DANCING WITH THE DEVIL

And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you…. But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.” Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

(2 Chronicles 19:2;20:37, NKJV)

Although Jehoshaphat himself was loyal to God, he allied himself with the wicked king of Israel…not once, but twice. After a defeat and warning from one prophet due to an alliance with Ahab, God sent a second prophet and destroyed his fleet after his alliance with Ahaziah, the son of Ahab.

Don’t make alliances with those who hate God.

When we make unholy alliances, we risk God's displeasure. The wrath of God was directed toward Jehoshaphat, because of his alliance with wicked King Ahab. King Ahab was a notorious worshipper of Baal. Someone who loved God had no business making an alliance with him. In all other respects, Jehoshaphat was obedient to God. This one flaw incurred the wrath of God.

When we make unholy alliances, we risk God's discipline. Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab ended in defeat in battle. Jehoshaphat escaped. Ahab was killed in battle. Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, ended with the destruction of his fleet of ships. God punished Jehoshaphat for his unholy alliance with the wicked kings of Israel. Since Jehoshaphat would not end his alliance with hose kings, God did. When we refuse to obey God and honor Him in our relationships, He will take steps to end it - one way or another. It is best if we end it on our own before things get out of hand.