2 Chronicles 18

“Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab. After some years he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria; and Ahab killed sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people who were with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead. So Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, ‘Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?’ And he answered him, ‘I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war.’ Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, ‘Please inquire for the word of the Lord today.’” 2 Chronicles 18:1-4 (NKJV)

There is a tendency in our culture to compartmentalize our faith. Our actions and ideas say to God that He is welcome to speak into religious aspects of our lives, but there are other areas where we feel that we know better and where the Bible seems out-of-step with the “real world.” The Bible warns us against such a notion.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)

Jehoshaphat obviously felt that God had His place, but when it came to politics, he chose to strengthen Judah by marrying into the pagan Israelite royal family. His statement of allegiance to his pagan relatives was exactly the opposite of Ruth’s words when she left her Moabite culture and gods to follow Naomi back to Bethlehem, saying, “Your people are my people; your God is my God.” (Ruth 1:16)

Jehoshaphat’s decision is akin to the type of compromise we should avoid; in seeking to develop friendships with the world, we pit ourselves against God. Jehoshaphat’s “family planning” led him to the verge of war. Interestingly, he did not seek the Lord concerning marrying into a pagan family, but when the stakes rose to warfare, he felt that decision should fall into the compartment where he had stuffed the Lord. When you are hanging out with carnal Christians, your definition of “prophet” falls tragically short of the Bible’s standard.

“Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, ‘Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?’ So they said, ‘Go up, for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.’ But Jehoshaphat said, ‘Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?’ So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.’ And Jehoshaphat said, ‘Let not the king say such things!’”  2 Chronicles 18:5-7 (NKJV)

In all things, we must seek God’s Word and live according to it.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7 (NKJV)