2nd of January, 2022

23rd writeup overall. 2nd in the year 2022

Happy first Sunday of the year my fellow readcasher. Slowly the euphoria of the holidays is dwindling as the weekday start tomorrow. But well it is still Sunday so let bask in the joy of witnessing the first Sunday of the year

Hey amigo come and journey with me as we look and discuss the life of a man whose name is my username.

Jehoshaphat is an Hebrew name meaning "Jehovah or Yahweh has judged". The name can also be spelt alternatively as Jehosaphat, Josaphat, or Yehoshafat.

There are quite a few number of men who bear the name Jehoshaphat in the bible but they are only briefly mentioned. The most written about and the most famous is no other than Jehoshaphat the son of Asa and the fourth king of the kingdom of Judah.

As it was recorded in the second book of Kings chapter 22 vs 42; Jehoshaphat became the King of Judah at the age of 35 after the death of his father King Asa.

Jehoshaphat like his father Asa choosed to walk in the way of the Lord and follow his commandments. He removed all signs of idolatry from the land of Judah. He also made sure that the law of the Lord was taught by the priests and Levites in every cities in Judah.

Because Jehoshaphat kept to God's commandments he was blessed with wealth and the surrounding kingdom came to respect him. As recorded in 2 Chronicles 17: 10

The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat

The first lesson

The first lesson we can learn from the life of king Jehoshaphat is that by choosing to follow the way of the Lord. God's protection and blessing would come our way.

Became friend with the ungodly.

Remember that the kingdom of Israel and Judah was once together but got splitted during the reign of King Rehoboam who was King Jehoshaphat great grandfather. (you can read about it here https://read.cash/@Jehoshaphat/who-is-your-adviser-2267fc4e ). Ever since then there has always been conflict between the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah

King Jehoshaphat decided to mend the rift between the two Kingdoms by allowing his son to marry Athaliah, the daughter of king Ahab of Israel. Unlike Jehoshaphat king Ahab wasn't god-fearing and he was an idolator a d his wife was a Baal worshipper named Jezebel

One day King Jehoshaphat went to Samaria the capital of Israel to visit king Ahab. During his stay king Ahab persuaded him to join in a war against Ramoth-Gilead. Jehoshaphat agreed.

Before the war began King Ahab told Jehoshaphat that he would disguise to hide the fact he was the king but Jehoshaphat should put on his on kingly robes. As the war intensifies the opposition King order his soldiers to make sure they kill the King of Israel. When the enemy soldiers saw Jehoshaphat they thought he was King Ahab and all the enemy armies surrounded him to attack him.

Jehoshaphat at that point realized his foolishness and cried unto God for him to be delivered. God answered his prayers and they soldiers in his pursuit realized he wasn't the king of Israel.

In the battle king Ahab was struck by an enemy arrow and he died from his wound.

Jehoshaphat returned safely to his house in Jerusalem and God sent a prophet to rebuke him for being an ally of king Ahab.

Second Lesson

Avoid ungodly people because they would make you sin and put you into trouble.

Victory over the Moabites and ammonites

Much a later after the brouhaha that happened in Ramoth-Gilead. The kingdom of Moab formed a confederation with other kingdoms to wage war against Judah.

When Jehoshaphat heard of the approaching army he gathered all the people of Judah and together they prayed to the Lord to deliver them from the approaching enemies. God answered their prayers and through the mouth of Jahaziel God sent a message which can be found in 2 Chronicles 20: 15. He said:

King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s

God indeed fought the battle for them for He made the approaching enemy armies quarrel among themselves and they killed one another.

Third lesson

Just like Jehoshaphat always ask God for help before beginning any task. Because by no strength shall any man prevail but by God's will

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I hope you do find this article interesting and educative.

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