T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
237
June, 1939
like this one. How would you find your way home? “I would use a compass.” Yes, those who sail the seas use the compass to guide them when they cannot see land, sun, or stars. Many a wise sea captain has piloted his ship safely into har bor because he followed the compass, even though it seemed to him that he was going in the wrong direction. In 2 Chronicles 14:11, we read of King Asa’s prayer to God for help. He said, “Help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee.” Because of Asa’s trust in God, his people were victorious over their enemies. God guided him as certainly as a compass guides the ships of the sea. 2 Chronicles 17:1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, ana in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; 4 But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 Therefore the Lord stahlished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honor in abun dance. 6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. 9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book -of the law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were rouna about Ju dah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Also some -of the Philistines brought Jeho shaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Ara bians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. Lesson Text: 2 Chron. 17:1-6, 9-12. Golden Text: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33 ). Devotional Reading: Matt. 7:21-27. Outline and Exposition I. His O bedience (1-6) v A FTER the death of Asa, Jehoshaphat his son came to the throne. He im- -L J L mediately began to strengthen his kingdom against Israel, which was then the pressing enemy. Following in the ways of his father, he set garrisons in all the exposed cities of Judah, thus guarding the approach from tne north. Moreover, he “walked in the first ways of his father David [after the Jewish cus tom of calling a family or tribal head, fath er (C. I. Scofield)], and sought not unto Baalim.” Forsaking idolatry, he regarded the Lord’s commandments and sought to live a life of obedience to Him. The result of such a manner of life was that "the Lord was with Jehoshaphat.” Hence none could stand against him, be cause the Lord was with him—the Lord who is the omnipotent One. The man who has Almighty Power with him need fear no enemy, however strong. And the Lord is omniscient, so that the man who has such
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We may never need a compass to guide us, but we are constantly needing God’s guidance. He has given us the Bible and the Holy Spirit in order that we may be guided correctly. If we follow His guid ance, we will be assured of victory.
JULY 30, 1939 JEHOSHAPHAT: A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE 2 C hronicles 17:1-19
a One with him need never be taken by sur prise. Thus Jehoshaphat was protected without and within. A further result of his obedience was that he was prospered in ma terial things. His kingdom was established, and all Judah brought him gifts until he had riches and honor in abundance. Furthermore, he proved himself truly an chored in the Lord, for the riches and honor which he received did not turn his heart from the ways of the Lord. These things seemed, rather, only to serve as an urge to him to dispose of whatever was displeasing to God, and he busied himself with destroy ing all idolatrous practices in Judah. There is danger, when riches and honor come to a man, that his heart may be lifted up in pride, and he may forget God (cf. Dan. 5:17-28). II. His W isdom (9) Not content with knowing and following the Lord for himself alone, Jehoshaphat proceeded to bring the knowledge of God and His ways to all the people of the king dom. For this purpose, he appointed a group of princes, and these, accompanied by proper Levitical teachers, were sent throughout the land to hold “Bible confer ences” among the pe&ple. Jehoshaphat gave them the sacred book of the Law, and they traveled through all the cities of Judah, not only instructing leaders, but teaching also “among the people” (v. 9, R.V.) Even to day, a large measure of prosperity and peace would follow in any nation whose ruler would do for his people what Jeho shaphat did. Among the panaceas proposed for our national difficulties, this plan would do more than them all. III. His E xaltation (10-12) Jehoshaphat was strengthened by the BLACKBOARD LESSON *&UT 5EE.K SIE FIRST THE KinGDOm OF GOO, ROD HIS RIGHTEOUSnesSW.«»
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