1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and the fear of the Lord fell 2 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:07,120 Speaker 1: upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round 3 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:11,320 Speaker 1: about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehosaphat 4 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: Second Chronicles, seventeen ten. Before I start my day, I 5 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:21,680 Speaker 1: will first spend it in your presence. Through this decision, 6 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: your truth spoken to me in to day's reading has 7 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: set me up for success. Thank you that through the 8 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,960 Speaker 1: story of Jehosephat and Ahab, I see the importance of 9 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: not moving on a matter until I get your word 10 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 1: on it. Protect me from the advice of others that 11 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:44,279 Speaker 1: would have me die on the battlefield of my dreams 12 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 1: because I did not wait for the true answer of 13 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:51,839 Speaker 1: the Lord, stick my feet to the ground until I 14 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: have clearly heard from you. Help me to recognize people 15 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: pleasers who just want to be yes men and yes 16 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:05,319 Speaker 1: women in my life. Your word, your yes is the 17 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: final say in my life. Therefore, I will thank you 18 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 1: in advance, because when I get my yes from you, 19 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 1: I can trust that my outcome will be glorious and 20 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 1: filled with your favor in Jesus name, Amen. Listening to 21 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: these daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God. Continue hearing 22 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: from the Lord by listening to today's Bible in a 23 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: Year brought to you by Bible in a Year dot. 24 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 2: Com Jehoseph, Fat and a half. In our last story, 25 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 2: we dove more into the mind of the witch Queen Jezebel. 26 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 2: Her evil and twisted ways had a hold on King 27 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 2: Ahaf and she would enact cruelty on his behalf. After 28 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 2: she had a farmer killed for his land, Elijah confronted 29 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 2: Ahab and he repented before the Lord. Now we learn 30 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 2: about the righteous rule of King Jehosaphat over Judah in 31 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 2: his unlikely alliance with King Ahab from Israel. Their alliance 32 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 2: proved to be a deadly one for Ahab as. 33 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 3: They pursued the Syrians inspired by the Book of First 34 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:28,399 Speaker 3: Kings and Second Chronicles. 35 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 4: Hello, this is Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of 36 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:38,359 Speaker 4: the Bible in a Year podcast. In our previous episode, 37 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 4: we saw just how evil and conniving and calculating Jezebel, 38 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 4: the witch of a queen was. She held Ahab in 39 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 4: her power and acted with great wickedness on his behalf. 40 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 4: And with his silent consent, Elijah, the Great Man of God, 41 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 4: finally confronted Ahab for his unfaithfulness and pronounced God's judgment 42 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 4: on him and his wife Jeeshidh. Ahab was moved to 43 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 4: repentance and sorrow for his actions, and the Lord showed 44 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:12,000 Speaker 4: mercy on the king, But Jezebel died in judgment. Today 45 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 4: we'll hear how Judah's righteous king Jehosephat formed an alliance 46 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 4: with Ahab. These two kingdoms so often at odds and 47 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:23,160 Speaker 4: at war, were now working together. But it will spell 48 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 4: disaster for Ahab. So let's listen to God's word. 49 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 3: Now in the land of Judah, a new king was emerging. Jehosephat, 50 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 3: a young man from the line of David, had taken 51 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 3: over as king after his father Atha. Jehosephad was not 52 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:43,400 Speaker 3: a man to go looking for war and conflict. However, 53 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 3: he knew that Judah had many enemies, mainly their neighboring 54 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 3: nation Israel. So Jehosephad strengthened Judah's borders and fortified its cities. 55 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 3: He stationed troops in every town and created garrisons to 56 00:03:56,800 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 3: stand in defense of the farmlands and villages. All Jehosephad 57 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 3: did was pleasing in the sight of the Lord. Similar 58 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 3: to his father Atha, during his younger years, Jehosephad was 59 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 3: faithful and kind. He worshiped the Lord and shunned the 60 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 3: popular images of bail. Meanwhile, Israel under King Ahab was 61 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 3: known for its idolatry and wicked practices. Word had spread 62 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 3: of their run ins with Elijah. Joosephad took their conflict 63 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 3: as a warning to continually seek the Lord and obey him. 64 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 3: He even sent men to remove the pagan shrines that 65 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 3: remained in the wilderness of Judah. Because of this, the 66 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:39,799 Speaker 3: Lord blessed him with wisdom, riches, and influence. Jehosephad also 67 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:43,160 Speaker 3: desired that other people know the Lord deeply. He knew 68 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 3: that without knowledge, the people would perish. Joosephad's goal was 69 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:50,240 Speaker 3: to allow the entire nation of Judah to truly understand 70 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:53,720 Speaker 3: the law and love of God, as their ancestors once 71 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 3: did so. He sent out teachers, priests, and prophets into 72 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 3: the land to spread the Word of God and teach 73 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 3: its meanings. He sent ben hiel Obadiah, Zechariah, Nathaniel, and 74 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 3: Meciah to teach the people the depths of God's word 75 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,600 Speaker 3: and his love for the people. He also sent out 76 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 3: levites to perform sacrifices on behalf of the villages and 77 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 3: cities that could not afford to do so themselves. The 78 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:23,320 Speaker 3: fear and love of the Lord blew through the nation 79 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 3: of Judah like a pleasant breeze, so much so that 80 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 3: even surrounding nations began to take notice. Some of the Philistines, 81 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 3: sworn enemies of God's people, would send gifts of silver 82 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 3: and livestock to make peace. Many nations refused to declare 83 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:42,880 Speaker 3: war on Judah solely because the presence of God was 84 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 3: known to dwell there. So Jehosephat became loved and respected 85 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 3: in the whole land. The wealth of Judah began to grow, 86 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 3: and there were great reserves for times of famine. In addition, 87 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 3: the armies of Judah amassed in great numbers. They were 88 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 3: well fed, well trained, and well treated soldiers. Even more, 89 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 3: they loved their king. Jehosephad had earned the love and 90 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 3: favor of his men as David once did. Yet he 91 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:13,280 Speaker 3: believed the time for war was over, and now it 92 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:16,320 Speaker 3: was time for alliances to be made and partnerships to 93 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 3: be formed. Jehosephad extended an alliance to King Ahab of Israel, 94 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 3: so Jehosephat's son and Ahab's daughter were married as a 95 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 3: sign of solidarity between nations. Their warring against one another 96 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,279 Speaker 3: was to be ended through their union. A few years 97 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 3: had passed and Jehosephad had enjoyed peace with Israel and 98 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 3: the other surrounding nations. One day he went to Samaria 99 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 3: to visit Ahab, who had prepared a great feast in 100 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:46,719 Speaker 3: his honor. Jehosephad sat at the large banquet table with 101 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 3: his officials, enjoying the company of their allies. Ahab was 102 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 3: sitting on the opposite end of the table. He was 103 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 3: much more quiet than usual. Jehosephad knew something was slightly 104 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:00,919 Speaker 3: off about Ahab's demeanor. He needed to say something, He 105 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:05,359 Speaker 3: needed to ask something. Jehosephad watched as Ahab finished his plate, 106 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:10,119 Speaker 3: set it aside, and cleared his throat. My friend, Ahab began, 107 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 3: did you know that Raimuth Gilliad belongs to Israel, but 108 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 3: the Syrians took it over quite some time ago. Ahab 109 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 3: looked intently at the King of Judah. There was desperation 110 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 3: in his eyes. Please, will you go into battle with 111 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 3: us to take it back? Some of our people are 112 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 3: still there and our resources. Jehosephad took a moment to 113 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 3: think he had made a point to avoid war in 114 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 3: the past few years. Did he want to go into 115 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 3: battle for land that was not his? Did he want 116 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 3: to march his men to fight to right or wrong 117 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 3: that was not done to them. It was a difficult decision, 118 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 3: but ultimately Jehosephad knew what needed to be done. What 119 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:50,000 Speaker 3: good were alliances if you did not hold your end 120 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 3: of the bargain? You and I are one, the king said, 121 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 3: your people are my people, and my horses are your horses. 122 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 3: Ahab was elated at his words. The two of them embraced, 123 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 3: and the whole room continued to celebrate. Jehosephad raised his 124 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:09,239 Speaker 3: hand to silence them for a moment and said, however, 125 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 3: let us first consult the Lord to see if we 126 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 3: have his favor in this. After that, Ahab summoned some 127 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 3: of his pagan prophets in the land. Four hundred men 128 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:22,080 Speaker 3: from Israel filtered into the palace gates and came to 129 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:26,360 Speaker 3: Ahab's halls. Jehosephad watched as the idle worshiping men of 130 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 3: Israel gave their words. Each and every one of them 131 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:33,079 Speaker 3: gave the king permission to go into battle. Yes, they 132 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 3: all said, God will give the king victory. They all replied. However, 133 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 3: Jehosephad was not convinced they spoke for the Lord. He 134 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:44,960 Speaker 3: turned to Ahab and said, are there any men of 135 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 3: God in your land that could speak with us? Ahab 136 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 3: thought long and hard about Jehosephad's question. He knew that 137 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,720 Speaker 3: there was another man who would speak faithfully for the Lord, 138 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:59,160 Speaker 3: but he often rebuked Ahab for his wicked ways. Ahab 139 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 3: spoke and said, yes, there is another. His name is Machiah. However, 140 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 3: I hate the man. He never prophesies in my favor. 141 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 3: He only means trouble for me. The King of Judah 142 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 3: began to worry about the man he had aligned with. 143 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 3: He knew that Ahab had pagan tendencies and had led 144 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 3: Israel astray once before, but he thought he had repented 145 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 3: from that. However, now Jehosephad was beginning to wonder if 146 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 3: a lining with Ahab was a wise decision. That is 147 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 3: not how a king should speak. Jehosephad rebuked, let us 148 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:34,840 Speaker 3: hear what the prophet has to say. The King of 149 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 3: Israel nodded and sent for Machiah. While they waited, Ahab 150 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 3: had more of his false prophets spin stories of victory 151 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:45,080 Speaker 3: for them. They sat on their thrones and listened to 152 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:48,679 Speaker 3: the tickling words of self serving men. They had made 153 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 3: it their habit to say anything that pleased Ahab, but 154 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 3: not Machaiah. Much like Elijah, he would always tell the truth, 155 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:59,520 Speaker 3: no matter how brutal. A messenger finally came to Machiah 156 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 3: to summon him to the palace. The messenger pulled Makiah 157 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:06,160 Speaker 3: in close and said, every prophet is promising the king 158 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 3: victory in battle. Make sure you agree with them and 159 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 3: promise the king success. Makiah laughed at the request and 160 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,360 Speaker 3: shook his head. He patted the messenger on the shoulder 161 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 3: and said, I will say what God says, no more, 162 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 3: no less, and with that he made his way to 163 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 3: the palace. Makiah entered into the palace doors. The four 164 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:30,640 Speaker 3: hundred prophets lined the walls like flies to sugar. The 165 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 3: torches were lit and there was music playing. Clearly, Ahab 166 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 3: wanted to gain favor from his new friend, the King 167 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 3: of Judah. Makiah looked around and saw the king sitting 168 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 3: on his throne, His robes were draped over the throne, 169 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 3: and he was clothed in fine linens and gold. His 170 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:52,240 Speaker 3: flashiness disgusted Makiah. The king glared at him. No doubt, 171 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 3: Makaiah had only been summoned because King Jehosaphat was a 172 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 3: man of integrity. Why else would he be asked to 173 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 3: give counsel. Ahabs that upright and asked a question for 174 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 3: all to hear. Machiah, shall we go to war against 175 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:11,079 Speaker 3: Raemuth Gilead or should I stay back? Machiah was entertained 176 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 3: by the question. He smiled and did his best to 177 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 3: initiate the pandering tone of the other prophets, and said, 178 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 3: ah yes, my Lord and King, you shall be victorious 179 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 3: as you are in all your ways. Go and be brave. 180 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:29,080 Speaker 3: Then he bowed as a close to his small performance. 181 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 3: Ahab teemed with anger. How many times must I demand 182 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 3: you speak the truth to me with these matters, Ahab 183 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:42,080 Speaker 3: replied sharply. Machiah's entertained face grew darker. He sighed and 184 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:46,319 Speaker 3: pointed intently at Ahab. I have seen a vision in Israel, 185 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:49,679 Speaker 3: he said. I saw the children of Israel scattered on 186 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 3: the mountains like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord then 187 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 3: spoke to me and said, their master has been killed. 188 00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:59,959 Speaker 3: Send them home in peace. Makaiah then shrugged his sha 189 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,480 Speaker 3: and began to turn back. Ahab leaned over to the 190 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:05,960 Speaker 3: King of Judah and said, what did I tell you? 191 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 3: He never prophesies in my favor. This instance is no 192 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 3: different from the rest. Upon hearing Ahab, Machiah turned around 193 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:17,839 Speaker 3: and said, listen to me. Now, I saw the Lord 194 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 3: sitting on his throne with the armies of heaven surrounding him. 195 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:24,559 Speaker 3: The Lord spoke clearly and asked all of his armies, 196 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 3: who will go forth and entice King Ahab to be killed. 197 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 3: So a spirit came and said, I will send him 198 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 3: prophets to tell him a victory. So believe me when 199 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:38,319 Speaker 3: I say that the Lord has put lying mouths in 200 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 3: these prophets of yours to lead you into your death. 201 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:46,199 Speaker 3: As Machiah was speaking, another prophet came up to him 202 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 3: and slapped him across the face. Since when did God's 203 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:52,920 Speaker 3: spirit leave me to speak to you, he said. Machiah 204 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:55,080 Speaker 3: spat out some blood from his mouth and peered up 205 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 3: at him. You will see soon enough, when you are 206 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 3: hiding like a dog in your dad arrest him. Ah 207 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 3: have yelled, put him in prison and feed him nothing 208 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:07,559 Speaker 3: but bread and water until I return from my battle. 209 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 3: That's if you return, Machiah yelled, as he was being 210 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 3: bound by the palace guards. Mark my words, if you 211 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 3: return from that battle, it means the Lord does not 212 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:22,320 Speaker 3: speak through me. And with those last words, Machiah was 213 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 3: taken away. Despite Jehosaphat's reservation, the two armies marched into battle. 214 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 3: The next week. When the two armies met to descend 215 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:36,040 Speaker 3: into Raymouth, Gilead Ahab turned to Jehosaphat and said, you 216 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:39,680 Speaker 3: continue to wear your royal armor, but I will disguise 217 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:43,199 Speaker 3: myself so nobody knows I am king. So a have 218 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,439 Speaker 3: disguised himself, knowing full well the Syrians would want to 219 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 3: kill him. Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, 220 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:53,040 Speaker 3: the King of Syria said to his commanders, I do 221 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 3: not want much bloodshed today. Attack only the King of Israel. 222 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:01,080 Speaker 3: Do not bother with anyone else. So the battlegan. The 223 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 3: alliance of Judah and Israel charged at the Syrians. Metal 224 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:08,240 Speaker 3: and bone clashed on the battlefield, and the Syrians were 225 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:10,680 Speaker 3: intent on getting to the back of the battle to 226 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 3: get the king when they saw Jehosaphad in his royal armor, 227 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:19,280 Speaker 3: they mistook him for King Ahab and charged. Jehosaphad's eyes 228 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:21,960 Speaker 3: widened as he saw a sea of soldiers pursuing him. 229 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 3: He planted his feet in the ground and prepared for 230 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 3: their attack. But the lord saved him, and as soon 231 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 3: as the chariots drew close to him, they realized it 232 00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 3: was not a half. 233 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 2: It stuck. 234 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:35,920 Speaker 3: Meanwhile, Ahab was disguised as a normal soldier in the 235 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 3: back of the battlefield. He fought very little, making sure 236 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 3: to preserve his own safety. A barrage of arrows were 237 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 3: suddenly shot in Ahab's direction and he was struck in 238 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:48,840 Speaker 3: his side. Ahab writhed in pain on the floor. He 239 00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 3: called to his chariot and yelled, get me out of here. 240 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 3: I am wounded. So the servant propped him up on 241 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 3: the chariot and began to weave through the battle to escape. 242 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 3: The battle raged on violently as the Syrians looked for 243 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 3: ae have However, as the sun was setting and the 244 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:08,040 Speaker 3: battle was raging, Ahab died. 245 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 1: In his chariot. 246 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 4: In today's scripture, we read of a story of two 247 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 4: kingdoms and two very different kings. Jehosephat was the son 248 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 4: of Asa, King of Judah, and like his father and 249 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:29,000 Speaker 4: his forefather David before him, Jehosephat was a righteous king 250 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 4: who earnestly sought the Lord's favor, and he not only 251 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 4: sought favor for himself. He acted in the best interest 252 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 4: of the people of Judah, tearing down idols, not only 253 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 4: in the prominent cities, but in the dark recesses of 254 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 4: the desert where evil tried to hide. His example is 255 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:51,040 Speaker 4: one we should follow, seeking to root out any idolatry 256 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 4: in our life, all false gods and false ideologies, even 257 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:58,520 Speaker 4: those that we try to hide in our own life. 258 00:15:58,600 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 4: God looked favorably upon Jehosaphat and blessed him and his 259 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:07,080 Speaker 4: nation with peace, prosperity, and prominence among the neighboring nations. 260 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 4: Jehosphat and Judah stood in stark contrast to Israel and 261 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 4: King Ahab to the north. Any change of heart or 262 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:19,120 Speaker 4: repentance from Ahab seemed to be now gone, and he 263 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:21,880 Speaker 4: continued to lead people in the worship of bail in 264 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:27,000 Speaker 4: giving his ear to false prophets. Once again, he disobeys God. 265 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 4: King Jehosaphat desired peace especially with his northern neighbors, so 266 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 4: he forged an alliance with Aheb through the marriage of 267 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 4: his son to Ahab's daughter. Thus ended the conflict between 268 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 4: these two nations, Israel and Judah. Ahab knew that Judah's 269 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 4: army was strong and capable, and after a few years 270 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 4: he approached Jehosephat for help defeating Syria and reclaiming land 271 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 4: and possessions the Syrians had taken from Israel. And though 272 00:16:56,280 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 4: Jehosaphat wanted peace and to avoid war, he knew it 273 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 4: would be right to support his ally, so he agreed 274 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:07,640 Speaker 4: to help. But he wisely told Ahab that they must 275 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:11,119 Speaker 4: first seek the Lord's guidance, to seek God's counsel to 276 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 4: see if the battle was one God would give victory. 277 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 4: For Ahab, the battle seemed to be no problem, for 278 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:19,479 Speaker 4: he had hundreds of men who would gladly tell him 279 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 4: whatever he wanted to hear. A have then summoned these 280 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:27,040 Speaker 4: pagan prophets, and as he sat with Jehosephad, these men 281 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:30,680 Speaker 4: came before him and spoke only of victory, saying God 282 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 4: would be the king. But Jehosephad had a discerning heart 283 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 4: and he wanted to be sure these were in fact 284 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:42,119 Speaker 4: God's words. So he says in First King twenty two seven, 285 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 4: is there not here another prophet of the Lord of 286 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,919 Speaker 4: whom we may inquire? This is a huge reminder for 287 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 4: us today that we must always be discerning and wise 288 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 4: concerning so called spiritual advice. The Bible says we are 289 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 4: to test the spirits to see if they are from God. 290 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,280 Speaker 4: Ahab surely was frustrated because he knew his prophetic yes 291 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 4: men did not convince Jehosaphat. He knew of a prophet 292 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 4: who indeed spoke from God and for God, but he 293 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:17,680 Speaker 4: didn't want to hear this, so he called for Makaiah 294 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:20,360 Speaker 4: to come to him, even though he never gave him 295 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:25,480 Speaker 4: a favorable word from God. As they waited for his arrival, 296 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:29,119 Speaker 4: more false prophets continued their spectacle, trying to prop up 297 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:33,200 Speaker 4: the king. But when the prophet awrived the real prophet, 298 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 4: the word he brought was ultimately much different. He revealed 299 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 4: a vision from God of sheep scattered on the hill 300 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 4: and their master having been killed. After Ahab rejected this prophet, 301 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:49,120 Speaker 4: Makiah turned around and spoke in clear terms, telling him 302 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 4: God had sent him false prophets to entice him to 303 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 4: war so that he would be killed. Yet even with 304 00:18:55,920 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 4: this knowledge, Ahab insisted on going to war, but rather 305 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 4: than bravely entering the battle as king, he tried to 306 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:08,280 Speaker 4: disguise himself while he made Jehosephat dress in royal garb 307 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:12,080 Speaker 4: and mount his horse. In the end, however, none of 308 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 4: his schemes mattered, because the Lord's plans will never fail. Jehosephath, 309 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 4: the Righteous King, was spared from death, while Ahab was 310 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:24,400 Speaker 4: struck down by the enemy's arras and died in his chariot. 311 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:28,560 Speaker 4: Next time, we'll learn more about this god fearing righteous 312 00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:34,400 Speaker 4: king of Judah, whose name is Jehosaphat. Dear Lord, help 313 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 4: us always to listen to you and not to others 314 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:39,520 Speaker 4: who may speak for you but in fact tell lies. 315 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:43,480 Speaker 4: You have told us that we should discern truth from error, 316 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:48,359 Speaker 4: righteousness from unrighteousness, and your word, the word of God 317 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:51,720 Speaker 4: for the words of men. Help us always to test 318 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 4: the spirits to see that they are from you, and 319 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 4: trust and obey your counsel as we fight spiritual battles. 320 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 4: In your name. Amen, Thank you for listening to today's 321 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:07,800 Speaker 4: Bible in a Year podcast I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. 322 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:11,280 Speaker 4: Let me encourage you to download Theprey dot com app 323 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:14,800 Speaker 4: and always make Bible reading and Bible study a priority 324 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:18,960 Speaker 4: in your life along with prayer. If you enjoyed this podcast, 325 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 4: share it with someone you love. Let someone know because 326 00:20:22,080 --> 00:20:25,080 Speaker 4: by sharing this podcast, you can truly make a difference 327 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:29,080 Speaker 4: in someone's life. And if you want more resources from me, 328 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:31,639 Speaker 4: Jack Graham as to how you can grow in your 329 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 4: Christian life, then go to Jack Graham dot org. That's 330 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:38,960 Speaker 4: Jack Graham dot org. God bless you. 331 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 2: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 332 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:52,200 Speaker 2: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 333 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:56,720 Speaker 5: Welcome to the previous podcast where Hope is our only bias. 334 00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:00,919 Speaker 5: Each day, we'll unpack the most prominence stories happening in 335 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:04,480 Speaker 5: the news and offer a Christian perspective. We won't shy 336 00:21:04,560 --> 00:21:07,119 Speaker 5: away from the hard topics, and we won't dilute the 337 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:10,639 Speaker 5: hopeful message of Christ. This is more than a daily 338 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:13,240 Speaker 5: brief on the news. It's a way to be informed 339 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:17,960 Speaker 5: and transformed. 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