A BAD ALLIANCE. 2nd Chronicles 18 The author of the Chronicles likely included this event in Jehoshaphat's life and reign to demonstrate to his audience the serious consequences of unequal yokes and the importance of listening to those who have been tested and proven in serving God. Some individuals rise to leadership, even as spiritual advisors, but are false prophets and teachers. They seek to elevate themselves as qualified leaders at the expense of those who genuinely care for God's people. To recognize such individuals, we must read the scriptures ourselves and "try the spirits," test the teachings by what we know to be right. Additionally, discernment is crucial, and that requires time and careful observation to determine whether someone has the right motives behind their words and the proper qualifications from God, not just from men.
Jehoshaphat was devoted to God and carried out His will in many of his actions. He was successful during his reign; however, he allowed his son Jehoram to marry Ahab's daughter, Athaliah, who was as wicked as her parents. He also failed to consider the long-term consequences of some decisions he made. Forming an alliance with Israel’s deceitful and evil king Ahab led to terrible repercussions. When his son married Ahab’s wicked daughter, Athaliah, to strengthen the alliance, he paved the way for an evil woman to rise to high positions of power in Judah. When believers and unbelievers join together in any form of alliance or yoke, it inevitably compromises the believer's values and harms their spiritual life as a result. In every decision we make, we must weigh both the potential benefits and the possible negative outcomes. We know that an "unequal yoke" leads to harmful results. God cannot be to us as a Father nor deal with us as sons and daughters when we enter into such yokes. A good man can do wrong. Being tolerant and "mend fences," mixing good and evil, always leads to evil. There was no need for this alliance. Jehoshaphat had "riches and honor"; he did not need "affinity" with Ahab. The choice Jehoshaphat made to form this unequal yoke led to a series of similar decisions that ultimately caused God's people to fall into captivity. Jehoshaphat nearly lost his life; Jehu later rebuked him; a business venture failed, and a murderous son almost wiped out his family. It is a principle: serious consequences follow bad choices. This evil alliance brought God's wrath on Jehoshaphat, Ahab, and the next generation. One wicked woman in a marriage of compromise brought evil upon the entire nation. The wicked daughter-in-law brought her evil practices of Israel into Judah when she married, and she even briefly seized the throne of the nation. One good man's poor choice led to many terrible results. "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." Ezra didn't write much about Ahab and his actions as seen in the Book of Kings. Instead, he warns against the dangers of associating with those who oppose following the Lord and those who love and serve Him. The influence of moral and spiritual darkness can lead to the compromise of truth through deception. Making a decision to act before seeking God's guidance is a poor choice. The ambitions of the ungodly differ greatly from the blessings that believers seek for God's people. True faith, unlike man-made religion, often seems weak to outsiders and should not be ignored. Facing such pressure, especially from evil leaders who seek to do their own thing, requires strong personal courage and a deep trust in God. Confronting a godly king who tries to help an ungodly ruler achieve his goals and telling him to go home requires divine boldness. It is always wrong for believers to help the ungodly chase wicked aims. Small hints that are followed can lead to serious results. "Keep thy heart with all diligence..." Seeking the Lord is always vital for a believer. Receiving a biblical answer from the Lord and acting on it is even more essential. We can be caught off guard by flattery, temptation, trickery, or the influence of the world. However, when we feel uneasy about a matter, we should not proceed. When our conscience is troubled, we should hold back. If we sense we're rushing into something, we should pause. If we have doubts about the outcome of an action, we should stop. Loving God means not only asking for guidance but also following it when given. Micaiah told Jehoshaphat to go home, and he should have obeyed. Instead, he compromised and stayed. Micaiah must have been in prison because when he gave his prophecy of defeat and Ahab’s death, Ahab said, “Send him back... give him nothing but bread and water.” Facing all the forces of darkness could have been very intimidating for Micaiah, but when he was called from prison and told what to say, he did so, yet with a mocking tone and a certain sarcasm that was clear even to Ahab. Micaiah’s mocking words and tone were not lies but aimed to awaken listeners to what was real and what would happen. "For this cause, God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie..." Four hundred false prophets, who conspire to deceive a king to serve their own interests, present a significant challenge, even if you stay faithful to God. False prophets tell people what they want to hear and become wealthy in the process. A lying spirit is often the key to success in the worldly system. Lying to make oneself look good does not help avoid negative consequences. Misleading God's people is a serious offense against Him. Misleading prophecies come from Satan, who is a deceiver and a liar, and he uses those who speak for him to intentionally mislead others with dark agendas for their own gain. God used the false prophets' lying predictions to bring judgment on Ahab. The truth is often unwelcome when it condemns us. Obeying God may cause anger and difficult outcomes, but it remains the right thing to do. Being mocked for honesty is a good indicator that you are doing what is right. Advisers who seek to please you can be a danger rather than a help. There comes a point in some people's lives when they have gone too far to be recovered. When true prophecy (the accurate word of God) is rejected because it conflicts with our desires and condemns us, we are in danger of having gone too far. When the message and the messenger are rejected, we risk crossing a line. Others may try to undermine or belittle the truth, but truth does not change or bend to fit human will. Ahab, although angry about Micaiah's prophecy, feared it might be true. Micaiah spoke the truth and was imprisoned again because of his faithfulness, but he was willing to pay the price of being faithful because he loved and feared God. Ahab disguised himself and used Jehoshaphat as a target by having him dress in his clothes. Meanwhile, Ahab died from an arrow shot by someone who drew "a bow at a venture" (Naaman, according to the Targum). To us, that might seem like a chance shot, but to God, it was the result of consequences following ongoing evil. How God chooses to fulfill His purposes is suited to the time, place, and people involved.
Foolishly, Jehoshaphat went along with the cowardly deception, but divine intervention saved his life. He called out in faith, and God rescued him. What God intends will be accomplished. He delivered Jehoshaphat, who generally wanted to do God’s will, but failed when he became yoked to an unbeliever. Even when we fail and face difficult times, we can still call upon God. God's deceived servant was spared by His grace. Ahab died in his own deception because even deception cannot alter God's plans.
An Unholy Alliance. It may seem practical to plan and do what feels right to you, but it is wiser to pray instead and take the time to seek God’s light. Even though God has led us so far, tomorrow is a new day. It is important to remember how He guides us in a biblical way. Plans made by sorrowful men can easily be driven by hidden pride. Our hearts and those of others are so deceitful that we think we’re doing right based on how we feel inside. However, we must remember that principles guide our actions according to God’s Word. So, before we act, we should always let the Spirit of God lead us as He would.
To some, along with those whose actions demonstrate that they disregard the Word of God, and who believe we can unite these divergent factions in an alliance without the Lord, only brings trouble that will affect everyone. Because light and dark are not a good mix—put together, they’re like nightfall—and twilight is something men cannot fix. A person might think this makes sense—to plan for the future after we are gone. However, interfering with what is to come can easily lead us astray and cause us to do wrong. We may not see the full effect of our actions, but our children will. The best we can do is teach them to respect what God says is right and to uphold it.