1 Kings 22:4 Ahab asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?.
Jehoshaphat, was a God fearing King of Judah who ruled with humility and honesty. God had given him a great victory against his enemies the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites however, in the latter years of his rule, he allied with the wicked king Ahab and his son Ahaziah. 1 Chronicle 20:35 Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made a treaty with Ahaziah king of Israel, which was a wrong thing to do. The Lord warned Jehoshaphat through a prophet not to join hands with the wicked but Jehoshaphat brought curse upon himself, his heritage and kingdom by wrong friendships, silly decisions and ungodly ties. “Jehoshaphat, because you joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made” (1 Chronicles 20:37).
The allies, collaborations, partnerships, friendships and ties that we find ourselves to will determine our success, progress and victories. Proverbs 12:26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbour, But the way of the wicked leads them astray. The people we are associated with and listen to can misinform, misdirect and mislead us. Jehoshaphat muddled his glorious reign by a messy friendship. The one who has our ear has our heart. The downward trend for Jehoshaphat started the moment he got onto the wrong wagon.
We are in the wrong battle if we find ourselves associated with misleading, misinforming and misdirecting friendships:
1. Mislead: 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. The impact of crooked, corrupt and insensitive friendships will be very deceptive. A lie told often becomes the truth –Vladimir Lenin. Wrong company will feed wrong thoughts, twisted views and biased perceptions. Bad company will transfer wicked and wrong spirits into our home, health and heart. The kings were warned by a prophet not to go into battle but Jehoshaphat was lured into a battle that was not his by the misleading friendship. If the company we are in are callous and disobedient, it will lead us into rebellious battles that are lethal.
2. Misrepresent: Isaiah 5:20 They say that what is right is wrong and what is wrong is right; that black is white and white is black; bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. When we find ourselves in friendships that justify wrong, find excuses for silly mistakes and brush aside wickedness, we have jumped into a wrong battle. Jehoshaphat witnessed wicked Ahab imprisoning a righteous prophet yet, he proceeded with the battle. Calling right wrong, and wrong right is detestable to the Lord. Isaiah 5:25 That is why the anger of the Lord is hot against his people; that is why he has reached out his hand to smash them.
3. Misapprehend: Ahab not only misrepresented the word of the Lord but pushed Jehoshaphat to impersonate him. Standing in proxy for the unrighteous will result in calamity. Isaiah 5:24 God will deal with them and burn them. Their roots will rot and their flowers wither, for they have thrown away the laws of God and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Crafty and cruel Ahab, entered into a battle against Aram in disguise whereas he lured Jehoshaphat to go in kingly garments and Jehoshaphat was almost killed in the place of Ahab.
The battle of the wicked, crooked and cold-hearted are the consequence of their misdeeds. These are battles that we must stay away from as no one can stand against God and prevail.
Proverbs 6:27 Can a man scoop fire into his bosom without burning his clothes?
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