended up destroying each other as the people of Judah looked on.  God had defeated them as he had promised, and He has defeated all Who would stand against Him today.  Verse thirty-four continues, And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.  When the people of Judah got to the watchtowers, all they saw was dead bodies.  As followers of Christ, when we look out at the world today, we need to realize that spiritually all our enemies have already been destroyed.  Verse twenty-five concludes, And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.  All that was left for the people of Judah to do was claim the spoils of war, and it took them three days to do so.  We have already claimed the spoils of the war between God and evil if we are Christians, and that is everlasting life.  We need to live in victory, not for material possessions, but for God's glory.

2 Chronicles 20:1

Somehow, I failed to post anything yesterday, o I am going to post twice today. 

2 Chronicles 20:1 says, It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.  After Jehosaphat had been setting up the kingdom of Judah in accordance with God's word, he had a large force come against him.  When we are doing God's work today, we may often find ourselves being attacked by the people of the world who want nothing to do with God.  Verse two adds, Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.  Jehoshaphat received word of the army coming against him, and I believe that God will always let us know when we are in spiritual danger, even if no one else does.  Verse three continues, And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  Jehoshaphat became afraid and sought the Lord and also declared a fast throughout Judah.  He did not look to his army, but to God.  When we are threatened today as followers of Christ, our first action should be to pray to God for guidance and rely on the Holy Spirit to keep us safe spiritually.  Verse four states, And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.  All of Judah gathered to seek help from God.  We as Christians need to gather as a united group and seek God's protection and guidance when people of the world are gathering against us.  Verse five adds, And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,  Jehoshaphat stood before God and with the people of Judah.  It would be wonderful if we had leaders who would stand with us under the leadership of God today.  Verse six continues, And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?  Jehoshaphat asked if God was not more powerful than anyone or anything.  He also asked if any could stand against God.  We know the answer to that question, and it is that God is more powerful than anything and He is the ultimate authority over the universe.  Verse seven says, Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?  Jehosaphat then asked if God had not driven out the inhabitants of the land of Judah and given it to the seed of Abraham forever.  This promise was fulfilled when Jesus Christ died for our sins, and if we put our faith in Him as our Savior and Lord, we are a part of God's kingdom forever.  Verse eight adds, And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,  Jehoshaphat then said that the people of Judah had dwelt in the land and built a sanctuary for God's name to be glorified in.  As Christians our bodies become a sanctuary for the Holy Spirit, and we need to do all that we can to make sure that it is set aside from the world for Him.  Verse nine continues, If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.  Jehosaphat said he knew if the people stood before God's house and asked for his help when they were under attack that God would help them.  We need to always be certain that whenever we call on God as Christians, wherever we are, He will hear us.  We already have everlasting security through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse ten states, And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;  Jehoshaphat seems to be blaming God for their predicament.  He said God had not allowed them to destroy the Ammonites and Moabites when they came out of Egypt.  We are not called on to destroy the evil people in the world today, and they may one day attack us, but we cannot blame God if that happens.  We already have the everlasting victory, and that is all that matters.  Verse eleven adds, Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.  Jehosaphat said that the Ammonites and Moabites rewarded them for their having been spared destruction by coming to try and cast the people of Judah out of the Promised Land.  No matter how powerful the enemy may be, they can never cast the followers of Christ out of their heavenly home, which is our Promised Land.  Verse twelve continues, O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.  Jehoshaphat said they were helpless before the great company that was coming against them and didn't know what to do, but he asked God to judge those coming to fight Judah.  Of our own ability, we are helpless to defeat Satan and his army, but God has already done that, so all we need to do is put our faith in Him.  Verse thirteen concludes, And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.  All of Judah, from the men to their wives and children, stood before God seeking His protection.  We need the whole church today to stand before God and seek His protection as we encounter those who would destroy us, and we need to do everything for His honor and glory.

2 Chronicles 19:1

2 Chronicles 19:1 says, And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.  After Ahab was killed, Jehosaphat returned to Jerusalem in peace.  He shouldn't have been in the war to begin with.  We are to help our fellow Christians, but not if they are going against God in their actions.  Verse two adds, 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.  Jehu, Hanani's the seer's son, came to Jehoshaphat and asked if he should love those who hated God and said because he did, the wrath of God was upon him.  We have to assume that God had called Jehu, and that he didn't just assume the calling as a seer because his father had been one. We are called by God to serve in whatever capacity He calls us for and are not to serve a certain role simply because our father or mother did.  Also, we are called on to love other sinners, but to hate their actions.  I believe Jehosaphat's sin was getting involved in the sinful actions of Ahab, and not in Loving Ahab himself.  We need love sinners as Jesus Christ did, and he died for their salvation.  Verse three continues, Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.  Jehu told Jehosaphat that even though he had done wrong in helping Ahab, that he had also done good in removing the groves from Judah and had prepared his heart to seek God.  Whether we do good or bad is not going to be a balance sheet to put us in a covenant relationship with God.  Only a relationship with Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord will.  Verse four states, And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.  Jehoshaphat continued to reign in Jerusalem, but he went throughout Judah bringing people back to the Lord.  Wherever we live, we need to go out in the community and try to bring people back to God by sharing the gospel with them.  Verse five adds, And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,  Jehosaphat also set up judges in all the fenced cities.  We need to get the gospel into all the world and do our best to have those who trust in God in charge in them, though we will often fail.  We also need to pray that those in charge will be guided by God in their actions.  Verse six continues, And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.  He gave the judges a warning to judge in accordance with what God said and not what men said.  We today have the same responsibility as followers of Christ, and again need to pray that those in power will do the same thing.  Verse seven says, Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.  Jehosaphat told these judges to take heed of how they judged, because God has no iniquity in Him and He is not a respecter of people.  We will never be without having at least had sin in our lives, but we are not to be a respecter of people either when we encounter other people.  We are to share the love of God with everyone, even those who may hate us.  Verse eight adds, Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.  He placed the Levites, the priests, and the chief fathers of Israel in charge of judging for the Lord and settling controversies.  We as a part of the priesthood of believers need to always look to God for guidance if we are in a dispute with someone else.  Verse nine continues, And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.  Like Jehoshaphat said to those who were judging then, we need to faithfully do everything with respect to God's word and with a perfect heart.  This means that we are to be at peace with God because we are following His will.  Verse ten states, And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in your cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.  There was also a warning to those who were in positions to judge.  They were not to go against God in their judgments, and neither should we.  They were warned that they would have the wrath of God on them if they did, and so will we.  They were also told that if they obeyed God's word and not man's that they wouldn't trespass against God, and neither will we if we obey God's word.  If we are in a position where we have to obey God's law or man's law, we need to always obey God, even if it goes against manmade laws.  Verse eleven adds, And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.  Jehosaphat placed Amariah as the chief-priest over them in matters concerning God and Zebadiah who was referred to as the ruer of the house of Judah over the king's matters.  We as Christians have but one high-priest, and that is Jesus Christ, and we must follow His guidance through the leadership of the Holy Spirit in all that we do.  I don't believe that we can divide life into the things related to God and the secular but must treat everything in life as being devoted to God.