1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:06,120 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Well, howdy and good morning friends and faithful listeners, 2 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 1: and welcome to the Bible Explained podcast. On this a 3 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:11,680 Speaker 1: lovely New Year's Eve, we're going to be talking about 4 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:15,320 Speaker 1: a brand new chapter of the Bible, Second Chronicles seventeen 5 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:18,639 Speaker 1: and delving into a new king in Judah's history. And 6 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:22,320 Speaker 1: we'll also be discussing some of the misconceptions about God 7 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: in the Old Testament, mainly that, you know, people think 8 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:27,880 Speaker 1: that he's very mean and doesn't show up in scripture, 9 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: only shows up to like curse people. But we're going 10 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: to talk about how that's just not the case. So 11 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 1: stay tuned for a great discussion. All right, faith listeners, 12 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:44,279 Speaker 1: it is New Year's Eve, we are about to hit 13 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: a brand new year, and I'd love to hear what 14 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:51,879 Speaker 1: is your new Year's resolution. My new year's resolution is 15 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 1: the same every single year. It is to make this 16 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: year better than last year. And I've succeeded with that 17 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: resolution nine out of ten times whenever I make it. 18 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:04,400 Speaker 1: But enough about me, I'd like to hear about your 19 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:07,680 Speaker 1: new year's resolution and what you're planning on changing this year, 20 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:11,919 Speaker 1: if anything, so you can always contact me via the 21 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: the email address listed in the description of the episode, 22 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:16,920 Speaker 1: and yes, I do read my emails, so when you 23 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: email me, I will be personally reading them. But faithful listeners, 24 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,679 Speaker 1: before we get into today's episode, do me a solid 25 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 1: by listening to a quick word from one of our sponsors. 26 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 1: And now let's get into the episode. Let's go ahead 27 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: and turn two second Chronicles seventeen and we'll be reading 28 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:37,040 Speaker 1: the entire thing today, talking about a brand new king 29 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: whose name is Jehashafat. As usual, I'll be reading from 30 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:42,560 Speaker 1: the web, but feel free to grab the version of 31 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:44,960 Speaker 1: the Bible that you prefer, and also your cup of 32 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: coffee or a cup of tea this morning. And once 33 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 1: you grab those things, let's go ahead and read Second 34 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: Chronicles seventeen together. Jahasha Fat his son, reigned in his 35 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 1: place and strengthened himself against Israel. He placed forces in 36 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 1: all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in 37 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 1: the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephrieim, 38 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 1: which Asa his father had taken. Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat 39 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:09,839 Speaker 1: because he walked in the first ways of his father 40 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: David and didn't seek the bales, but sought the God 41 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 1: of his father and walked in his commandments and not 42 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: in the ways of Israel. Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom 43 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 1: in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and 44 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,800 Speaker 1: he had riches and honor in abundance. His heart was 45 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 1: lifted up in the ways of Yahweh. Furthermore, he took 46 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 1: away the high places and the ashera polls out of Judah. Also, 47 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 1: in the third year of his reign, he sent his 48 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: princes even ben Hale, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nathaniel, and Machiah to 49 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,919 Speaker 1: teach in the cities of Judah, and with them Leevites, 50 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:50,119 Speaker 1: even Shameah, Nathania, Zebediah, asse Hel, Schema, Rimath, Johonathan, Adanija, Tobaijah, 51 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 1: and tobad on Nija the Levites, and with them Alishima 52 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,400 Speaker 1: and Jehorah the priests. They taught in Judah, having the 53 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 1: book of Yahway's Law with them, they went about throughout 54 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:02,799 Speaker 1: all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. 55 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:05,639 Speaker 1: The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of 56 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:08,080 Speaker 1: the lands that were around Judah, so they made no 57 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: war against Jehoshaphat. Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents 58 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 1: and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks 59 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 1: seven thousand, seven hundred rams and seven thousand, seven hundred 60 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:25,239 Speaker 1: male goats. Jehashafat grew great exceedingly, and he built fortresses 61 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 1: and store cities in Judah. He had many works in 62 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,799 Speaker 1: the cities of Judah, and men of war, mighty men 63 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:33,679 Speaker 1: of Valor in Jerusalem. This was the numbering of them, 64 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 1: according to their father's houses. From Judah the captains of 65 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: the thousands, aDNA the Captain, and with him three hundred 66 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: thousand mighty men of Valor, and next to him Jehohannan 67 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: the Captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand, 68 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 1: next to him Amasia, the son of Zikar, who willingly 69 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 1: offered himself to Yahweh, and with him two hundred thousand 70 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 1: mighty men of Valor. From Benjamin Elieda, a mighty man 71 00:03:56,920 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: of Valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with 72 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 1: bow and shield, and next to him Jehoseah Bad and 73 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: with him one hundred and eighty thousand, ready and prepared 74 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 1: for war. These were those who waited on the king. 75 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 1: In addition to those whom the king put in fortified 76 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 1: cities throughout all Judah. It's always a fun episode when 77 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:20,280 Speaker 1: there's a lot of names because I don't know how 78 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 1: to pronounce any of the names. And you guys would 79 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:27,799 Speaker 1: be cracking up. If I played for you the unedited 80 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:29,960 Speaker 1: version of the reading I just did, you'd be laughing, 81 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:31,719 Speaker 1: which is why I'm not going to play it for you. 82 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:35,800 Speaker 1: So it says that Jehashafat his son, reigned in his 83 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:39,280 Speaker 1: place and strengthened himself against Israel. So whose son was this? Well, 84 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: this was ASA's son. We just talked about King Asa 85 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: not too long ago on Monday and how Asa was 86 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: a really good king for Judah, and he was also 87 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:51,679 Speaker 1: a relatively devout king. But towards the end of his life, 88 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 1: like the last five six years that Asa reigned, he 89 00:04:55,640 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 1: just sort of fell away from Yahweh, not fully, but 90 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,240 Speaker 1: his faith was just not a good Towards the end 91 00:05:01,279 --> 00:05:04,840 Speaker 1: of his life, Asa started making his own decisions, not 92 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: relying on Yahweh, not trusting in Yahweh, but trusting in 93 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: other people, even though these people couldn't really help Asa 94 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: at all. So Asa, of course ended up dying as 95 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 1: all men do, and it says that Jehosha Fat his son, 96 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 1: reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. So, 97 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 1: as you know, Israel and Judah were two separate nations 98 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: at this point, Asa and now Jehoshaphat were the kings 99 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:33,479 Speaker 1: of Judah. Israel was up north and they had a 100 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: whole separate king. I believe Basha was still the king 101 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 1: of Israel during this time. Now, because of the split, 102 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: Israel and Judah were always fighting with each other like 103 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 1: all the time, and actually, towards the end of ASA's life, 104 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 1: Israel actually made a move against Judah. So the first 105 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:54,599 Speaker 1: thing that Jehashafat does after his father Asa dies is 106 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:59,280 Speaker 1: he strengthened himself against Israel. He placed forces in all 107 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 1: the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the 108 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:06,040 Speaker 1: land of Judah and in the cities of Ephriam, which Asa, 109 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: his father had taken. And Jehoshaphat, now that he is king, 110 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 1: decides to strengthen those cities that his father had taken 111 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: because he didn't want Israel coming and trying to take 112 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 1: those cities back. So immediately he puts forces in all 113 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: the fortified cities and set garrisons in the land of 114 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,600 Speaker 1: Judah and the cities of Ephriam, which his father had taken. 115 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:31,360 Speaker 1: And this was probably a smart move for Jehoshaphat, considering 116 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:35,159 Speaker 1: that Israel was pretty aggressive against Judah at this point. 117 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: But it mentions in verse three that Yahweh was with 118 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 1: Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his 119 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:47,720 Speaker 1: father David and didn't seek the bales, but sought the 120 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:50,600 Speaker 1: God of his father and walked in his commandments and 121 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 1: not in the ways of Israel. God blessed Jehoshaphat because 122 00:06:55,920 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: Jehoshaphat was not walking after any other God other than Yahweh. 123 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:03,800 Speaker 1: And it actually says right here it throws shade on Israel. 124 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 1: It's like he walked in God's commandments, not in the 125 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 1: ways of Israel. As we know, Israel is going through 126 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 1: a whole mess of problems during this time as well. 127 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 1: It's actually kind of funny to read through Israel's history 128 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 1: during this time. I believe it's found in First Kings fifteen, 129 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 1: where Israel was going through like king after king after king, 130 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 1: because all the kings were just like killing each other. 131 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 1: Asa the King of Judah was king for like forty 132 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 1: one years, and during that time of ASA's reign, Israel 133 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 1: went through like six different kings. I think it was 134 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 1: because they just kept killing each other. So Israel was 135 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:45,559 Speaker 1: in a whole mess of problems going on themselves because 136 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:49,680 Speaker 1: they didn't worship Yahweh quite honestly, but Jehoshafat was not 137 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: like the kings of Israel. He sought after Yahweh is 138 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 1: what it says. Therefore, Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand. 139 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: All Judah brought tribute to Jehosha Fat, and he had 140 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:06,080 Speaker 1: riches and honor in abundance. His heart was lifted up 141 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 1: in the ways of Yahweh. Furthermore, he took away the 142 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: high places and the ashra polls out of Judah. So, 143 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 1: you know, for all of the things that we said 144 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:18,280 Speaker 1: about Asa on Monday's episode, you know how towards the 145 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 1: end of his life he kind of fell away from Yahweh. 146 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: There were so many things that he did that were 147 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 1: very good, he said to Judah, kind of on the 148 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 1: right track. Because Asa was the one who started the 149 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 1: religious reform, getting rid of all of the bales and 150 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 1: all of the altars to foreign deities, and he also 151 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 1: taught jehoshah Fat his son to do the exact same thing. 152 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:43,320 Speaker 1: And that's something else that we should kind of praise 153 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 1: Asa for was that he was a good dad. He 154 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: actually taught his son how to follow in the footsteps 155 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: of Yahweh, rather than some of these other kings were 156 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 1: going to see in the future that didn't teach their 157 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 1: kids anything, you know, in some ways, Asa was a 158 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 1: better father than David was. It actually says in scripture 159 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 1: that David never disciplined his children, never asked them why 160 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: they were doing wrong things, Like David just wasn't a 161 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:11,760 Speaker 1: good dad to them. But yet Asa, for the faults 162 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: that he had, he was a good dad and taught 163 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: his son, who he knew was going to reign after him, 164 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 1: taught him how to worship Yahweh. And so jehosh Fat 165 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 1: is continuing. It says in his father's footsteps, his heart 166 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 1: was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh. Furthermore, he 167 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 1: took away the high places and the astrapoles out of Judah. 168 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 1: Now that's the one thing about Asa that he did 169 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: not do. He did not remove the high places, and 170 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:43,319 Speaker 1: the high places were something that God never liked, whether 171 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:47,080 Speaker 1: they were for him or for other deities. God hated 172 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:50,559 Speaker 1: them regardless because they were just places of idolatry. Even 173 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:53,600 Speaker 1: if a high place was dedicated to Yahweh, it was 174 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 1: just not how worship was supposed to be done in Israel. 175 00:09:56,960 --> 00:09:59,840 Speaker 1: And so God did not like the high places. Asa 176 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:02,719 Speaker 1: removed some of the high places, the ones that were 177 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 1: for foreign idols, but he most likely did not remove 178 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 1: the high places dedicated to God. And so now Jehoshaphat 179 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: goes in and removes those high places. He removed them all, 180 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: and he removed the remaining Ashera poles out of Judah. 181 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,959 Speaker 1: So now the Ashera cult is gone for the most part, 182 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 1: as well as all of these high places that people 183 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 1: were going and worshiping at. God wanted his people to 184 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:31,200 Speaker 1: worship at the temple that was in Jerusalem, and so 185 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 1: now Jehoshaphat is encouraging the people to actually do that. 186 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 1: And Jehoshaphat goes even further in verses seven through nine. 187 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 1: Here's what he did. In the third year of his reign. 188 00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 1: He sent his princes ben hale Obadiah, Zechariah, Nathaniel, and 189 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:49,679 Speaker 1: Makaiah to teach in the cities of Judah, and with 190 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:53,079 Speaker 1: them Levites, and then it goes to name all the Levites, 191 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: which this is where I was really struggling. Schamea, Nathania, 192 00:10:56,960 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 1: Zebadhia Asael, Shemur, Remath, Johannathan, add A, Nija to Baijah, 193 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 1: and tab Badda Nija the Levites. So yeah, crazy names there. 194 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 1: I tried to do a little better during the reading portion. 195 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 1: But regardless, Jehosha Fat sent out princes and Levites into 196 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:23,440 Speaker 1: all of Judah to go and teach the people about God. 197 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:27,040 Speaker 1: That was the point of Jehoshah Fat doing this. He 198 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 1: was trying to follow the Old Testament laws. That was 199 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:32,120 Speaker 1: what the Levites were actually supposed to do from the beginning. 200 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 1: The reason the Levites were the only tribe to not 201 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 1: get any land of their own was because the Levites 202 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:41,439 Speaker 1: were supposed to go into Israel all over, to all 203 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 1: the different tribes and teach God's laws to the people. Now, 204 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:47,079 Speaker 1: it's not to say the Levites couldn't own land, of 205 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 1: course they could. They could own their own homes, but 206 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 1: they were supposed to live among all the tribes instead 207 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 1: of having a tribe all to themselves, if that makes sense. 208 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:01,599 Speaker 1: So now, finally, Jehoshah Fat is trying to implement this 209 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:05,360 Speaker 1: the way God wanted it from the beginning. He sends 210 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 1: out these levites and clan leaders to all these different 211 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 1: tribes so that they can teach Judah. It says they 212 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: taught in Judah, having the book of Yahweh's Law with them, 213 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 1: They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and 214 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:23,320 Speaker 1: taught among the people. And here's what ends up happening. 215 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:26,439 Speaker 1: The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of 216 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 1: the lands that were around Judah, so that they made 217 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:34,640 Speaker 1: no war against Jehoshah Fat. So because Judah is finally 218 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:39,160 Speaker 1: seeking after God the right way, God is beginning to 219 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 1: bless Judah abundantly by not letting any people make war 220 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:47,319 Speaker 1: with Judah. They were scared of Jehoshaphat because he was 221 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 1: such a powerful king at this time. Even the Philistines 222 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 1: brought Jehosha fat presence and silver for tribute. And you know, 223 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 1: the Philistines, they hated Judah, they hated Israel. They wanted 224 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:01,079 Speaker 1: nothing to do with the Israelites at all. But now 225 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:06,320 Speaker 1: they're actually bringing tribute to Jehosha Fat because they are 226 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:09,880 Speaker 1: fearful of what Judah might do. It says the Arabians 227 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:13,640 Speaker 1: also brought him flocks seven thousand, seven hundred rams and 228 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 1: seven thousand, seven hundred male goats, so this likely would 229 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:20,320 Speaker 1: have been a yearly tribute that the Arabians were bringing, 230 00:13:20,559 --> 00:13:23,079 Speaker 1: and the Arabians were probably the people to the south 231 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,480 Speaker 1: and south east, kind of close to Philista. But one 232 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 1: of the things that this probably shows, since all of 233 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 1: these different nations are bringing Jehosha fat tribute, is that 234 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 1: Judah was likely in control of the trade routes from 235 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:41,679 Speaker 1: east to west, and it's possible that they implemented some 236 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 1: sort of tax, which was one of the reasons why 237 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,440 Speaker 1: Judah was so wealthy at this time was because any 238 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 1: nation that wanted to travel through would have to pay 239 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:54,719 Speaker 1: a tax or a tribute of some sort in order 240 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:57,599 Speaker 1: to actually use the roads for the trade routes. But 241 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 1: this was all because of God's blessing on Judah. The 242 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:06,720 Speaker 1: people were finally seeking him. It says Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly, 243 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:10,599 Speaker 1: and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah. He 244 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:13,319 Speaker 1: had many works in the cities of Judah, and men 245 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:18,080 Speaker 1: of war, mighty men of valor in Jerusalem. So Jehoshaphat. 246 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 1: He was a great king. He restored balance to Judah 247 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 1: once again, not just in spiritual things, but in physical 248 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 1: things as well. He was fortifying cities. He was building 249 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 1: fortresses and brand new store cities all around Judah. It 250 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 1: says that he had many men of war as well, 251 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,800 Speaker 1: mighty men of valor in Jerusalem. And then it goes 252 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 1: into all of the men that were captains of the guard. 253 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 1: In verses fourteen through nineteen, it mentions aDNA, the captain Jayjohanan, 254 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 1: and Amasia. It says Amasia specifically willingly offered himself to Yahweh. 255 00:14:56,920 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 1: So this means that Jehoshaphat was actually surrounding himsel self 256 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:03,360 Speaker 1: with men who loved Yahweh as well. And then it 257 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 1: mentions a few other men, Eli Aida and Jehoseph Bad 258 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 1: specifically were from the tribes of Benjamin, because don't forget, 259 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 1: Judah and Benjamin were kind of melded together at this 260 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 1: point and they became one nation. And then the other 261 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 1: tribes to the north were the rest of Israel. But 262 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: the point of this chapter is that God blesses his people. 263 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:28,600 Speaker 1: He kept his promise to Judah and to Israel. You know, 264 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: way back in the wilderness when God and Israel first 265 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:35,520 Speaker 1: made that covenant together. Israel said, God, we will worship 266 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 1: you and you alone, and God said, great, I will 267 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 1: be your God. Just wait and see the blessings that 268 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 1: I give you when you actually worship me. But then 269 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 1: God also said, but if you break your covenant, if 270 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:51,440 Speaker 1: you break your promise, then I Am going to take 271 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: my hand of blessing away. And that's where we see 272 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 1: Israel at during this time period. God is taking his 273 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 1: hand of blessing away from Israel because you know what 274 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:03,120 Speaker 1: was happening in Israel. Right at the same time as 275 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:07,360 Speaker 1: Jehosephad is flourishing down in Judah, a huge drought is 276 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: taking place that lasted for three years. That's what's happening 277 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,720 Speaker 1: up in Israel during the time of Jehoshaphat. But jehoshah 278 00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 1: Fat and Judah weren't being touched by any of the 279 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 1: problems afflicting Israel. And some people might look at that 280 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: and be like, well, God is so mean because he 281 00:16:25,480 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 1: only blesses people who worships him, But that's actually not true. 282 00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 1: Before that entire drought, God was pouring blessing down on Israel, 283 00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 1: and he was even still showing his mercy to Israel 284 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 1: in spite of how far away Israel actually fell from God. 285 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,680 Speaker 1: God was still showing them blessings all the time, giving 286 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:53,160 Speaker 1: them the prophets, saving them from wars and from enemies 287 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 1: that were coming and attacking them. So God is so merciful. 288 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 1: And that's what I love about the Old Testament is 289 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 1: it just constantly shows the loving mercy of God. When 290 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 1: God didn't need to bless anybody or show anybody mercy 291 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 1: because of how far they had fallen. And yet God 292 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:11,920 Speaker 1: is always showing up in the Old Testament waiting and 293 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 1: wanting to bless his people. On Monday, we just recently 294 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:23,960 Speaker 1: read a verse about that, about how God wants to 295 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:26,920 Speaker 1: bless his people, And to conclude this episode, i'll read 296 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 1: that verse for you right after a quick word from 297 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:34,920 Speaker 1: our sponsor. So the verse is Second Chronicles sixteen, verse nine. 298 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: It says yahwais eyes run back and forth throughout the 299 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 1: whole earth to show himself strong in the behalf of 300 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 1: those whose heart is perfect toward him. That is a 301 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 1: beautiful verse that shows that God is ready and willing 302 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 1: to help the people who worship him. God actually wants 303 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:56,120 Speaker 1: to show himself strong, and I think that that's really beautiful. 304 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:59,120 Speaker 1: And it's also what the Kings and the chronicles always 305 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 1: prove about God is that He is right there, He 306 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:05,919 Speaker 1: is watching everything, and he is going to show up 307 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,040 Speaker 1: when people seek after him. But faithful listeners, I hope 308 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:11,600 Speaker 1: you enjoyed today's episode, and if you did, share it 309 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: on your social media platforms and tell people that the 310 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 1: Bible Explained podcast exists. Word of mouth is one of 311 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 1: the best ways you can spread this podcast to more people. 312 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:22,920 Speaker 1: But faithful listeners, if you are a brand new to 313 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:24,840 Speaker 1: the podcast and you don't really know what this is, 314 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:28,960 Speaker 1: then go over to www dot p forty ministries dot 315 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:32,639 Speaker 1: com and check out the about page. You'll find a 316 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 1: lot of useful information on there, including my statement of faith. 317 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:37,680 Speaker 1: So go to the website if you would like to 318 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: check all of that out. Friends and faithful listeners, have 319 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:44,000 Speaker 1: a fantastic and wonderful rest of your Wednesday. I'll see 320 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 1: you guys next year or tomorrow on the podcast. Yes, 321 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 1: there will be an episode tomorrow on New Year's Day. 322 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:54,119 Speaker 1: We'll be talking about First Timothy and finishing all that up. 323 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 1: So I hope to see you guys tomorrow. Six am 324 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 1: or whenever you choose to wake up and listen until then, 325 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:08,359 Speaker 1: Happy list, Happy New Year, and God bless. I just 326 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 1: want to take a second to thank the team at 327 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:12,359 Speaker 1: Life Audio for their partnership with me on the Bible 328 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,280 Speaker 1: Explain podcast. In fact, if you go to lifeaudio dot 329 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 1: com you will find dozens of other faith centered podcasts 330 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:22,200 Speaker 1: in their network. They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, 331 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:22,840 Speaker 1: and more.