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2 Chronicles 19

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Verses 1-3, “Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, 'Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you. Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.' ”

It was only by God's mercy and grace that Jehoshaphat was able to return to his house. Remember that because his father Asa trusted in man over God, they would not have victory over the Syrian army. Despite any good that he had done, the son of Hanani the seer would be used by God to confront the sin in Jehoshaphat's heart...he loved those who hated the Lord.  James 4:4, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”  You too may be guilty of this sin if you try to make yourself friends of sinners. We are called to share the truth of the word with them, but our love for peace with them may just interfere with our obedience to God's word on how to deal with them (confronting sin and separating ourselves if they won't yield to the truth).

We also should not tolerate (or cooperate with them in their endeavors) false teachers whose aim is to draw people away from the truth, but rather we are called to mark them and avoid them. Too often political correctness or the guise of grace prevents us from using discernment. If we put up with these people, we are contributing to the continuation of their evil cause, and will be accountable.  II John 1:7‭-‬11, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”

Verses 4-11, “So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord God of their fathers. Then he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, 'Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for there  is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.' Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the Lord and for controversies, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem. And he commanded them, saying, 'Thus you shall act in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and with a loyal heart: Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the Lord and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty. And take notice: Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters; also the Levites will be officials before you. Behave courageously, and the Lord will be with the good.' ”

After being rebuked, Jehoshaphat encouraged others to come back to the Lord. He also focused on God's laws, making sure that they would be enforced by God-fearing judges. This would contribute greatly to the spiritual health of the land. Spiritual leaders are responsible to warn so that God's wrath does not come upon them for contributing to their sin; but if they do warn the leaders are no longer guilty. Notice how our country has changed laws over time, departing from Biblical standards, and our spiritual health as a nation has declined horribly. We would be much better off living under God's rule, than letting the majority rule. Jeremiah 17 tells us the the heart of man is more deceitful than anything...desperately wicked. Why would you even want to elect the best of the wicked to rule over you? The next batch of political leaders are not going to save us. Our only hope is the next Kingdom, with Jesus reigning as King.

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