1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,200 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and the fear of the Lord fell 2 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round 3 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehosaphat 4 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: Second Chronicles, seventeen ten. Before I start my day, I 5 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:21,600 Speaker 1: will first spend it in your presence. Through this decision, 6 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: your truth spoken to me in to day's reading has 7 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: set me up for success. Thank you that through the 8 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,879 Speaker 1: story of Jehosaphat and Ahab, I see the importance of 9 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,920 Speaker 1: not moving on a matter until I get your word 10 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 1: on it. Protect me from the advice of others that 11 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 1: would have me die on the battlefield of my dreams 12 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:46,879 Speaker 1: because I did not wait for the true answer of 13 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:51,800 Speaker 1: the Lord, stick my feet to the ground until I 14 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:56,320 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 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 1: women in my life. Your word, your yes is the 17 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:10,200 Speaker 1: final say in my life. Therefore, I will thank you 18 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 1: in advance, because when I get my yes from you, 19 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 1: I can trust that my outcome will be glorious and 20 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: filled with your favor in Jesus name, Amen. Listening to 21 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 1: these daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God. Continue hearing 22 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:34,400 Speaker 1: from the Lord by listening to to day's Bible in 23 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: a Year brought to you by Bible in a Year 24 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: dot com. Jehosah, Fhat and Ahab. In our last story, 25 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 1: we dove more into the mind of the witch Queen Jezebel. 26 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: Her evil and twisted ways had a hold on King Aha, 27 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:04,080 Speaker 1: and she would enact cruelty on his behalf. After she 28 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: had a farmer killed for his land, Elijah confronted Ahab 29 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: and he repented before the Lord. Now we learn about 30 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: the righteous rule of King Jehosaphat over Judah and his 31 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:20,079 Speaker 1: unlikely alliance with King Ahab from Israel. Their alliance proved 32 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:23,239 Speaker 1: to be a deadly one for Ahab as they pursued 33 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 1: the Syrians inspired by the Book of First Kings and 34 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:33,680 Speaker 1: Second Chronicles. Hello, this is Pastor Jack Graham with today's 35 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: episode of the Bible in a Year podcast. In our 36 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: previous episode, we saw just how evil and conniving and 37 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 1: calculating Jezebel, the witch of a queen was. She held 38 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:49,200 Speaker 1: Ahab in her power and acted with great wickedness on 39 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 1: his behalf. And with his silent consent, Elijah, the Great 40 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:56,920 Speaker 1: Man of God, finally confronted Ahab for his unfaithfulness and 41 00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 1: pronounced God's judgment on him and his wife. Jel Ahab 42 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 1: was moved to repentance and sorrow for his actions, and 43 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 1: the Lord showed mercy on the king, But Jezebel died 44 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 1: in judgment. Today we'll hear how Judah's righteous king, Jehosaphat, 45 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 1: formed an alliance with Ahab. These two kingdoms so often 46 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 1: at odds and at war, were now working together. But 47 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 1: it will spell disaster for Ahab. So let's listen to 48 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:31,079 Speaker 1: God's word. Now in the land of Judah, a new 49 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 1: king was emerging. Jehosaphat, a young man from the line 50 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: of David, had taken over as king after his father Atha. 51 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 1: Jehosaphat was not a man to go looking for war 52 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: and conflict. However, he knew that Judah had many enemies, 53 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 1: mainly their neighboring nation Israel. So Jehosaphat strengthened Judah's borders 54 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 1: and fortified its cities. He stationed troops in every town 55 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: and created garrisons to stand in defense of the farm 56 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 1: lands and villages. All Jehosaphat did was pleasing in the 57 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:05,280 Speaker 1: sight of the Lord. Similar to his father Atha during 58 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:10,160 Speaker 1: his younger years, Jehosaphad was faithful and kind. He worshiped 59 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 1: the Lord and shunned the popular images of bail. Meanwhile, 60 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:18,040 Speaker 1: Israel under King Ahab was known for its idolatry and 61 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 1: wicked practices. Word had spread of their run ins with Elijah. 62 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: Josephat took their conflict as a warning to continually seek 63 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 1: the Lord and obey him. He even sent men to 64 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:33,279 Speaker 1: remove the pagan shrines that remained in the wilderness of Judah. 65 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 1: Because of this, the Lord blessed him with wisdom, riches, 66 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 1: and influence. Jehosephad also desired that other people know the 67 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:45,560 Speaker 1: Lord deeply. He knew that without knowledge, the people would perish. 68 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: Josephat's goal was to allow the entire nation of Judah 69 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 1: to truly understand the law and love of God, as 70 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 1: their ancestors once did. So. He sent out teachers, priests, 71 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 1: and prophets into the land to spread the Word of 72 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: God and teach its meanings. He sent Ben High, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nathaniel, 73 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:09,840 Speaker 1: and Macaiah to teach the people the depths of God's 74 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 1: word and his love for the people. He also sent 75 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 1: out leavites to perform sacrifices on behalf of the villages 76 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: and cities that could not afford to do so themselves. 77 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 1: The fear and love of the Lord blew through the 78 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 1: nation of Judah like a pleasant breeze, so much so 79 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:30,359 Speaker 1: that even surrounding nations began to take notice. Some of 80 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 1: the Philistines, sworn enemies of God's people, would send gifts 81 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 1: of silver and livestock to make peace. Many nations refused 82 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: to declare war on Judah solely because the presence of 83 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:46,559 Speaker 1: God was known to dwell there. So Jehosaphat became loved 84 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 1: and respected in the whole land. The wealth of Judah 85 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 1: began to grow, and there were great reserves for times 86 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,919 Speaker 1: of famine. In addition, the armies of Judah amassed in 87 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:00,680 Speaker 1: great numbers. They were well fed, well trained, and well 88 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 1: treated soldiers. Even more, they loved their king. Jejoseapha had 89 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 1: earned the love and favor of his men, as David 90 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 1: once did. Yet he believed the time for war was over, 91 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:15,159 Speaker 1: and now it was time for alliances to be made 92 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:19,479 Speaker 1: and partnerships to be formed. Jehosephad extended an alliance to 93 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:23,799 Speaker 1: King Ahab of Israel, so Jehosaphat's son and Ahab's daughter 94 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 1: were married as a sign of solidarity between nations. Their 95 00:06:28,279 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 1: warring against one another was to be ended through their union. 96 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,839 Speaker 1: A few years had passed, and Jehosaphadd had enjoyed peace 97 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 1: with Israel and the other surrounding nations. One day he 98 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who had prepared a 99 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,679 Speaker 1: great feast in his honor. Jehosephat sat at the large 100 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 1: banquet table with his officials, enjoying the company of their allies. 101 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: Ahab was sitting on the opposite end of the table. 102 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 1: He was much more quiet than usual. Jehosephat knew something 103 00:06:56,640 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: was slightly half about Ahab's demeanor. He needed to say something, 104 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 1: He needed to ask something. Josephat watched as Ahab finished 105 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 1: his plate, set it aside, and cleared his throat. My friend, 106 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 1: Ahab began, did you know that Raymuth Gilead belongs to Israel, 107 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 1: but the Syrians took it over quite some time ago. 108 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 1: Ahab looked intently at the King of Judah. There was 109 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 1: desperation in his eyes. Please, will you go into battle 110 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 1: with us to take it back? Some of our people 111 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: are still there and our resources. Jehosephat took a moment 112 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: to think he had made a point to avoid war 113 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:35,440 Speaker 1: in the past few years. Did he want to go 114 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 1: into battle for land that was not his? Did he 115 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 1: want to march his men to fight to right a 116 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: wrong that was not done to them. It was a 117 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: difficult decision, but ultimately Jehosephat knew what needed to be done. 118 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: What good were alliances if you did not hold your 119 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: end of the bargain. You and I are one, the 120 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 1: king said, your people are my people, and my horses 121 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 1: are your horses. Ahab was elated at his words. That 122 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: two of them embraced, and the whole room continued to celebrate. 123 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: Jehosephad raised his hand to silence them for a moment 124 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 1: and said, however, let us first consult the Lord to 125 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 1: see if we have his favor in this. After that, 126 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 1: Ahab summoned some of his pagan prophets in the land. 127 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 1: Four hundred men from Israel filtered into the palace gates 128 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 1: and came to Ahab's halls. Jehosephad watched as the idle 129 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 1: worshiping men of Israel gave their words. Each and every 130 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:32,680 Speaker 1: one of them gave the king permission to go into battle. Yes, 131 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:36,240 Speaker 1: they all said, God will give the king victory. They 132 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: all replied. However, Jehosephad was not convinced they spoke for 133 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 1: the Lord. He turned to Ahab and said, are there 134 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: any men of God in your land that could speak 135 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 1: with us? Ahab thought long and hard about Jehosephat's question. 136 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 1: He knew that there was another man who would speak 137 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:56,839 Speaker 1: faithfully for the Lord, but he often rebuked Ahab for 138 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:01,680 Speaker 1: his wicked ways. Ahab spoke and said, yes, there is another. 139 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 1: His name is Machaiah. However, I hate the man. He 140 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 1: never prophesies in my favor. He only means trouble for me. 141 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: The King of Judah began to worry about the man 142 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:16,040 Speaker 1: he had aligned with. He knew that Ahab had pagan 143 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 1: tendencies and had led Israel astray once before, but he 144 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 1: thought he had repented from that. However, now Jehosephad was 145 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 1: beginning to wonder if a lining with Ahab was a 146 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 1: wise decision. That is not how a king should speak. 147 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 1: Jehosephad rebuked, let us hear what the prophet has to say. 148 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 1: The King of Israel nodded and sent for Makaiah. While 149 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 1: they waited, Ahab had more of his false prophets spins 150 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 1: stories of victory for them. They sat on their thrones 151 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:47,320 Speaker 1: and listened to the tickling words of self serving men. 152 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:50,240 Speaker 1: They had made it their habit to say anything that 153 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:54,720 Speaker 1: pleased Ahab, but not Macaiah. Much like Elijah, he would 154 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 1: always tell the truth, no matter how brutal. A messenger 155 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 1: finally came to Machaiah to summon him to the palace. 156 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: The messenger pulled Macaiah in close and said, every prophet 157 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 1: is promising the king victory in battle. Make sure you 158 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 1: agree with them and promise the king success. Macaiah laughed 159 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 1: at the request and shook his head. He patted the 160 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 1: messenger on the shoulder and said, I will say what 161 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: God says, no more, no less, and with that he 162 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: made his way to the palace. Macaiah entered into the 163 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 1: palace doors. The four hundred prophets lined the walls like 164 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 1: flies to sugar. The torches were lit and there was 165 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 1: music playing. Clearly Ahab wanted to gain favor from his 166 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:40,080 Speaker 1: new friend, the King of Judah. Macaiah looked around and 167 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:43,200 Speaker 1: saw the king sitting on his throne. His robes were 168 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 1: draped over the throne, and he was clothed in fine 169 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 1: linens and gold. His flashiness disgusted Macaiah. The king glared 170 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:54,079 Speaker 1: at him. No doubt Macaiah had only been summoned because 171 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:57,480 Speaker 1: King Jehosaphat was a man of integrity. Why else would 172 00:10:57,520 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 1: he be asked to give counsel. Ahabs that upright and 173 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 1: asked a question for all to hear. Macaiah, should we 174 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 1: go to war against Raymuth Gilead or should I stay back. 175 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 1: Macaiah was entertained by the question. He smiled and did 176 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: his best to initiate the pandering tone of the other prophets, 177 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:20,319 Speaker 1: and said, ah yes, my Lord and King, you shall 178 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:23,800 Speaker 1: be victorious as you are in all your ways. Go 179 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:27,840 Speaker 1: and be brave. Then he bowed as a close to 180 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: his small performance. Ahab teened with anger. How many times 181 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: must I demand you speak the truth to me with 182 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 1: these matters, Ahab replied sharply. Macaiah's entertained face grew darker. 183 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:45,120 Speaker 1: He sighed and pointed intently at Ahab. I have seen 184 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 1: a vision in Israel, he said. I saw the children 185 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:51,720 Speaker 1: of Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep without a shepherd. 186 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:55,200 Speaker 1: The Lord then spoke to me and said, their master 187 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:59,320 Speaker 1: has been killed. Send them home in peace. Macaiah then 188 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 1: shrugged his holders and began to turn back. Ahab leaned 189 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 1: over to the King of Judah and said, what did 190 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 1: I tell you? He never prophesies in my favor. This 191 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 1: instance is no different from the rest. Upon hearing Ahab, 192 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:17,080 Speaker 1: Macaiah turned around and said, listen to me. Now, I 193 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:19,439 Speaker 1: saw the Lord sitting on his throne with the armies 194 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:23,439 Speaker 1: of heaven surrounding him. The Lord spoke clearly and asked 195 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,560 Speaker 1: all of his armies, who will go forth and entice 196 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: King Ahab to be killed. So a spirit came and said, 197 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 1: I will send him prophets to tell him a victory. 198 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 1: So believe me when I say that the Lord has 199 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 1: put lying mouths in these prophets of yours to lead 200 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:45,439 Speaker 1: you into your death. As Macaiah was speaking, another prophet 201 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: came up to him and slapped him across the face. 202 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:51,080 Speaker 1: Since when did God's spirit leave me to speak to you, 203 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 1: he said. Macaiah spat out some blood from his mouth 204 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:57,480 Speaker 1: and peered up at him. You will see soon enough, 205 00:12:58,080 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: when you are hiding like a dog in your day 206 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 1: arrest him. Ahab yelled, put him in prison and feed 207 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 1: him nothing but bread and water until I return from 208 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 1: my battle. That's if you return. Machaiah yelled, as he 209 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 1: was being bound by the palace guards. Mark my words, 210 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:17,839 Speaker 1: if you return from that battle, it means the Lord 211 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:21,079 Speaker 1: does not speak through me. And with those last words, 212 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 1: Macaiah was taken away. Despite Jehosaphat's reservation, the two armies 213 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 1: marched into battle. The next week. When the two armies 214 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:34,880 Speaker 1: met to descend into Raymouth Gilead, Ahab turned to Jehosaphat 215 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 1: and said, you continue to wear your royal armor, but 216 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:41,679 Speaker 1: I will disguise myself so nobody knows I am king. 217 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:46,160 Speaker 1: So Ahab disguised himself, knowing full well the Syrians would 218 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: want to kill him. Meanwhile, on the other side of 219 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:52,239 Speaker 1: the battlefield, the King of Syrius said to his commanders, 220 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 1: I do not want much bloodshed to day. Attack only 221 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: the King of Israel. Do not bother with anyone else. 222 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 1: So the battle again. The alliance of Judah and Israel 223 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:06,959 Speaker 1: charged at the Syrians. Metal and bone clashed on the battlefield, 224 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 1: and the Syrians were intent on getting to the back 225 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 1: of the battle to get the king. When they saw 226 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 1: Jehosaphat and his royal armor, they mistook him for King 227 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: Ahab and charged. Jehosaphat's eyes widened as he saw a 228 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 1: sea of soldiers pursuing him. He planted his feet in 229 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 1: the ground and prepared for their attack. But the lord 230 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 1: saved him, and as soon as the chariots drew close 231 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:33,400 Speaker 1: to him, they realized it was not Ahad. It started Meanwhile, 232 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 1: Ahab was disguised as a normal soldier in the back 233 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 1: of the battlefield. He fought very little, making sure to 234 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 1: preserve his own safety. A barrage of arrows were suddenly 235 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 1: shot in Ahab's direction and he was struck in his side. 236 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 1: Ahab writhed in pain on the floor. He called to 237 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: his chariot and yelled, get me out of here. I 238 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:55,120 Speaker 1: am wounded. So the servant propped him up on the 239 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: chariot and began to weave through the battle to escape. 240 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:01,720 Speaker 1: The battle raged on violently as the Syrians looked for 241 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:05,080 Speaker 1: ay have However, as the sun was setting and the 242 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: battle was raging, Ahab died his chariot. In today's scripture, 243 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 1: we read of a story of two kingdoms and two 244 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 1: very different kings. Jehosaphat was the son of Asa, King 245 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 1: of Judah, and like his father and his forefather David 246 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 1: before him, Jehosaphat was a righteous king who earnestly sought 247 00:15:30,720 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 1: the Lord's favor, and he not only sought favor for himself. 248 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 1: He acted in the best interests of the people of Judah, 249 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 1: tearing down idols, not only in the prominent cities, but 250 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: in the dark recesses of the desert where evil tried 251 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 1: to hide. His example is one we should follow, seeking 252 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: to root out any idolatry in our life, all false 253 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 1: gods and false ideologies, even those that we try to 254 00:15:56,640 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 1: hide in our own life. God looked favorably upon Jehosaphat 255 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 1: and blessed him and his nation with peace, prosperity, and prominence. 256 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:10,160 Speaker 1: Among the neighboring nations. Jehosaphat and Judah stood in stark 257 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:14,240 Speaker 1: contrast to Israel and King Ahab to the north. Any 258 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 1: change of heart or repentance from Ahab seemed to be 259 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: now gone, and he continued to lead people in the 260 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: worship of bail and giving his ear to false prophets. 261 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 1: Once again, he disobeys God. King Jehosaphat desired peace, especially 262 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 1: with his northern neighbors, so he forged an alliance with 263 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:36,400 Speaker 1: Ahab through the marriage of his son to Ahab's daughter. 264 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: Thus ended the conflict between these two nations, Israel and Judah. 265 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 1: Ahab knew that Judah's army was strong and capable, and 266 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 1: after a few years he approached Jehosaphat for help defeating 267 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 1: Syria and reclaiming land and possessions the Syrians had taken 268 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:59,520 Speaker 1: from Israel. And though Jehosaphat wanted peace and to avoid war, 269 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 1: he knew it would be right to support his ally, 270 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:06,920 Speaker 1: so he agreed to help. But he wisely told Ahab 271 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,080 Speaker 1: that they must first seek the Lord's guidance, to seek 272 00:17:10,119 --> 00:17:12,600 Speaker 1: God's counsel to see if the battle was one God 273 00:17:12,640 --> 00:17:15,879 Speaker 1: would give victory. For Ahab, the battle seemed to be 274 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:18,680 Speaker 1: no problem, for he had hundreds of men who would 275 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:22,200 Speaker 1: gladly tell him whatever he wanted to hear. Ay have 276 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 1: then summoned these pagan prophets, and as he sat with Jehosaphat, 277 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 1: these men came before him and spoke only of victory, 278 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 1: saying God would be the king. But Jehosaphat had a 279 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 1: discerning heart, and he wanted to be sure these were 280 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 1: in fact God's words, so he says in First King 281 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,720 Speaker 1: twenty two seven, is there not here another prophet of 282 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:47,679 Speaker 1: the Lord of whom we may inquire? This is a 283 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 1: huge reminder for us today that we must always be 284 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:56,320 Speaker 1: discerning and wise concerning so called spiritual advice. The Bible 285 00:17:56,400 --> 00:18:00,080 Speaker 1: says we are to test the spirits to see if 286 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: they are from God. Ahab surely was frustrated because he 287 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 1: knew his prophetic yes men did not convince Jehoshaphat. He 288 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:12,800 Speaker 1: knew of a prophet who indeed spoke from God and 289 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 1: for God, but he didn't want to hear this, so 290 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 1: he called for Macaiah to come to him, even though 291 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:23,879 Speaker 1: he never gave him a favorable word from God. As 292 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:28,040 Speaker 1: they waited for his arrival, more false prophets continued their spectacle, 293 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:31,840 Speaker 1: trying to prop up the king. But when the prophet 294 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:35,400 Speaker 1: arrived the real prophet, the word he brought was ultimately 295 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 1: much different. He revealed a vision from God of sheep 296 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:42,040 Speaker 1: scattered on the hill and their master having been killed. 297 00:18:42,960 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: After Ahab rejected this prophet, Macaiah turned around and spoke 298 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:50,439 Speaker 1: in clear terms, telling him God had sent him false 299 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,080 Speaker 1: prophets to entice him to war so that he would 300 00:18:53,119 --> 00:18:58,359 Speaker 1: be killed. Yet even with this knowledge, Ahab insisted on 301 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 1: going to war, but rather than bravely entering the battle 302 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:05,880 Speaker 1: as king, he tried to disguise himself while he made 303 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:10,119 Speaker 1: Jehosaphat dress in royal garb and mount his horse. In 304 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:14,159 Speaker 1: the end, however, none of his schemes mattered, because the 305 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:18,680 Speaker 1: Lord's plans will never fail. Jehosaphat, the Righteous King, was 306 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:21,720 Speaker 1: spared from death, while Ahab was struck down by the 307 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:25,880 Speaker 1: enemy's arrows and died in his chariot. Next time, we'll 308 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 1: learn more about this god fearing righteous king of Judah, 309 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:35,199 Speaker 1: whose name is Jehosaphat. Dear Lord, help us always to 310 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:37,679 Speaker 1: listen to you and not to others who may speak 311 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 1: for you but in fact tell lies. You have told 312 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:46,160 Speaker 1: us that we should discern truth from era, righteousness from unrighteousness, 313 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:49,359 Speaker 1: and your word, the word of God for the words 314 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:52,399 Speaker 1: of men. Help us always to test the spirits to 315 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 1: see that they are from you, and trust and obey 316 00:19:55,800 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: your counsel as we fight spiritual battles. In your name. Amen, 317 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:04,000 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year 318 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 1: podcast I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me 319 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 1: encourage you to download the Prey dot com app and 320 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:14,919 Speaker 1: always make Bible reading and Bible study a priority in 321 00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 1: your life along with prayer. If you enjoyed this podcast, 322 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 1: share it with someone you love. Let someone know because 323 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:25,040 Speaker 1: by sharing this podcast you can truly make a difference 324 00:20:25,040 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 1: in someone's life. And if you want more resources from me, 325 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:31,600 Speaker 1: Jack Graham as to how you can grow in your 326 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:36,000 Speaker 1: Christian life, then go to Jack Graham dot org. That's 327 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:45,159 Speaker 1: Jack Graham dot org. God bless you. This episode is 328 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 1: sponsored by Mediciane, an innovative healthcare solution for Christians to 329 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:52,160 Speaker 1: save money without sacrificing quality.