In many subtle ways we will be constantly tempted to go against our conscience. We should not be deceived by the hope of some earthly gain to surrender our moral integrity.
King Asa was given God's message of warning through the prophet. But instead of accepting it thankfully, he became infuriated with the prophet and put him in prison. However this did not change God's message, and Asa was troubled by wars for the rest of his life. He had forfeited the blessing of God.
Jehoshaphat was the son of king Asa. He also began very well like his father (2 Chron. 17:1 - 12)). As long as he obeyed God he went on prospering. But later on, although he knew how his father had failed the Lord and brought loss upon himself, he also succumbed to the subtle devices of the enemy, and brought destruction upon himself. He chose Ahab's daughter Athaliah for his son and in this way he and Ahab became great friends. The result was that much worldliness entered into Jehoshaphat's life.
The same calamity has befallen many believers. At first they showed much zeal for the Lord. They always carried their Bibles with them and witnessed and preached very boldly. Then the time came for them to arrange the marriage of a son or daughter. Tempted by worldly gain and prosperity they made alliances with ungodly families. When some servant of God took courage to warn them and show them God's Word, like king Asa they became very angry with him. As a result, now they have fallen into sorrow and shame.
A few years after the marriage of his son Jehoram, Jehoshaphat went to Samaria to visit Ahab, and Ahab prepared a great feast for him (2 Chron.18:2). That is just how worldly people will deceive you. When you show willingness to be friendly with them they wilt make a great feast for you and flatter you to gain your confidence. Later on they will show their true colours.
After the feast was over, Ahab came out with his scheme. Would Jehoshaphat go out with him to Ramoth Gilead and fight the king of Syria? After enjoying such a nice feast how could Jehoshaphat say, "No"? He had to say, "Yes". So he replied, "I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war' (v.3). Thus it was that Jehoshaphat was found identified with a man who was actually an enemy of God. In spite of knowing this, Jehoshaphat became their friend and partner.
I know many cases of believers who have agreed for marriage with unbelievers, and now their peace and joy and zeal are all gone. Once they used to begin and end every day with a song. But now there is no song of praise upon theirlips any more!
Jehoshaphat was almost killed upon the battlefield. Ahab's false prophets had foretold that Ahab would come out victorious over his enemies in the battle. They had said, "Go up; for God will deliver it (Ramoth Gilead)into the king's hand" (18:5). It was only because of pressure from Jehoshaphat that Ahab called for the Lord's prophet Micaiah. When Micaiah came, he said to the two kings, "I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace" (2Chron.18:16). The two kings had themselves sent for Micaiah to hear. God's word from him, but now that he had given them the word of God faithfully, Ahab was very angry with Micaiah and put him into prison. Ahab was killed in the battle, and Israel was defeated (vs.33,34). Jehoshaphat also was about to be slain in the battle(v.31) and it was only by the mercy of God that he returned home alive.
All this is a warning to us not to allow worldly friends like Ahab to deceive us; not to be attracted by worldly pomp and glory to make marriage alliances with ungodly people; and not to get angry with God's servants who give us God's word. On the other hand we are exhorted to obey God and honour His living Word at all times and at any cost.
In many subtle ways we will be constantly tempted to go against our conscience. We should not be deceived by the hope of some earthly gain to surrender our moral integrity.
King Asa was given God's message of warning through the prophet. But instead of accepting it thankfully, he became infuriated with the prophet and put him in prison. However this did not change God's message, and Asa was troubled by wars for the rest of his life. He had forfeited the blessing of God.
Jehoshaphat was the son of king Asa. He also began very well like his father (2 Chron. 17:1 - 12)). As long as he obeyed God he went on prospering. But later on, although he knew how his father had failed the Lord and brought loss upon himself, he also succumbed to the subtle devices of the enemy, and brought destruction upon himself. He chose Ahab's daughter Athaliah for his son and in this way he and Ahab became great friends. The result was that much worldliness entered into Jehoshaphat's life.
The same calamity has befallen many believers. At first they showed much zeal for the Lord. They always carried their Bibles with them and witnessed and preached very boldly. Then the time came for them to arrange the marriage of a son or daughter. Tempted by worldly gain and prosperity they made alliances with ungodly families. When some servant of God took courage to warn them and show them God's Word, like king Asa they became very angry with him. As a result, now they have fallen into sorrow and shame.
A few years after the marriage of his son Jehoram, Jehoshaphat went to Samaria to visit Ahab, and Ahab prepared a great feast for him (2 Chron.18:2). That is just how worldly people will deceive you. When you show willingness to be friendly with them they wilt make a great feast for you and flatter you to gain your confidence. Later on they will show their true colours.
After the feast was over, Ahab came out with his scheme. Would Jehoshaphat go out with him to Ramoth Gilead and fight the king of Syria? After enjoying such a nice feast how could Jehoshaphat say, "No"? He had to say, "Yes". So he replied, "I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war' (v.3). Thus it was that Jehoshaphat was found identified with a man who was actually an enemy of God. In spite of knowing this, Jehoshaphat became their friend and partner.
I know many cases of believers who have agreed for marriage with unbelievers, and now their peace and joy and zeal are all gone. Once they used to begin and end every day with a song. But now there is no song of praise upon theirlips any more!
Jehoshaphat was almost killed upon the battlefield. Ahab's false prophets had foretold that Ahab would come out victorious over his enemies in the battle. They had said, "Go up; for God will deliver it (Ramoth Gilead)into the king's hand" (18:5). It was only because of pressure from Jehoshaphat that Ahab called for the Lord's prophet Micaiah. When Micaiah came, he said to the two kings, "I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace" (2Chron.18:16). The two kings had themselves sent for Micaiah to hear. God's word from him, but now that he had given them the word of God faithfully, Ahab was very angry with Micaiah and put him into prison. Ahab was killed in the battle, and Israel was defeated (vs.33,34). Jehoshaphat also was about to be slain in the battle(v.31) and it was only by the mercy of God that he returned home alive.
All this is a warning to us not to allow worldly friends like Ahab to deceive us; not to be attracted by worldly pomp and glory to make marriage alliances with ungodly people; and not to get angry with God's servants who give us God's word. On the other hand we are exhorted to obey God and honour His living Word at all times and at any cost.
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Bakht Singh (1903 - 2000)
He is often regarded as one of the most well-known bible teachers and preachers and pioneers of the Indian Church movements. He was India's foremost evangelist, preacher and indigenous church planter who founded churches based on New Testament principles. He began a worldwide indigenous church-planting movement in India that eventually saw more than 10,000 local churches. Norman Grubb missionary statesman, author and teacher: "In all my missionary experience I think these churches on their New Testament foundations are the nearest I have seen to a replica of the early church and a pattern for the birth and growth of the young churches in all the countries which we used to talk about as mission fields."Life of prayer. Brother Bakht Singh was a man of prayer. He spent hours upon his knees in communion with the Lord seeking the Lord's mind regarding His will concerning the work and ministry. Therefore, the Lord also honored him and blessed him beyond any human understanding. This is one of the reasons why the Lord has used him so mightily for the edification of His Body and for the extension of His glorious kingdom both in India and abroad.