Consistent Partnership with Unbelivers

Consistent Partnership With Unbelivers 

II Kings 3:4-5, 7 NKJV

[4] Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheepbreeder, and he regularly paid the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand rams. [5] But it happened, when Ahab died, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel....[7] Then he went and sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” And he said, “I will go up; I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” 

God is very consistent in His dislike of alliances and partnerships between a believer and a non believer. From an old testament concept of two unequal animals tied together for ploughing, God insists that there must be "separation", between a Christian believer and a non believer. Here's how passionate Derby Gibson is on this matter. " The New Testament concept of an unequal yoke (2 Cor 6.14-18) found its origins in the Mosaic ban on ploughing "with an ox [clean animal] and an ass [unclean beast] together" (Deut 22.10). Because believers and unbelievers are also of completely different natures it is vitally important for Christians to avoid close associations with the ungodly. In practical terms, this principle applies to three main areas: business, marriage, and religion". 

    Jehoshaphat had alliances with Ahab, even though he was a godly king. William Higgins explains the different accomplishments of Jehoshaphat. " Jehoshaphat the faithful. He walked in God’s ways – “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. . . . (He) sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments. . . His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord” – 2 Chronicles 17:3-6.

   Not only was he faithful – he was a reformer. He led the people to be faithful as well (like his father Asa).

v. 6 – he took away the high places and Asherim, vs. 7-9 – he began a program that taught the people the Law of God. Next we see portrayed . . .

2) Jehoshaphat the blessed.

17:5 – He had great wealth". 

   The tragedy were all in his association with Ahab's family. He made a marriage alliance with Ahab He gave his son in marriage to Ahab’s daughter. Then he went to fight at Ramoth-gilead with Ahab, and nearly lost his life. In today's read, the son has invited him to come and help fight the king of Moab. 

   We don't have all the space in this vignette. Be sure that God does not support close alliance with unbelivers. Note how Jehoshaphat always wants to consult God? Yet he may not do the will of God. What about you? How often do you respond to God's directions? Good morning.