THE KING WHO WAS SHORT SIGHTED- Jehoshaphat

SERIES: REVIVAL KINGS OF JUDAH

TEXT: 2^ND CHRONICLES 17:1-20, 37.

Here we have a king who was very godly but he lacked the ability to see far. He was godly but not wise in the long term.

To be long-sighted means you can’t see clearly things that are close (you need glasses to read).

To be short-sighted means you cannot see clearly things that are far (you need glasses to drive).

To be both short-sighted and long-sighted is terrible, you are like a porcupine who backed into a cactus and said, “Pardon me honey.”

After the reign of king Solomon, the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms. Israel- the Northern kingdom-10 tribes. Judah- the southern kingdom-2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin).

The kingdom of Israel had 19 kings- all of them were bad, they did not follow God at all. The kingdom of Judah had 20 kings- 8 were good and 5 of the 8 were godly and we call them the revival kings.

These five revival kings were-Asa, Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat, Joash and Josiah.

These five were raised up by God to bring periods of revival and reformation to the nation.

The book of 1^st and 2^nd Kings and 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles overlap and cover the same period of history. They are similar yet different.

The kings present mainly and historical account of the two kingdoms chronicles presents “God’s view of history.”

2^nd Chronicles is “book about revival.” Each of these five kings who were godly represent different principles of revival or revelation or restoration.

• Asa-Obey God’s law.
• Jehoshaphat-Teaching the word.
• Joash-Paying what is due (restitution).
• Hezekiah-Cleansing the temple.
• Josiah-Return to hearing God’s word.

Jehoshaphat’s reign was the second great revival period after king Asa-2^nd Chron. 17-20. Let us see:-

THE REVIVAL OF JEHOSHAPHAT-2^nd 17.

Jehoshaphat means “God judges.”

1. God’s evaluation of Jehoshaphat-Vs. 1-6.

Vs. 3-He walked first ways of David.

Vs. 4-He sought God not idols or Baal.

Vs. 6-His heart sought God’s ways.

2. Teaching the word-Vs. 7-9.

• Until a church or a people go back to the word of God there will be no revival.
• One reason that expository preaching is best is that it teaches.

3. The results of Jehoshaphat’s revival-Vs. 10-19.

• Peace-Vs. 10.
• It affected others-Vs. 11.
• It brought material prosperity-Vs. 12.
• Material prosperity was evidence of God’s blessings.
• Protection-“mighty en of valor”-Vs. 13.

JEHOSHAPHAT’S COMPROMISE-Chap. 18

Vs. 1-“Affinity with King Ahab of Israel.”

• Jehoshaphat a godly king, went into alliance with the ungodly Ahab.
• Jehoshaphat loved God-Ahab hated God.
• Jehoshaphat believed God’s word, but Ahab hated God’s word.
• Jehoshaphat served God, Ahab served Baal.
• Compromise is destructive-2^nd 4:14.
• Jehoshaphat made 3 alliances with King Ahab.

1. A matrimonial alliance.

• He gave his son into marriage to the daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel.
• He made alliance with the most ungodly and wicked people in the Bible.

2. An economic alliance.

• He went into business with Ahab (building ships).
• God intervened and sunk the ships.

3. A military alliance.

• He went to war with Ahab against Syria-Jehoshaphat almost died-2^nd 18.
• King Jehoshaphat’s heart was towards God, Ahab’s heart was toward demonic god-Baal.

GOD’S GRACE TO JEHOSHAPHAT-2 Chro. 19.

• God looks into our hearts and sometime blesses us in spite our shortcomings.
• God’s mercy is “not getting what you deserve.
• God’s grace is greater than mercy you get what you don’t deserve.
• Since the death of Jesus Christ and resurrection the mercy seat has now become the throne of Grace.

JEHOSHAPHAT’S GREATEST VICTORY-2^nd 20.

1. Jehoshaphat’s problem-Vs. 1-5.
2. Jehoshaphat’s prayer-Vs. 6-12.
3. God’s answer-Vs. 15-17.
4. Jehoshaphat’s victory-Vs. 18-23.

CONCLUSION 1^st Chron. 20:31-33.

• Vs. 31-Jehoshaphat reigned in Judah 25 years.

• His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.

• Vs. 32-He walked in the way of his father Asa, he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
• Vs. 37. God destroyed Jehoshaphat’s economic works-ships were broken.
• Jehoshaphat was short-sighted. He could not see to the future. Actions and decisions have their consequences. Sins of today have results tomorrow.
• How about you? Are you short-sighted?