Jehoshaphat: His recovery
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 (2 Chronicles 19:4).
We have seen that Jehoshaphat was a king who delighted to do the will of God. We have also seen the serious mistakes he made in allying himself to Ahab, king of Israel, which almost cost him his life. But his failure teaches us some vital spiritual lessons. It teaches us about the power of prayer in desperate situations. When Jehoshaphat’s life was in grave danger, he cried to the Lord, and the Lord rescued him. We learn that, despite his unfaithfulness towards God, God remained faithful to him.
On his return to Jerusalem, God spoke to him through the prophet, Jehu. Jehoshaphat wasn’t like Ahab, who resisted Elijah’s ministry and punished faithful Micaiah. Jehoshaphat teaches us about the importance of receiving God’s rebuke when we get things wrong. Proverbs explain that
Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honoured (Proverbs 13:18).
and
Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge (19:25).
Jehoshaphat accepted God’s rebuke and learned from it. We appreciate the praise of friends, but we often resent rebuke and allow it to cast a cloud over friendships. Proverbs also teaches that “a friend loves at all times” (17:17) and, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (27:6). We should thank God for friends who always have our good at heart and challenge us when we need to be challenged. We have no greater friend than the Lord, and like Jehoshaphat, we should receive rebukes with grace and the determination to learn from them. Also we should not allow rebukes to undermine our service because our mistakes make us feel unworthy. Jehoshaphat didn’t feel like that. He took the rebuke and immediately returned to serving God with renewed vigour.
God’s discipline has a purpose. It is proof of His love for us (Hebrews 12:6) and His desire to use us. The Lord Jesus restored Peter in John 21 and called him to become a shepherd to Christ’s flock. Interestingly, we have the same outcome in Jehoshaphat’s life as once again he prepared his heart to seek God. Immediately the king visited his people, from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord God of their fathers. He set judges to oversee the welfare of God’s people. And he ensured the judges were faithful in their service to God: “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord” (see verses 6-10). Jehoshaphat learned from God’s discipline. His experience of God’s love and care for him characterised his love and care for his people. He had learned to act in the fear of the Lord, and encouraged his servants to serve God faithfully and with a loyal heart (v. 9).
Like Jehoshaphat, may we know that,
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand (Psalm 37:23-24).
