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The Anatomy of Jehoshaphat's Folly — 11/20/2024 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Dr. Mark Leeds, Associate Vice President for Academics and Associate Professor of Theology at Cedarville University. Dr. Leeds looks at the life of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 18:1-19:4, and cautions us against passivity, folly, and disobedience.
Notes
In today’s chapel, Dr. Mark Leeds, Associate Vice President for Academics and Associate Professor of Theology, led us through the life of King Jehoshaphat from the Old Testament, focusing on his misguided alliance with King Ahab of Israel. Through his sermon, Dr. Leeds pointed out critical lessons about devotion, passivity, and the consequences of folly, with a strong reminder that even in our mistakes, God’s mercy is always available.
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was known for his faithfulness to God. He did not worship Baal, removed idols like the Asherim, and sent out teachers to instruct the people in the Law (2 Chronicles 17:6). However, when faced with a political situation, Jehoshaphat made the tragic decision to form an alliance with Ahab, the notoriously wicked king of Israel. Ahab, in stark contrast to Jehoshaphat, was a man of evil, worshiping Baal and doing more evil in the sight of the Lord than any king before him (1 Kings 16:30).
As the narrative unfolds, Jehoshaphat's folly becomes clear. Despite his faithful history, even a righteous man can make foolish decisions. Dr. Leeds reminded us that, like Jehoshaphat, we are all capable of making choices that lead to dire consequences. Yet, God’s mercy is unending. When Jehoshaphat found himself in a life-threatening situation — caught in battle with Ahab’s forces — he cried out to God for help. In His mercy, God spared Jehoshaphat's life, showing that even in the midst of our self-inflicted disasters, God can deliver us.
The final lesson came from Jehoshaphat's restoration. After the battle, he acknowledged the Lord's mercy and allowed God to restore him. Dr. Leeds encouraged us to desire the discipline of the Lord, as it is through God’s loving discipline that we are brought to repentance and restoration.
Dr. Leeds’ sermon served as a reminder that while we may stray, God is faithful to deliver us when we cry out to Him. Jehoshaphat’s story is not just one of folly but also of grace and restoration — a powerful reminder that no matter how far we fall, God’s mercy can always restore us.