Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/alphon_1/7657/newmove.nm7

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                                TO THE GLORY OF GOD
                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        Study No 7
                       ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT OF DAVID

        2 Chronicles 17 - 20.

        "It  is  the man who tries to make the best of both  worlds  who
        makes nothing of either." - Drummond.

        1.  Strengthens Faith "Strengthens Himself Against Israel"
            (Chapter 17:1)

               Of how many of God's people it may be said,  as was said of the
            Galatians,  "Ye  did run well:   who did hinder you that ye should
            not  obey  the  truth?"   Although  there  are  always  about   us
            hindrances  in abundance,  that is no reason why those gifted with
            the wings of faith should be hindered in their spiritual life.

        2.  Follows Father's Ways (Chapter 17:1-6).

               The  kingdom  was  greater under  Jehoshaphat  than  under  his
            father, and he is said to have walked in the first ways of...David
            (3).    Variant  readings  are  possible;   The  Berkeley  Version
            translates it,  "He walked in the old paths of David his  father";
            the RSV says, "He walked in the earlier ways of his father."

        3.  Prosperity Followed Godliness (Chapter 17:39.

               "The  Lord  was with him".   The presence of God with us is  an
            absolute guarantee of success and suffiency.   The reason why  God
            companied with him was "because he walked in the first ways of his
            father,  David."  The first ways of David,  and of his father Asa,
            were  their best days,  when their hearts were simple and  perfect
            toward  the  Lord.   He did not make their sins an excuse for  not
            following after the righteousness of God.

               He  extended the territory of the nation and finished the  work
            of  removing the idols from the high places.   He followed in  the
            train  of  his father's earlier years of  faith.   Not  after  the
            doings  of  Israel (4)  is an allusion to the calves  at  Dan  and
            Bethel.   His heart was lifted up (6) - Moffatt translates it, "He
            made it his ambition to live on the lines of Eternal."

               It  is  while  we  are in the ways of  the  Lord  that  we  may
            confidently  expect  His  uplifting.   The Lord is  not  going  to
            encourage  that  man whose manner of life is opposed to His  will.
            "Delight thyself in the Lord,  and He shall give thee the  desires
            of thine heart." (Psa. 37:4).

        4.  Establishes Order And Authority Instituted (Chapter 17:7:9)

               Regular teaching of the Law.   Jehoshaphat sent his princes  to
            help  organize  the  people so that the Levites  might  give  them
            thorough  instruction  in  the law.   He sent to his  princes  (7)
            should read, "He sent his princes," or, "He sent out his princes."
            No  real  revival is possible without honouring the Word  or  God.
            This  was systematic study of the Word,  that portion of  the  Old
            Testament which is called the Pentateuch,  the five books of Moses
            (cf. Neh. 8:7).  Each Levite carried his own copy, indicating that
            copies  may have been rare.   This was the beginning of  religious
            education  outside the home and Temple.   It is the only record of
            this kind of mission (cf.  2 Kings 23:2 and Neh. 8:3-18, where the
            law was also taught, although under different circumstances).

        Note the pitfalls of being unequally yoked.

            "Now Jehoshaphat joined affinity with Ahab" (chap. 18:1).

            After  the  friendship  was formed  there  came,  of  course,  the
            fellowship.  "He went down to Ahab to Samaria."  The ungodly Ahabs
            are  ever ready enough to have the servants of God to come down to
            their  level.    Nehemiah  joined  no  affinity  with  Tobiah  and
            Sanballat.   His answer to them was,  "I am doing a great work, so
            that   I  cannot  come  down."   (Be  not  unequally  yoked   with
            unbelievers.    What   fellowship  hath  light   with   darkness?)
            Difficulties  arise.   "The captain of the chariots compassed  him
            about, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him" (v. 30,
            31).  The king of Israel disguised himself, but an arrow shot at a
            venture found him out.  Jehoshaphat confessed and was saved.

        5.  Seeking The Restoration Of Others.

            "Jehoshaphat went out again through the people,...and brought them
            back unto the Lord God" (chap.  19:4).   If they had been led away
            from  the Lord through his evil example,  now that he was restored
            in heart,  he loses no time in using his influence for their good.
            The best work we can do for our fellowmen is to bring them back to
            God.   In  bringing them to Him,  we bring them to the  source  of
            peace, power, and plenty.  We may bring them back to sobriety, and
            to the Church,  without bringing them back to God.  Those who seek
            to bring men to God show their faith in Him.

        6.  Justifying The Ways of God

            "Now  let  the  fear of the Lord be with you,...for  there  is  no
            iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking
            of  gifts"  (v.7).   These words were spoken to the judges in  the
            land.   The basis of their actions was to be the righteousness  of
            God.   There is no false dealings with Him, no respect of persons,
            no taking of bribes.  Jehoshaphat found this out to his sorrow and
            loss when he joined affinity with Ahab,  and went to war with him,
            although Micaiah had warned him in the Name of God about it.   But
            he  has  learned a lesson,  so he now testifies that there  is  no
            unrighteousness  with  God.   He will not be bribed to  "help  the
            ungodly."   "He is the Rock,  His work is perfect,  a God of truth
            and without iniquity, just and right is He" (Deut. 32:4).

        7.  Warning Them of the Evils of Backsliding

            "Warn them that they trespass not against the Lord,  and so  wrath
            come  upon  you,  and upon your brethren" (v.10).   "Burnt  bairns
            dread  the fire."  The king has learned by bitter experience  that
            there  is  a vital connection between the trespass of men and  the
            wrath of God.   Man cannot sin with impunity.   He that goeth over
            the fence of God's will,  the serpent of sin will surely bite him.
            Outside  the will of God is always forbidden ground;  it leads  to
            Doubting Castle and the tortures of Giant Despair.


        8.  Seeking The Help of God in the Day of Trouble

            "After   this   the  children  of  Moab  and   the   children   of
             Ammon...came against Jehoshaphat to battle" (chap.  20:1).  After
            this - after he had decided to follow the Lord fully - the testing
            time  came.   The trial of your faith is more precious than  gold.
            The time was when he might have appealed to Ahab for help,  having
            made  a  treaty with him,  but he looks away from man,  and  "sets
            himself to seek the Lord" (v.3).   His example is followed by  the
            whole  nation,  for they "gathered themselves together to ask help
            of the Lord" (v.4).   Nations as well as individuals, must believe
            in the Lord to be saved.   The man of faith knows no other  refuge
            than  God  Himself  (Ps.  46:1).   He appeals to God  (1)  as  the
            Almighty  One(v.6);  (2)  as  the Faithful One(v.7);  (3)  as  the
            Trusted  One.   "Our  eyes are upon thee"  (v.12).   Whatever  thy
            trouble is, seek help from God and expect it.

        9.  Receives Answers

            Jehoshaphat's  faith  in God is further evidenced by  this  sudden
            answer to his prayer.   The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel,
            as he stood in the midst of the congregation,  with this  message,
            "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude, for
            the  battle  is not yours,  but God's" (v.14,  15).   As  soon  as
            Jehoshaphat  had put his trust in the Lord the battle became  His.
            God  takes  over the responsibilities of those who cast all  their
            care upon Him.  All the man of faith had to do was to "stand still
            and see the salvation of the Lord" (v17).  How this was to be done
            they knew not;  it was enough for him that God had promised to  do
            it (Ex.  14:13,  14).   Christ fought for us the battle of sin and
            death.  "Ye shall not need to fight in this battle."

        10. Is Worshipful

            In  acknowledgement  of God's wondrous grace,  he "Bowed his  head
            with his face to the ground,...worshipping the Lord" (v.18).   The
            revelation  of  God's saving power has always  a  dead-bowing  and
            heart-hallowing  effect  upon those to whom it comes in answer  to
            faith and prayer.   The true attitude of spiritual victors is that
            of  worshippers.   The  more deeply we drink of the river  of  His
            grace,  the more readily shall we bow and worship.  He who humbled
            Himself to the Cross for us has given the death-blow to our  pride
            and self-sufficiency.

        11. Encourages Others

            "Hear me,  O Judah,  Believe in the Lord your God,  so shall ye be
            established;  believe  His prophets,  so shall ye prosper" (v.20).
            Jehoshaphat  has proved for himself the truth of this,  he  speaks
            from experience.  Faith in God must lead to faith in His prophets.
            The fruit of faith is not weakness and instability,  but  strength
            and prosperity.

        12. Follows David's Example

            "Faith laughs at impossibilities, and says, It shall be done."  He
            believed God and rejoiced in the hope of a glorious victory.  This
            is seen in his "appointing singers unto the Lord, to go out before
            the army,  and to say, Praise the Lord" (v.21).  Happy is that man
            who can sing praise to God for His bare word of promise, and go on
            expecting  miracles  to wrought.   He shall not  be  disappointed.
            "Believe,  and  thou shalt see."  "When they began to sing and  to
            praise,  the  Lord  set ambushments against the enemy,...and  they
            were smitten" (v.22).   "Then they returned with joy" (v.27).   If
            the singers had been defeated, then might the enemies of the Bible
            rejoice;  but the God of the Old Testament never fails to  fulfill
            the expectations of all those who trust Him.   This is the victory
            that overcometh the world, even our faith.

                                END of STUDY SEVEN