In 2 Chronicles 20:31-37 we have a short chronicle of the reign of Jehoshaphat in Judah. There are a few interesting tidbits we can glean from the account. First, while there are things that Jehoshaphat failed to do “the high places were not taken away” (33), in all Jehoshaphat did “what was right in the sight of the Lord” (32). This was a continuation of the good that his father Asa accomplished in his 45 years reigning on the throne (16:13), and greatly contrasted with the idolatrous conditions in Israel, under kings Baasha, Ahab (related to Jehoshaphat by marriage), and Ahaziah, who all “acted very wickedly” (20:35).
Despite all of the good that Jehoshaphat did in his reign, he was punished by God because of the company he kept late in life. We are told that he allied himself with wicked king Ahaziah of Israel, “to make ships to go to Tarshish” (20:36). This economic choice to ally with the wicked king brought a prophecy against him. “But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.’ Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish” (20:37).
The first question we would ask is, why in the world would Jehoshaphat ally with Ahaziah? The easy answer is that he saw benefit in it. Thus, the compromise was easy. Yes, Ahaziah was an idolater, a king who led his people (the brothers of all in Judah) to do evil. But, it was to their advantage economically to work together. Character would be overlooked for personal advantage. But God was not considered or consulted. Interestingly, perhaps in part as a result of his father’s influence, the next king of Judah, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat’s son, was a murderer who “walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he had the daughter of Ahab (another alliance) as a wife; and he did evil in the sight of the Lord” (21:6).
Now, there are a few acknowledgements we need to make. Jehoshaphat as a king of God’s chosen people, is not the same as you and me. We don’t know the extent of the alliance, and the extent of Jehoshaphat’s disregarding of God. However, it remains that he was not perfect, and his alliance with Ahaziah was not pleasing to God.
So, let’s consider for a few moments the importance that God places upon our friendships. Friendship with the worldly is dangerous, and can easily displease God. There are warnings about this. Many are found in the book of Proverbs:
(Proverbs 22:24-25), “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.”
(Proverbs 14:7), “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.”
(Proverbs 12:26), “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
(Proverbs 14:6-7), “A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, but knowledge is easy to him who understands. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.”
The New Testament makes very clear what God considers appropriate guidelines for friendship for Christians. Consider these words, written by the apostle Paul:
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
‘I will dwell in them and walk among them.
I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate”, says the Lord.
“Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”
“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,”
Says the LORD Almighty.’”(2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
We are to be friendly to the world. We are to always shine the light of Christ — kindness, love, benevolence and humility are always to be part of our character and our behavior. But, we must never become so close as to be influenced to evil, to fellowship with evil, or to excuse it. As Paul also wrote, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).
Those who think they can dally with the sinful or be present as sin is being committed, without sullying their garments of righteousness, are sorely mistaken. Not only does this bring strong temptation that few are able to overcome, but the presence itself is sure to bring God’s condemnation. It is not possible to shine your influence upon the ungodly unless they know you are a “stranger [s] and pilgrim [s] on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).
Our life and purpose upon this earth is to conduct ourselves in such a way to make it to heaven for an eternity. Like Ahaziah, anything or anyone who stands in the way should not be entertained. Consider these things carefully!
