September 22, 2013
Scripture:
Scripture:
Hymn 370 - Yield not to temptation
Prayer
Last time we began to look at king Jehoshaphat. He was king of Judah at the time that Ahab was king of Israel. We also talked about the importance of choosing friends wisely. There are different levels of friends: there are acquaintances, such as co-workers or classmates. There are people who are friends that you know a little better; and finally there are good friends, those you go to for help and advice. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, we are told not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. This does not mean we cannot talk with those that are not Christians, but that we need to watch who we make our closest friends. Today we will see consequences that came to Jehoshaphat when he became good friends with the ungodly king of Israel, Ahab.
2 Chronicles 18:6-34
Jehoshaphat was attending a feast with Ahab, when Ahab asked for his help in a battle against Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat agreed, but it seems that afterwards he wasn’t too sure if it was God’s will; so he asked for a prophet’s advice. Ahab called four hundred of his favourite prophets; they were his favourites because they always gave him a good report. Jehoshaphat didn’t think that what these prophets were saying was right, so he asked if there was any prophet of God. Ahab told Jehoshaphat that there was one, but he never gave Ahab good news. The prophet was called and he prophesied that Ahab was going to be killed in the battle. Even after hearing this, Ahab still wanted to go into battle. Ahab decided to dress himself like a soldier, because the opposition’s objective was to kill Ahab.
Jehoshaphat was in a tough spot: he was going out to battle looking like the only king. The Syrians encircled Jehoshaphat to kill him. Jehoshaphat prayed to God for deliverance and was saved. We see that the Lord helped Jehoshaphat even though he was in a place that he should not have been. He should not have made friends with king Ahab.
The battle continued; a Syrian soldier shot an arrow in the thick of the battle and it hit Ahab in a joint in his armour. Just as the prophet of God had said, Ahab died. Even though he decided himself, the Lord was over it and he died. But Jehoshaphat was safe.
From the life of Jehoshaphat, we learn that we should never make very close friendships with those of the world. However, we should be a light to all those that we interact with.
Acts 2:14:36
Some of the people in this crowd listening to the disciples had no doubt helped insult the Lord; and their rulers crucified Him. Jesus died, but God raised Him from the dead and made Him Lord and Christ. He reversed what the people had done.
The disciples were doing amazing things, showing that something had happened to them. Each man heard the wonderful works of God in His own language. Some mocked and said that the disciples were drunk, but Peter stood up with the eleven and said that it wasn’t so. He quoted Joel 2:28-32 to them, not saying that they were in the last days, but that as God would pour out His Spirit generally on all men—Jews, Gentiles, young, old, men, women—in the last days; so He was pouring out His Spirit on one hundred and twenty people there in Jerusalem. We still wait for Joel’s prophecy to be fulfilled, but what God will do in a big way then He did in a small way for these believers.
Peter went on to tell the crowd about Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is a despised name, and Nazareth was a despised place; but Peter didn’t try to be impressive by calling Him the Son of God. He called Him, “Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you.” He told of the Lord in His humanity, and His ministry. He told them that God worked miracles through the Lord. John 7:31, 15:21-24. Christ was the instrument that God used.
Those who crucified the Lord fulfilled what God had predetermined. Though it looked like man was in charge on that dark day, it was actually God’s greatest act of love and man’s worst evil deed. Men tried to get rid of Jesus, but God raised Him from the dead. The wages of sin is death, and Christ paid that; but once it was paid, there was no more reason for Him to remain dead, so God brought Him back to life.
Peter brought up another Old Testament reference: Psalm 16:25-28. This is what we call the psalm of the dependent man. David wrote it, under inspiration, about the Lord. God had determined that Jesus would die, but had also determined that He would not leave Him in death. The Father raised Jesus from the grave by His mighty power, not letting His body see corruption.
Peter was intimidated by a maid on the night of the Lord’s betrayal, but now is challenging crowds in the town square. It was being filled with the Holy Spirit that made such a difference. Just as God worked through His Son, so He worked through Peter. May we yield ourselves as instruments in His hand.
It’s interesting to see how the Bible cross-references itself. God knew that Peter would need to quote these prophecies, so He had them written years before.
Hymn 82 – Ere God had built the mountains
Prayer