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| 1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
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Jehoshaphat – Noted as one of the best kings in the history of Judah. R3393:3
King of Judah – He had been reigning 20 years at the time of the events narrated in this lesson. R3393:3
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| 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. |
Help the ungodly – Indicating the Lord's disapproval of Jehoshaphat's fellowship with Ahab. R4730:6
We should be especially on guard against associations, fellowships, matrimonial alliances, etc., with the ungodly. R3394:2
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly." (Psa. 1:1). R2366:1
Wrath upon thee – Indicated by his ignominious return without any evidence of divine favor. R3394:2
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| 3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. |
Good things found in thee – While reproving Jehoshaphat, the Lord graciously mentioned approval of his destroying idolatrous worship and of his heart seeking the Lord. R3394:3
Taken away the groves – He had utterly destroyed all the groves where idolatry had been practiced. R3393:3
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| 4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers. |
Went out again – The experience led him to still greater zeal for righteousness. He went out amongst the people and effected a religious revival. R3394:3
Brought them back – To a higher appreciation of the Lord and observance of his statutes. R3394:3
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| 5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, |
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| 6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. |
Take heed what ye do – The king had a very high sense of justice and honor, expressing grand sentiments worthy of a saint of this Gospel age. R3394:3
Evidence that the lesson of verse 2 was not lost upon Jehoshaphat. R2366:1
What may the world hope for when the great King Immanuel shall rule with superhuman knowledge and wisdom. R3394:4
Judge not for man – The Lord's people should render to no man less than is due him; and not only be just but generous. R3394:4
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| 7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. |
No iniquity – God is not the author of sin. He is just and right, hating evil and condemning sin in every form. R870:6
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| 8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. |
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| 9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. |
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| 10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass. |
Blood and blood – The degree of murder, whether first, second or third. R3395:1
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| 11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good. |
The Levites – The tribe especially consecrated to the Lord's service. R3394:5
Deal courageously – Justly. R5413:3
In the Kingdom we shall be required to render righteous and courageous judgment. R5414:4
In doing unpleasant tasks which are necessary, but in a kindly manner. R5414:5, R3395:4
Whoever has a duty to perform let him not fear. R5414:5, R3395:4
LORD shall be with – Applicable to the Jews because they were a typical people of God. R5414:4
There is no partiality with the Creator, no class distinction, neither high nor low, rich nor poor, noble nor peasant. R5413:3
The good – His whole dealing at this time is with the Church. R5414:2
The Lord will be with the good work that his faithful people will do. R5414:1
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