Guarding the Affections of the Heart
I am off to an early start with my day. I have a morning workout, a lunch commitment and then a planned trip to Denver. I will spend the night with Christian and Bridget before returning home to Fort Collins tomorrow. So instead of an evening post, I find myself writing first thing in the morning.
I have always enjoyed or been fascinated by reading the accounts of the Kings of Judah and Israel. I believe there are many lesson and observations we can take from their history. I’m not sure what all of those lessons are. So my blog today will hopefully challenge you to consider “lessons learned” from King Jehoshaphat and perhaps come up with your own “take aways.”
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Jehu son of Hanani, a seer, went out to meet him [Jehoshaphat] and said to the king, “Why did you help evil people? Why do you love those who hate the Lord? That is the reason the Lord is angry with you. But there is some good in you.” 2 Chronicles 19:2,3 NCV
These words of the prophet were spoke to Jehoshaphat as he returned from battle with King Ahab of Israel. He had barely escaped with his life and I’m sure his heart was still racing and he was still catching his breathe, when confronted by Jehu.
The reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah has more detail recorded in the Bible than almost any other king. He was faithful to the Lord in most of his activity during his life. We read about him, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he lived as his ancestor David had lived when he first became king…He obeyed God’s commands and did not live as the people of Israel lived. The Lord made Jehoshaphat a strong king over Judah.” (2 Chronicles 17:3-5 NCV)
What is of interest is Jehoshaphat’s connection and friendship with King Ahab of Israel. Jehoshaphat’s father had been attacked by previous kings of Israel and the relationship between the two countries had been rocky. For some reason Jehoshaphat reaches out to King Ahab and makes an alliance and their families are joined in marriage. This creates an “unholy” alliance that resulted in a chain of events over the next few generations. When Ahab’s son began to rule Jehoshaphat continued in an alliance with Israel which, “was the wrong thing to do.” (2 Chron. 20:35 NCV)
After Jehoshaphat’s death, his son, Jehoram became King. Jehoram was married to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. So he followed the ways of Israel instead of following the Lord. After Jehoram, his son Ahaziah became King.
At the same time the Lord had the prophet anointed Jehu as King over Israel to execute judgment on the evil family of Ahab. The included killing Ahaziah who was in Israel visiting his relative the King of Israel. The chaos the ensued allowed Athaliah, the “Queen mother” daughter of Jezebel, to grab power in Judah. She killed all the royal family in an action of evil that was from her mother’s “playbook.” This was the only time the reign of one of David’s son was broken in Judah.
However the dynasty of King David was saved when Joash was saved by his aunt and kept hidden in the Temple for six years, before being anointed as a child King. The dynasty of David was saved and King Joash under the direction of Jehoiada the priest, returned Judah to follow the Lord and repaired the Lord’s Temple.
An interesting history and chain of events. It all started when King Jehoshaphat, while a good and godly King, compromised and made an alliance with one of the most wicked Kings in Israel’s history. Perhaps Jehoshaphat’s intentions were noble. Perhaps they just weren’t out of securing peace, but perhaps in hopes that he could influence Israel’s King and restore peace between the two nations of the Lord’s people. But his actions did not have the direction and blessings of the Lord.
The most basic lesson that I see in all of this is, the importance of guarding the affections of our heart. What we value, what we “love,” what we commit to, is all important in our life. It can impact our obedience to the Lord and not only our lives, but the lives of future generations.
Solomon said, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10) I recall many years ago hearing a definition of “the fear of the Lord.” It says, “the fear of the Lord is loving what God loves and hating what God hates.” Jehoshaphat was condemned for “loving those the Lord hates.” This has to do with our heart, our actions, our attitudes. Proverbs 6:16 lists six things the Lord “hates.” The issue not just “people” but the character of those we align ourselves with.
The caution Paul writes about is important for us to consider, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV) Paul as warns, Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
I recall a leadership expert making the comment, “those closest to you determines your success.” This observation tends to reinforce the principles of scripture. We have a call to be an influence for good, but not to partner with “evil.” That is the perspective that is needed for our lives that will keep us on the right track. It not only makes a difference in our lives, but potentially in future generations as well.