2Ch 20:36 | KingComments | STEP | It is as if the chronicler suddenly remembers an event from Jehoshaphat’s later life which he also wants to mention. Of course this happens under the guidance of God’s Spirit. Yet it is remarkable that the chronicler mentions this after he has completed his account of the life of Jehoshaphat. It shows that we can reach a moment when we can look back on a fulfilled life, but as long as we live there is a danger that we will fall into an old sin again. The sad announcement is made of the third wrong alliance Jehoshaphat made ( ). After his military alliances, first with Ahab ( ) and later with Jehoram, the son of Ahab ( ), he now enters into a trade alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel. This Ahaziah is a man who acts wickedly in everything he does. Jehoshaphat takes the initiative for a business relationship with this wicked man. He does so because he sees a gain in the alliance ( ). Together they made ships in Ezion-geber. According to his calculations, the money involved in making the ships will not only be recouped, but will also generate a lot of profit. That will have been his expectation. Jehoshaphat however calculated without calculating with the LORD. The LORD sends Eliezer to him with a prophecy. The prophet tells him that of all his calculations nothing will be left. His works will be broken by the LORD because of his alliance with wicked Ahaziah. This alliance is a dishonor to the LORD. He must break this unequal yoke ( ). God’s discipline comes over Jehoshaphat. The ships are shipwrecked even before they sail to Tarshish. As it were, they have only just been launched and then they sink immediately. For us, it contains the lesson that we should not go together with the world for profit. This only results in losses for both parties.

‏ 2 Chronicles 20:36

Another Wrong Alliance

It is as if the chronicler suddenly remembers an event from Jehoshaphat’s later life which he also wants to mention. Of course this happens under the guidance of God’s Spirit. Yet it is remarkable that the chronicler mentions this after he has completed his account of the life of Jehoshaphat. It shows that we can reach a moment when we can look back on a fulfilled life, but as long as we live there is a danger that we will fall into an old sin again.

The sad announcement is made of the third wrong alliance Jehoshaphat made (2Chr 20:35). After his military alliances, first with Ahab (2Chr 18:3) and later with Jehoram, the son of Ahab (2Kgs 3:6-7), he now enters into a trade alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel. This Ahaziah is a man who acts wickedly in everything he does.

Jehoshaphat takes the initiative for a business relationship with this wicked man. He does so because he sees a gain in the alliance (2Chr 20:36). Together they made ships in Ezion-geber. According to his calculations, the money involved in making the ships will not only be recouped, but will also generate a lot of profit. That will have been his expectation.

Jehoshaphat however calculated without calculating with the LORD. The LORD sends Eliezer to him with a prophecy. The prophet tells him that of all his calculations nothing will be left. His works will be broken by the LORD because of his alliance with wicked Ahaziah. This alliance is a dishonor to the LORD. He must break this unequal yoke (2Cor 6:14). God’s discipline comes over Jehoshaphat. The ships are shipwrecked even before they sail to Tarshish. As it were, they have only just been launched and then they sink immediately.

For us, it contains the lesson that we should not go together with the world for profit. This only results in losses for both parties.