Day 20 – Helper

2 Chronicles 18:1 Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab.

 2 After some years he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria; and Ahab killed sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people who were with him and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead.

 3 Then Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?”

 He answered him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war.”  4 Then Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire for the word of JEHOVAH today.”

 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or should I refrain?”

 They said, “Go up, for Elohiym will deliver it into the king’s hand.”

 6 However, Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not a prophet of JEHOVAH here, that we may inquire of Him?”

 7 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is one man by whom we may inquire of JEHOVAH; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah, the son of Imla.”

 Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say such things!”

 8 Then the king of Israel called one of his officers and said, “Bring Micaiah the son of Imla quickly!”

 9 The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, clothed in their robes, sat each on his throne; and they sat at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and the prophets prophesied before them.

 10 Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, “Thus says JEHOVAH: ‘With these you will gore the Syrians until you destroy them.’”

 11 Then the prophets prophesied so, saying, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for JEHOVAH will deliver it into the king’s hand.”

 12 Then the messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore, please let your word be like the word of one of them and speak encouragement.”

 13 Micaiah said, “As JEHOVAH lives, whatever my Elohiym says, that I will speak.”

 14 Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or should I refrain?”

 He said, “Go and prosper, and they will be delivered into your hand!”

 15 Then the king said to him, “How many times will I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of JEHOVAH?”

 16 Then he said, “I saw Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep without a shepherd. JEHOVAH said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’”

 17 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

 18 Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the JEHOVAH. I saw JEHOVAH sitting on His throne, and the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left. 19 JEHOVAH said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ Thus, one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before JEHOVAH, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ JEHOVAH said to him, ‘In what way?’ 21 Then he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of his prophets.’ JEHOVAH said, ‘You will persuade him and also prevail; go out and do so.’ 22 Therefore, look! JEHOVAH put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and JEHOVAH has declared disaster against you.”

 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, “Which way did the spirit from JEHOVAH go from me to speak to you?”

 24 Micaiah said, “Indeed you will see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!”

 25 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah, and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son; 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king: “Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction until I return in peace.”’”

 27 Then Micaiah said, “If you ever return in peace, JEHOVAH has not spoken by me.” Then he said, “Take heed, you people!”

 28 Then the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.

 29 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes.” Thus, the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.

 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots with him, saying, “Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel.”

 31 Thus, it happened, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel!” Therefore, they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and JEHOVAH helped him, and Elohiym diverted them from him.

 32 For so it was, when the captains of the chariots saw it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.

 33 Now a certain man drew a bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. Then he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded.”

 34 The battle increased that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening; and about the time of sunset, he died.

God’s names:

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Elohiym – Supreme God

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Deliverer

Provider

Helper

What kind of friends do you have? Do they share your beliefs and ideals?

Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab, king of Israel through marriage. Ahab invited him to go to war with him. When Jehoshaphat agreed, he asked to inquire with JEHOVAH about the war. Micaiah told King Ahab he would die in battle while his prophets said he would prosper in the battle.

Many Christians are like Ahab. They hear only what they want to hear and discount everything else, believing Yeshuwa will give them favor in everything they do even when it doesn’t glorify Him. However, Yeshuwa will only give you favor when you honor Him.

Jehoshaphat honored JEHOVAH. He asked for JEHOVAH’S guidance before each battle, giving the battle into JEHOVA’S hands not his. When he did, JEHOVAH helped Jehoshaphat, while Ahab died as the prophet said he would.

When you give every situation, you face into Yeshuwa’s hands, He will guide your steps and lead you where you need to go.

What do you need help with today? Trust Yeshuwa to provide the help you need.

Let’s pray: Father, You know what I’m facing, even before I face it. You know my struggles and my temptations. Help me seek You first in every decision I make. Give me wisdom as I trust You to help me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 7 February 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux