“The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father’s early years and did not worship the images of Baal. He sought his father’s God and obeyed his commands instead of following the evil practices of the kingdom of Israel … He was deeply committed to the ways of the LORD. He removed the pagan shrines and Asherah poles from Judah” (NLT) 2 Chronicles 17:3-4, 6).

Jehoshaphat took a leaf from the book of his father Asa during the early years of the latter’s reign. Like his father, he started his reign by rejecting idol worship and all evil practices in Israel. He removed the pagan shrines and Asherah poles. Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab (2 Chronicles 18) was quite similar to his father’s alliance with Ben-hadad (2 Chronicles 16:3).

Nevertheless unlike Asa, whose point of departure from the Lord came through his alliance, Jehoshaphat remained committed to the Lord. We can glean three lessons from Jehoshaphat’s rare commitment:

His decision to follow his father’s good works

Jehoshaphat had the benefit of hindsight from his father’s life to guide him. He knew the untold blessings the Lord showered on his father when he trusted Him. Again, he knew of the tragic death of his father when he departed from God. Jehoshaphat shunned the bad example of his father and learnt the good.

“Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God” (NLT) 3 John 11.

His decision to consult God in all matters

There was no doubt that the Lord wasn't pleased with Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab (2 Chronicles 19:2). The former might have done that out of familial love. However, unlike his father, Jehoshaphat admonished Ahab to seek God’s approval before he wages war in Ramoth-gilead (2 Chronicles 18:4). This shows Jehoshaphat’s instinctual reverence for the Lord’s word. It is no wonder that the Lord realised his good heart and gave him another chance (2 Chronicles 19:3). Proverbs 4:23 admonishes us to guide our hearts with all diligence. May I suggest to you dear reader that, the most diligent way to guard your heart in order to remain committed to Him is by hiding His word in your heart.

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (NLT) Psalm 119:11

His obedience to God’s word

Unlike his father, when Jehoshaphat was rebuked by the seer, he admitted his wrong and decided to amend his ways and re-commit himself to the Lord (2 Chronicles 19:4). It is very possible that in the course of time, we may derail in our commitment to the Lord but we should always have the attitude of Jehoshaphat and return to the Lord. Stiff-neckedness will only destroy us beyond redemption.

“Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery” (NLT) Proverbs 29:1

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