Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1911 — OLD TESTAMENT TIMES BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OLD TESTAMENT TIMES BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDIES

JEHOSHAPHAT’S ONE MISTAKE II Chronicles 17:1-13—January 29 "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God. and hi* righteousness; and all these things shall he added unto you."—Matt. 6:33. '7MY HILE Ahab was king of Israel, Jehoshaphat succeeded to the throne of Judah. He had the advantage that his parents were godly people—a greaf advantage. As suggested in our last study, the iniquity and idolatry of Israel reacted favorably upon Judah, just as the drunkenness and profligacy of a parent, sometimes reacts upon his children, who perceive his folly and learn by his mistakes. Moreover the idolatry of Israel, which drove its most saintly characters of all the tribes to Judah, enriched the latter nation in moral tone and character. This included all of the priests and Levites who -were still loyal to God and to the worship which he had established. Encouraged thus, the young king began a general crusade against every idolatrous place and custom in his kingdom. As Ahab exceeded his father Omri as an evildoer, so Jehoshaphat exceeded his father Asa as an upholder of the Divine Law. Indeed we remember that In Asa’s later years he became proud and self-con-scious and in a measure for a time rebellious against the Divine arrangements.

Prosperity In Divine Favor Jehoshaphat’s kingdom prospered. He fortified its various boundaries, especially toward the land of Israel, Judah's nearest neighbor Neighboring smaller nations

sought Judah’s favor and for it paid tribute and presents until Joho-h----aphat’s kingdom was very prosperous. Thus fidelity to the Lord was rewarded with prosperity. If some from this are trying to draw the lesson that all prosperous persons and nations are honorable, righteous and in Divine fellowship, they surely err. Those also err who claim that adversity, poverty, sickness are sure evidences of Divine disfavor and a sinful life. Not only should WC remember that the bad kings, Omri and Ahab, were

prosperous, but we remember also that many wicked nations and iniquitous customs have prospered and are prospering today. Prosperity, therefore, is not always a sign of Divine favor. To Jehoshaphat and his kingdom, however, prosperity was a sigh of favor because Judah still represented God's chos n ration in a special manner. According to God's Covenant with them they would be blessed in proportion as they maintained their loyalty to their agreement—their loyalty tq Gocl. , But this promise or Covenant was not made with mankind in general, but merely with the one nation of Israel, which, at the time of our study, was specially represented by the Kingdom cf Judah, if we would see that righteousness does not always bring peace and worldly prosperity, we have only to look at the Master himself and at his most faithful followers to see the contrary. Moreover this is the Masters assurance to his followers: “In the world ye “ shall .have tribulation, but in me ye shall have peace.” But' when Messiah's reign shall begin, all this will be changed and every wrong act and word and thought will receive prompt punishment, and every good effort will be rewarded and encouraged. Thus the Scriptures declare, “When the Judgments (righteous dealings) of the Lord are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” The blessed opportunities of that time will belong to all mankind except the Church. - The specially called class of this Age have the special blessing of hearing ears and understanding hearts and a call to the heavenly portion—the “High Calling.”

Thus, my dear readers, we see that our trials and difficulties, rightly appreciated and accepted, are blessings for us, because they thus work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory—than- the world will receive. The highest rewards for the world will be restitutionary, earthly—to attain perfect,, manhood. Thus we see God's provision* In Christ to be eternal human life for mankind in general, and eternal life *on the spirit’ plane for the elect Church, and eternal death for those. who. after experiencing to the full Divine mercy and opportunity,, shall sin wilfully.

Jehoshaphat’s One Mistake Like others, this king, no doubt, made many mistakes, blunders, but his most important mistake was in affiliating with

Ahab. king of Israel. - There is a lesson here for all of God's people. “Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” —neither by marriage ties nor by business partnerships and close friendships. “What communion hath light with darkness?”—2 Cor. 6:1418. Ahab made War and invited Jehoshaphat to go with him. It was expected to be an easy conquest, hut the Lord’s blessing was not with it, as Jehoshaphat later learned, escaping barely with his life. But his still earlier mistake was in - arranging a mar-

riage between his son and the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. No doubt he considered this a wise- method of ultimately re-uniting the two kingdoms—but it was woVldiy wisdom—foolishness—contrary to the wisdom from above. The Lord’s disapproval of Jehoshaphat’s fellowship with Ahab was Indicated. The Prophet was sent to him. saying. “ShOuldst- thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the. Lord? Therefore wrath is upon thee from before the Lord.”—2 Chrori. 19:2. Our Golden Text refers to the Kingdom to which spiritual Israelites are now Invited. To seek it means to seek a place with the Redeemer in the glory and power of his coming Kingdom. Those who seek it may apparently lose in temporal advantages, but by -faith they recognize that all things, even trials, difficulties and privations, are working together for good to-their spiritual advantage, preparing them for the Kingdom.

The fortifying of Judah.

The prophet and King Jehoshaphat.