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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

We continue our series on “People of the Bible” and the series within the series on “The Old Testament Prophets Of God”.

We have looked at some well-known Bible personalities and as well as some not so well known Bible personalities.

We have said there are some Bible characters who might be unknown or little known to us, but their stories are significant in God’s plan and purpose in history.

In the last two messages, we saw that truth in the Prophet Macaiah who only had one brief prophecy recorded in the Scriptures as he prophesied to Ahab, King of Israel, and Jehosophat, King of Judah, concerning going to battle with Syria for Ramoth-Gilead.

Tonight we see this truth in three more prophets who prophesied to Jehosophat–Jehu, Jahaziel, and Eliezer.

I.         THE MESSAGE FROM JEHU TO JEHOSOPHAT. (2 Chronicles 19:1-3)

Jehoshaphat returned safe and uninjured from the war in which Ahab had lost his life.

But on his return, the seer Jehu, the son of Hanani, met him with a reproving word.

Now understand Jehu could have been reluctant to reprove Jehosophat because his own father, Hanani, had been thrown into the stocks for reproving King Asa (16:7ff.).

            A.        Jehu reproved Jehosaphat for having helped ungodly Ahab.

As a matter of mere human reasoning, the conduct of Jehoshaphat in joining Ahab against the Syrians was not only justifiable but might have even seemed to be the wise and prudent thing to do.

But from God’s standpoint, Ahab was an idolater, and had introduced into his kingdom a false religion of a new and most degraded type. This should have led Jehoshaphat to reject his alliance. Military success could only come from the blessing and protection of the LORD. Ahab was not in a position to receive God’s blessing or protection and Jehosophat should have recognized that.

            B.        Jehu told Jehosophat that the wrath of the LORD was upon him.

Jehoshaphat had already had a taste of this wrath, when in the battle for Ramoth-Gilead, the enemy pressed upon him (2 Chronicles 18:31).

At a later time he would have further experience of it, partly during his own life, when the enemy invaded his land (2 Chronicles 20:1ff).

            C.        Jehu told Jehosophat that there were some good things found in him.

He had taken away the groves out of the land and had at least prepared his heart to seek God.

                        So we see a simple message and warning to the King of Judah from Jehu.

II.       THE MESSAGE FROM JEHU WORKING IN JEHOSOPHAT.

            We see that, at least for a period of time, Jehosophat allowed God’s message to sink in:

            A.        He Brought The People Back To The Lord God Of Their Fathers. (19:4)

            B.        He Set Up And Instructed Judges In The Land. (19: 5-7)

            C.        He Set Up And Instructed The Levites, The Priests, And The Elders At Jerusalem. (19: 8-11)

            D.        He Humbled Himself And Set Himself To Seek The LORD And Proclaimed A Fast Throughout The Land. (20:1-13)

III.      THE MESSAGE FROM JAHAZIEL TO JEHOSOPHAT. (20:14-17)

            A.        Be Not Afraid Or Dismayed By The Greatness Or Size Of The Enemy. (20:14-15)

We may not fight a flesh and blood enemy army, but every day according to Ephesians 6:12 we battle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

            B.        The Battle Is Not Yours, But God’s. (20:15)

We need to remember, as believers, we have God’s Spirit in us. If we yield ourselves to God and ask for God’s help when we face struggles, God will fight for us. And God always triumphs.

                        How do we let God fight for us?

                        1.         By realizing the battle is not ours, but God’s.

                        2.         By recognizing human limitations and allowing God’s strength to work through our fears and weaknesses.

                        3.         By making sure we are pursuing God’s interests and not just our own selfish desires.

                        4.         By asking God for help in our daily battles.

            C.        God Gave Instructions For Them To Obey. (20:16-17)

IV.      THE MESSAGE FROM JAHAZIEL WORKING IN JEHOSOPHAT. (20:18-30)

            A.        He Humbled Himself And Worshiped the LORD And All Of Judah Did The Same. (20:18-19)

            B.        He Consulted With The People To Believe In (i.e. Obey) The LORD And His Prophets. (20:20)

            C.        He Appointed Singers To Sing And To Praise The Lord. (20:21-22)

            D.        God Gave Them Victory. (20:23-25)

            E.        They Blessed The LORD. (20:26)

            F.        They Joyed In The LORD. (20:27-28)

            G.       The LORD Gave Them Peace. (20:29-30)

V.        JEHOSOPHAT’S DOWNFALL. (20:31-36)

            A.        Incomplete Separation. (Vs 31-33)

            B.        Unholy Alliances. (Vs 34-36)

VI.      THE MESSAGE FROM ELIEZER TO JEHOSOPHAT. (20:37)

            A.        He Prophesied Against Jehoshaphat.

            B.        The Ships Were Broken.

            C.        Jehosophat Died. (21:1)

Conclusion

So we see these three prophets of God who faithfully delivered their messages to Jehosophat.

God also has a word for this generation that we live in. The message is found in this book–The Bible.

We must also be faithful to proclaim the Word of God to those in our generation.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!