JEHOSHAPHAT’S COMPROMISE (2 KINGS 3:11-19) – PART 2: A PROPHET’S REBUKE FOR A COMPROMISER

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

Jehoshaphat’s compromise (2 Kings 3:11-19) – Part 2: A prophet’s rebuke for a compromiser

We are familiar with the Prophet Elisha and his ministry. His ministry is a unique one, it is a ministry of awakening the people of God from their deep spiritual slumber and apostasy. This is an era in the history of God’s people where a great number of miracles were witnessed. Whenever there was a need, such as a decision to go into battle, the kings of old would seek to know God’s will. It was a practice of the Israelites recorded in the Bible, since the time of Joshua and even through the age of Judges, whenever there was a great battle to be fought, the people will seek God’s will.

We have a clear example from the Bible account of the very first of Joshua’s battles. In the Book of Joshua 5:14, we have an encounter between Joshua and the captain of the host of the Lord, where Joshua sought the Lord’s will.  

“And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?” Joshua 5:14

So, it came naturally for the compromiser King Jehoshaphat at some point in the expedition to want to know what would be the Lord’s will because that will determine the outcome of the battle. As you can see, they had made a strategic error in choosing their route of approach to attack the Moabites. They had chosen a route that had no freshwater supply, “So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.” 2 Kings 3:9

A. The compromising King who panicked and began to seek God’s will

Though he was compromising his faith by allying himself with the idolatrous nation of King Jehoram, and the Edomites, Jehoshaphat knew enough not to trust the pagan prophets of the idol worshippers. It was then that King Jehoshaphat asked to have the oracle of a true “prophet of the Lord”, a holy man of the Lord Jehovah. They were in deep trouble, for an army without a water supply will be weakened and will disintegrate before the enemy.

“But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah. And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.” 2 Kings 3:11, 12

It was a move too late, this was but a panic reflex. King Jehoshaphat should have known it was not God’s will for him to be in alliance with the king of the idolatrous Northern kingdom and the pagan Edomite king. Dearly beloved, let us be mindful to seek God’s will when we are making decisions. Especially so when these decisions impact our spiritual lives and our testimony. Decisions like choosing the company we keep, the choice of a life partner, choosing a place of residence vis-à-vis our service and attendance in church, choosing the activities of our children, and of course choosing the way we spend our time and leisure. Let us not be like the compromising King Jehoshaphat who suddenly wanted to know God’s will when he found himself in a dire situation. Let us learn to seek God early in any aspect of our lives.  

B. A lesson for the compromiser, a sharp rebuke by the prophet of God

When Jehoshaphat knew that Elisha was available to give the word of God, the bible records that “And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.” 2 Kings 3:12. King Jehoshaphat had just enough spiritual sense to know that Elisha was a true prophet of God. But, the prophet Elisha saw the two kings, and he had some sharp words for King Jehoram the idolatrous son of the evil king Ahab.

“And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab. And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.” 2 Kings 3:13,14

The sharp rebuke of Elisha the prophet was directed at King Jehoram in the presence of King Jehoshaphat. Elisha said, “What have I to do with thee?” Surely the stinging words must have had an impact on King Jehoshaphat. He was in cahoots with an idolatrous king with whom the prophet of God would have nothing to do with. It is a precarious position to be in when God says to a person, “I have nothing to do with you.”

The foolish Jehoshaphat had made himself an ally with this idolater. Brothers and sisters, it is not without reason that the Bible teaches the doctrine of separation when it says,

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17,18.

Like King Jehoshaphat, those who compromise doctrinal truth for the sake of friendship, or partnership are disobeying the word of God and putting themselves in a hazardous position. Remember that God’s will is that His people remain separate from all manner of false doctrine, from sin and from worldliness. May God help us to be obedient to His word. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor