Jehoshaphat: Flirtation with Evil is Dangerous

I. I want to thank Keith and Wiley for inviting me to share some thoughts with you. I want to thank you for sharing your time with me and I hope you benefit from what we will study.

II. Fatal Attractions

A. People buy or catch poisonous snakes and other dangerous animals and raise them.

B. They then cross a psychological line where they feel they are “special” and that they have developed a relationship and trust with this wild predator.

C. But the wild animal eventually finds an opportune time and attacks, often killing, the person. They thought they could control the danger but they were lying to themselves.

D. I’ve often thought how shocked and regretful they would feel in those final minutes of life realizing they were foolish to think they could have a close relationship with something so dangerous and not be hurt.

III. Jehoshaphat

A. Bloodline of Jesus because he is one of the kings descended from King David.

B. We read about Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 17-20 and 1 Kings 22, but we will focus on the accounts in 2 Chronicles, starting in chapter 20, if you want to turn there.

C. Jehoshaphat was a faithful servant of God and a brilliant leader.

D. He had a strong personal faith and was active and enthusiastic in trying to turn the people of Judah to serve God.

E. He worked hard to strengthen Judah spiritually, militarily, and politically.

F. The story of his reign includes inspiring expressions of faith, trust in God’s protection when outnumbered by the enemy, and a desire for righteousness throughout Judah.

G. He organized a grand program to teach Judah God’s law, to make sure they knew God and understood how to honor God through obedience.

H. He zealously destroyed idols and drove out or killed the false prophets who promoted the filthy worship of the false gods.

I. Yet for all the good he accomplished, he made some very poor decisions.

IV. Jehoshaphat’s weakness

A. Despite his faith, wisdom, and insight, Jehoshaphat failed to see how destructive his close relationship with the house of Ahab, the king of Israel, would bring upon Judah and his own family.

B. I spent months studying Jehoshaphat and found myself perplexed and frustrated with his desire to build a close relationship with the household of Ahab, a king that was, spiritually, his exact opposite.

1. As Jehoshaphat is exterminating the immoral idol worship and their teachers, Ahab is expanding worship to the idol Baal throughout Israel and persecuting the prophets of God.
2. When Jehoshaphat ascended the throne, 2 Chronicles says he “walked in the earlier ways of his father David”, “did not seek the Baals”, and one whose “heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord.” When Ahab ascended the throne, 1 Kings 16 describes him as one who “did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him” which was no easy task.

C. As I struggled to grasp this apparent contradiction in Jehoshaphat, I realized that such blindness is not uncommon and that I have experienced it in my life.

1. We can, from our heart, say we love God over everything else and practice a deep faith in God yet, through personal relationships or personal interests, allow influences in our lives that may not destroy us but can weaken us, damage our influence for good and perhaps the faith of our loved ones.
2. Just like the person who takes a dangerous snake into their home, the decision might seem reasonable at the time, or the person may think they can prevent the danger, but the damage can strike suddenly and have devastating consequences..

D. Here’s the preview: Jehoshaphat could wisely assess the political and spiritual needs of Judah and did great work to strengthen Judah. What he did not see, though it should have been obvious, is that his close association with the kings of Israel was dangerous. His military alliances with Israel drew rebuke from God’s prophets. When Jehoshaphat agreed to a marriage alliance between his son and the daughter of Ahab, he set in motion a series of events that would destroy much of his reformation work in Judah and nearly wipe out his family. The throne of Judah would become a place of treachery, violence, and idolatry. Jehoshaphat lost an opportunity to establish an influential line of kings who prospered through dedication to God.

V. Jehoshaphat’s Care for Judah

A. Jehoshaphat was determined to build a stronger Judah through military, spiritual, and judicial reforms. Jehoshaphat inherited a politically stable kingdom from his father Asa who, in his 41-year reign, built fortified cities in Judah and maintained a strong army. For much of Asa’s rule the northern kingdom of Israel was in turmoil. In Asa’s 31st year, Israel stabilized as King Omri established Samaria as Israel’s capital and his son Ahab enjoyed success against Syria.

B. As Israel became stronger and more powerful, Jehoshaphat ascended the throne of Judah. The Chronicler announces the ascension of Jehoshaphat and his reinforcement against Israel in the same opening sentence of 1 Chronicles 17. Jehoshaphat garrisoned fortified cities around Judah and the cities of Ephraim his father captured to protect Judah from Israeli and Syrian attacks. He built additional fortifications, stored supplies throughout the land, and organized a mighty army that exceeded one million men, many of whom were called mighty men of valor.

C. As a king who sought the Lord with a courageous heart he lived God’s law and wanted the people to be faithful to it as well. In the third year of his reign he sent his princes and the Levites throughout Judah with the book of the law of the Lord to teach the people. He destroyed the male cult prostitutes who remained after Asa cleansed the land of much of its idolatry (1 Kings 22:46).

D. After the death of Ahab, in a second wave of reform, Jehoshaphat sought to bring the people back to God. He established a judicial system throughout Judah, and charged the judges to deal faithfully; to fear the Lord, and be courageous for what was right. 2 Chronicles 19:6-7 records his charge to the newly appointed judges:

VI. “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

VII. Jehoshaphat’s Great Faith

A. There appears to be no reason to question the genuineness of Jehoshaphat’s faith.

B. The depth of his personal commitment and trust in God is evident in his passionate appeal to the people to be faithful in the face of a large enemy invasion.

1. 2 Chronicles 20 records the invasion of the Moabites and Ammonites at Engedi.
2. Hearing that a great multitude was moving against him, Jehoshaphat was afraid but sought the Lord’s help.
   • Even though he had faithfully been rebuilding Judah spiritually and militarily, he still had to face challenges. Good people are attacked by the wicked.
   • I’m glad the text tells us that this great man of faith was “afraid” when the enemies came against him. It’s ok to be afraid, even when you have strong faith, but keep trusting in God and praying for His help.
3. He had developed a program to teach the people of God the law to strengthen their faith. He wanted the people to pray for God’s help.
   • Story of Jim and the preacher: “make a man lose his faith” vs “use his faith”
   • Jehoshaphat was asking the people to “use” their faith to face their enemies.
4. He proclaimed a fast throughout Judah and assembled the people to seek God.
5. Entering the court of the temple, Jehoshaphat offered a fervent prayer.
6. 1 Chronicles 20:6-12 : “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
7. I love those last two lines: Jehoshaphat told God they were powerlessness against the mighty army, confused about what to do next, but looked to God for answers
   • That’s not weakness, that’s wisdom and faith in action.
   • So much is out of our control, sometimes we need to tell God what He already knows, that we are powerless against these forces but trust that He has the power to do great things for His glory and beg for his help.

C. God answered through Jahaziel, a Levite, with a promise of victory over their enemies.

1. Following Jahaziel’s direction, the people journeyed to the east of the wilderness of Jeruel to witness God fighting for them.
2. Early the next morning, in the wilderness of Tekoah, Jehoshaphat rallied the people telling them to “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets and you will succeed.”
3. Tip of the spear: the powerful forces to drive back and enemies. Usually the elite forces.
   • Instead of the elite forces, Jehoshaphat assigned singers in holy attire to go before the army singing “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:20-21).

D. God turned Ammon and Moab against the Edomites and then upon one another. After three days of taking the spoil until they could carry no more, the people gathered into the Valley of Beracah (Blessing) to bless the Lord then returned to Jerusalem with joy, bringing praise to the house of the Lord.

E. Following this incident, the surrounding kingdoms feared God and Jehoshaphat had rest from his enemies.

F. Jehoshaphat was not a man of shallow faith. In this conflict he demonstrated humility and complete trust in God’s power to save. His faith was obvious to all and he rallied the people because of his confidence in God. He was a king who loved God, followed His will, taught it to the people, and trusted in God’s deliverance from a great enemy. Any fault we find with Jehoshaphat would not include a lack of dedication to God. However, great faith does not always lead to wise decisions.

VIII. Jehoshaphat was a man of strong personal faith led reform efforts to destroy false worship in the land, draw the people to God, and establish justice in the land.

A. Despite these noble and faithful actions, there are four instances in Jehoshaphat’s life demonstrate the impact his evil associations on Judah and his family:

1. the Ramoth-Gilead war campaign with Israel
2. the shipbuilding alliance with King Ahaziah
3. the Moabite war campaign with Israel
4. and the marriage alliance with the house of Ahab.

B. During these events God warned Jehoshaphat about his association with Israel yet, inexplicably, he maintained a bond with the kingdom that would gain a destructive and deadly influence in Judah.

IX. Ramoth-Gilead Campaign (2 Chron. 18 and 1 Kings 22)

A. “After some years” (three years – 1 Kings 22:2) Ahab honored Jehoshaphat with a feast and persuaded him to join in a battle to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from the Syrians. Jehoshaphat pledged his support but asked that they inquire of the Lord.

B. Ahab gathered four hundred prophets who enthusiastically, and with great drama, supported the campaign.

C. Dissatisfied, Jehoshaphat asked if there was another prophet of the Lord available and was told of Micaiah who often condemned Ahab.

D. At first Micaiah appears to go along with the false prophets but in a mocking way.

E. When pressed for the true prophecy, Micaiah said that Ahab would be killed and Israel scattered.

F. Considering he called for a prophet of God, and Micaiah appeared genuine, Jehoshaphat’s subsequent actions are perplexing.

1. Despite the warning, Jehoshaphat joined Ahab in the doomed battle and even wore the condemned king’s robes. Did Ahab and Jehoshaphat think they could fool God? Why would Jehoshaphat wear the clothes of a man predicted to die?
2. The Syrians, focused on killing Ahab, pursued disguised Jehoshaphat. God mercifully delivered Jehoshaphat and the Syrians withdrew, realizing he was not the king of Israel. Ahab was killed by a random arrow and bled to death propped up in his chariot facing the battle.

G. Jehu the seer met Jehoshaphat as he returned from the defeat and delivered a sharp rebuke: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” (2 Chron. 19:2-3)

H. It was following this rebuke, didn’t get mad but did what one with a good heart should do when corrected, he made changes in his life.

I. Jehoshaphat appointed faithful judges in Judah and urged them to be faithful, courageous, and just in their decisions. It appeared that Jehoshaphat, properly rebuked, focused again on strengthening Judah.

J. When the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites invaded the land (what we read in 2 Chronicles 20), he did not run to Israel for assistance but put his trust completely in God.

K. Later, however, Jehoshaphat forgot or ignored Jehu’s rebuke and assisted the wicked in Israel.

X. The Foolish Alliance with Ahaziah (2 Chron. 20 and 1 Kings 22)

A. Ahaziah became king in the 17th year of Jehoshaphat’s reign and ruled for two years.

B. Although Ahaziah was rebuked by Elijah for his wickedness, Jehoshaphat joined him in a naval project.

C. The two accounts of this alliance have some differences.

1. In 1 Kings 22 it appears that Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold and, when they were wrecked, Ahaziah offered men to go with his servants in the ships.
2. 2 Chron. 20 states that Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah joined together to build the ships in Ezion-geber to go to Tarshish.
3. Eliezer the prophet rebuked Jehoshaphat for the alliance and predicted the destruction of the ships.
4. Both accounts record the destruction of the fleet at Ezion-geber. The account in 1 Kings may suggest Ahaziah urged Jehoshaphat to rebuild but, knowing God would doom the project, the Judean king refused.

XI. Foolish Alliance with Jehoram (2 Kings 3)

A. In the 18th year of Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, the brother of Ahaziah (who had no heir), became king of Israel and continued in the evil of Jeroboam.

B. When the Moabite king rebelled against the tribute imposed by Ahab, Jehoram asked Jehoshaphat to assist him in stopping the rebellion.

C. Though the king of Israel and enemies were different, the setting was similar to Jehoshaphat’s foolish alliance with Ahab to take Ramoth-gilead 15 years earlier.

D. Though he should have learned his lesson then, and the words of Jehu the seer should have pricked his heart, Jehoshaphat answered Jehoram with the same foolish words he spoke to Ahab.

E. Unlike the alliance with Ahab, Jehoshaphat did not immediately seek a prophet to hear God’s will on the matter.

F. After seven days of a circuitous route without water, Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet to consult.

1. The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom went to the great prophet Elisha for a message from God.
   • Elisha rebuked Jehoram, instructing him to consult his father and mother’s false prophets.
   • Elisha said that he only spoke to Jehoram because of his regard for Jehoshaphat.
   • God provided water without rain to feed the army and the flock.
   • EXPLAIN The morning reflection in the water confused the Moabites who thought Israel, Judah, and Edom turned on one another and, in a race to get the spoil, were ambushed and soundly defeated.
   • Although no direct rebuke followed this alliance, the interchange between Elisha and Jehoram implied that Jehoshaphat should not be associated with these kings.

XII. The Marriage Alliance and its Consequences

A. Early in his reign Jehoshaphat agreed to a marriage alliance with Ahab that united his son Jehoram and Ahab’s daughter Athaliah.

B. The scripture does not say who asked for the alliance or why it was sought though many reasons might explain this action.

1. Perhaps Ahab thought it might prevent an invasion from Judah and provide an ally in the Judean palace.
2. Having reinforced his northern border, perhaps Jehoshaphat thought an alliance with Ahab would prevent war with Israel and provide an ally if Syria invaded.
3. Israel was a strong kingdom and Jehoshaphat might have been impressed with the wealth and power of Ahab and accepted a marriage alliance to enhance his own power and prestige.
4. With every other decision focused on strengthening Judah, it is illogical to think that Jehoshaphat made the alliance knowing it would endanger Judah. Regardless of the reason for his decision, the alliance was the most foolish and destructive decision Jehoshaphat would make.

C. Upon Jehoshaphat’s death, his son Jehoram ascended the throne and, when his power was established, slaughtered his brothers (Jehoshaphat’s sons).

1. He rejected the ways of his father and ruled in the spirit of the kings of Israel. “And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 21:6, emphasis mine –rfd).
2. With a wicked king Judah became weaker. Jehoshaphat had led a spiritual revolution to turn the people to God but his son reintroduced idolatry and led Judah into false worship.
3. This provoked Elijah to send a letter of rebuke and a curse on his people and Jehoram’s health.
4. During his reign, Edom gained freedom from Judah’s rule.
5. The Philistines and Arabians who honored Jehoshaphat invaded Judah and carried away the possessions of the king’s house and his wives and slaughtered his sons, except his youngest son Jehoahaz.
6. After suffering two years with a painful disease Jehoram died an agonizing death. In death he was not honored and “he departed to no one’s regret.” (2 Chron. 21:20).

D. When Jehoshaphat’s grandson, Ahaziah ascended the throne at 22 years old, his counselor was his mother Athaliah, the evil granddaughter of Omri and daughter of Ahab.

1. Like his father, he followed the ways of Ahab and his mother counseled him in wickedness.
2. The Chronicler again associates the poison of Ahab’s house with the spiritual sickness in Judah’s king: “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done. For after the death of his father they were his counselors, to his undoing” (2 Chron. 22:4).
3. Ahaziah allied with Jehoram, king of Israel, to again attack Ramoth-Gilead but Jehoram was wounded. Jehu, following God’s command to wipe out the house of Ahab, killed the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers, and finally Ahaziah when he visited Jehoram.

E. The vacated throne of Judah was usurped by Athaliah who destroyed the royal family to preserve her rule.

1. Joash, the son of Ahaziah, was saved by his sister, Jehoshabeath, and her husband, Jehoiada the priest.
2. After a six years, Jehoiada the priest killed Atahliah and led a revolt to restore the throne to the rightful heir of David .

F. Under the influence of Jehoidah, Joash began a spiritual restoration, including repairing the temple.

1. However, after Jehoidah’s death, he embraced idolatry, abandoned the temple, and was eventually assassinated.

G. Perhaps the marriage alliance seemed like a wise decision to Jehoshaphat but whatever peace, power, or prosperity received was purchased at an exceedingly high price for Jehoshaphat’s family and the nation of Judah.

1. It was an unnecessary alliance for the faithfulness of Jeshoshaphat and the reforms of the people guaranteed that God would protect and bless Judah.
2. For 55 years, Jehoshaphat’s children and grandchildren were slaughtered by their siblings and the work he did to teach Judah God’s way and bring justice in the land was lost.

XIII. The Price of Jehoshaphat’s Evil Associations

A. Jehoshaphat’s close association with the evil kings of Israel is hard to reconcile with his love for God and desire to strengthen Judah strategically and spiritually.

B. One might excuse his poor judgment yet several prophets of God warned him directly or indirectly of the wickedness in the northern kingdom and the foolishness of associating with them.

C. Jehu the seer was clear when he rebuked Jehoshaphat for helping the wicked and loving those who hated God.

D. Through stubbornness, affection, or ignorance Jehoshaphat continued the association to the spiritual destruction of Judah and suffering of his own family.

XIV. Learning from Jehoshaphat’s Example: Association with Ungodliness

A. Thousands of years may separate us from these events yet God’s people of every generation are in danger of following the foolishness of Jehoshaphat.

B. Some people strive to live holy lives and teach the lost but develop close associations with people and or influences that endanger themselves, their families, and others.

C. Often they are blind to the pull of evil despite the warning from the Bible, preachers, teachers, parents, and loved ones.

D. Those who are not blind to the influence may believe they can contain its poisonous effects or it won’t affect them.

E. Some dismiss its power to lure them from God.

F. Sadly, they may soon find that they are ensnared with cords of sin or have drifted away from God.

G. Dad’s story.

XV. Danger of close association with ungodliness

A. The New Testament is filled with warning against close associations with the ungodliness of the world.

B. James attributes the root of the fights and quarrels among some brethren to their worldliness. Being materialistic, they became God’s enemies. In James 4:4 he asked “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?”

C. Peter exhorts his readers to put off the sins of the ungodly nations, some of which they once practiced: “sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry” (1 Pet. 4).

D. God challenges Christians to separate themselves from the materialistic and pleasure-loving influence of the culture.

1. It doesn’t matter how much you say you love God, purity, and holiness.
2. What do your actions and choices say?
3. I can know what influences you by where you spend your time, how you spend your money. I know what my mind says, but what do my choices say?

E. Dangerous associations can be people, as in Jehoshaphat’s life.

1. The people you hang around with or connect with online.
2. The people you date and the person you marry.
3. Danny’s story.
4. Sacrifice to be able to spend time with good young people (parents taking kids to young people’s studies)

F. Dangerous associations can also be the influence of media through movies, television shows, music, books, video games, and social media, You Tube, and other web sites.

1. I watch movies and some television shows, love music, am an avid reader, embrace technology including the Internet, and have been an avid gamer when time allowed so I am not throwing rocks at something I do not understand.
2. But I’ve had to make tough choices on where to spend my attention and time and what to avoid.
3. Modern entertainment in movies, television shows, and videos on You Tube, Tik Tok, and Instagram often teach the philosophy and ideals of the world in opposition to God’s teaching.
4. I’ve known a lot of people who have been drawn away from God and into ungodly attitudes and disgraceful behaviors through what they learned in the media.
5. Popular media is the ideal teacher for immodesty, immorality, foul speech, alcohol and drug use, adultery and fornication, murder, rebellion against parents, watered down humanistic religion, and a host of other sins.
6. It is humbling to compare the modern Christian’s association with his culture and the early Christians living in the idolatrous, materialistic, and hedonistic Roman culture.
   • Our ancient brethren often came out of wickedness to follow Christ.
   • They knew the conversion to Christ required a total transformation from the inmost thoughts to external actions.
   • The sharp contrast from self-seeking, materialistic, and immoral living to selfless, self-sacrificing and pure lives in a morally filthy world is a distinguishing mark of Christianity.
   • Consider the following testimonies of the early Christians as they lived in the world but separate from it.
   • David Bercot, in his book Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up? paraphrased Tertullian, the Roman lawyer and defender of the faith, regarding the entertainment of the theater in the latter part of the 2nd Century: “The father who carefully protects and guards his virgin daughter’s ears from every polluting word takes her to the theater himself, exposing her to all its vile language and attitudes. How can it be right to look at the things that are wrong to do? How can those things which defile a man when they go out of his mouth not defile him when going in through his eyes and ears?” (Heretics p.31).
   • Bercot goes on to quote Lactantius, a prominent Roman rhetoric teacher from 260-330: “I am inclined to think that the corrupting influence of the stage is even worse [than the senseless bloodlust of the arena -rfd]. The subjects of comedies are the deflowering of virgins or the loves of prostitutes…Similarly the tragedies parade before the eyes [of the audience] the murder of parents and acts of incest committed by wicked kings… Is the art of the mimes any better? They teach adultery by acting it out. How do we expect our young people to respond when they see that these things are practiced without shame and that everyone eagerly watches? (Heretics p.31).
   • That’s 1700-1800 years ago. Things haven’t changed.
7. The practice of the ancient theater has not died. Popular movies, books, and music are created on these perverted themes.
   • Sadly, some Christians will entertain themselves with media that they should avoid.
   • The early Christians abstained from the immoral cultural entertainment because they realized its dangerous influence.
   • We must draw a clear line in our lives between the worldliness of the nations and the holiness commanded of God’s children.
   • We must not let the entertainment focus of the culture dictating where we focus our attention and spend our time. Our attention should be on glorifying God in what we say, do, and where we spend our time.

G. Aside from the influence of immorality and creation of carnal desires, our addiction to worldly media is starving us of spiritual food.

1. Some brethren can recite an intricate plot line and character descriptions in a book or movie but cannot relate the people and events of basic Bible stories.
2. Some can cite sport statistics and ever changing player lineups for many teams but struggle to find passages of scripture to defend the basics of their beliefs.
3. The time we devote to the television, movies, the Internet, and books is necessarily time taken away from Bible study, meditation on God’s word, prayer, and godly service.
4. Wholesome non-Biblical entertainment is not condemned but I fear that some are devoting hours of attention each day to feeding their passions and amusing themselves while their spirit is gasping for living water and spiritual food.
5. I have to check myself on this. Where I’m spending my time. No game apps on my phone. Limit time playing games, watching TV, sports…I know I can have an addictive personality and waste a lot of time instead of enjoying something in moderation, if I’m not careful.
6. The peril of consuming so much of the world’s diet is that we may lose our taste for the eternal food that nourishes us and with which we can nourish others.

H. James urged the readers to draw closer to God, purify their hearts, and mourn for their sins (Jas. 4:8).

1. Like the early church our holiness should be such that it stands out against the filthiness of the world and glorifies God.
2. Our love for goodness, righteousness, and holiness should be such that we have no taste for the wickedness in the media and desire to have no association with the latest television show, movie, book, or song even if everyone we know is talking about and obsessing over it.
3. Do not be deceived, we will reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7-9).

XVI. Jehoshaphat is a reminder that zealous followers of God, through foolish associations, can invite danger into their life and the lives of others.

A. It is hard to understand how Jehoshaphat the fervent reformer could make a close alliance with the wicked and idolatrous family of Ahab.

B. It seems strange that one who sent teachers throughout the land to draw people to God would place his son into a foolish marriage, to the detriment of his son, grandsons, and nation.

C. Perhaps we understand it better when we see how in every generation righteous men and women make careless associations that bring destruction upon themselves and others.

XVII. Always time to change

A. Maybe you made some poor decisions about close friends or where you spend your time. We all have.

B. Maybe those decisions led to worse decisions, bad habits, immoral behavior, and doing other things that you know are wrong. Don’t beat yourself up, beat a path back to the throne of God and ask for forgiveness and you will find mercy. Then start again.

C. Best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. Second best time? Today

D. Need to check yourself. Are you being pulled to do things you know are wrong? Are you more agitated? What is occupying most of your time? Make adjustments.

E. I’m an adult and I have to do this from time to time. Too involved with work, hobbies, watching sports, online in negative environments, etc.

XVIII. Let us follow the encouragement of scripture:

1. Titus 2:11-14: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
2. This is where we ought to be in life: avoiding the evil, practicing righteousness, and serving God through good works until we leave this world to be with God forever.
3. Godly friends, spending your time in wholesome things, entertaining yourself with things that are proper, these will help you achieve that kind of life.
4. Always remember, YOU are in charge. You have the keys to your life. You control what you allow into your mind and heart. You choose who you will be close with and who you will keep at a distance. You choose your actions. Your parents, preachers, teachers, friends, and others may influence you, but you have control on how you live your life and you have to accept the consequences, both good and bad, of your decisions. I pray they are good ones.

XIX. Closing Exhortation: Jude 17-25: But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

1. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

XX. Thank you for the gift of your time. I hope you consider it a good investment in your future and I’m always glad to study or talk about anything on your heart. You can reach me at [email protected], I have two websites, godly Youth.com and rhodesdavis.com, both soon to receive major upgrades, FB, and possibly back on Instagram in the future. I’m always glad to help my young friends in any way they need me. PRAYER Thanks again to Keith and Wiley and I’ll turn it back over to you.