A lesson from the king of Judah

Too many times, we compromise for the sake of remaining in someone else’s good books or lower our standards to maintain relationships with persons we ought not to be aligned, whether in love or business.

Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was a godly man who “did the right things in the Lord’s eyes”, however he compromised for the sake of peace by removing the prostitutes from the local shrines but not destroying the shrines, thereby allowing these shrines to be “still used as places for offering sacrifices” (see 1 Kings 22:43).

The king of Judah also compromised, when, in an effort to curb the hostility between their two kingdoms, he married off his son to the daughter of the despicable idolatrous king of Israel, Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel, creating a familial bond with them.

At a later time, for the sake of commerce, Jehoshaphat entered into a business arrangement with yet another of Israel’s kings, Azariah, who was equally as wicked, idolatrous and repugnant as his father before him, Ahab.

King Jehoshaphat had a weakness for making deals with tyrannical miscreants who were not Godfearing men like himself.

Imagine this godly king of Judah, saying to a known idol worshipper who “did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel before him” (1 Kings 16:33 GNT), “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” (1 Kings 22:4 AMPC).

Jehoshaphat knew that Ahab was not as he was; he knew that their people and horses were not of the same ilk. He knew that they were unequally yoked, that their loyalties were vastly different, yet with his eyes wide open, he foolishly aligned himself with wickedness.

But isn’t that what we have a tendency to do? Diminishing our “Christianity” to get into bed with non-believers? We habitually make concessions to our spiritual and moral beliefs so that unbelievers aren’t discomforted.

You are not the same as those who don’t believe. So don’t join yourselves to them. Good and evil don’t belong together. Light and darkness cannot share the same room. How can there be any unity between Christ and the devil? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? – 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (ERV)

Beloved, Apostle Paul could not be any clearer about making ungodly alliances.

You need to truly grasp that as a believer, God’s Spirit lives in you, you are His temple (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). It is ill-advised to partner with persons who reject God.

God Himself tells us to “leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good. Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.” (1 Corinthians 3:17 MSG)

We just don’t understand the consequences, both spiritual and otherwise, that can arise from these unwise linkups. The raw truth is, if you keep sleeping with a dog, you’re bound to get fleas.

So, Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33 GNT)!

There was no wool covering the king of Judah’s eyes but sometimes you won’t know beforehand the type of person with whom you may be getting into communion. That’s why “before you do anything, ask God for guidance.” (1 Kings 22:5 MSG).

Yes, be insistent in seeking God’s guidance. Don’t jump into things because they look good, feel good and sound good. Bogus stuff comes in irresistible packaging.

Beloved, "not all skin teeth is a smile”, if it seems like a charade, chances are it is a charade.

Learn a lesson from the king of Judah, do not ignore the vibrant red flag at full mast that’s flying in your face.

Learn a lesson from the king of Judah, if you’re hearing spiritual sirens blaring, as faint as the sound may be, still get out the way.

Learn a lesson from the king of Judah, do not ignore the sparking socket, turn off the circuit breaker and pull the plug.

Learn a lesson from the king of Judah, if there is any sense of dis-ease, know that it just might become epidemic.

Learn a lesson from the king of Judah, go to God first, always.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “A lesson from the king of Judah” © August 19, 2025