4th.: Jehoshaphat’s Business Deal
Jehoshaphat knew to seek the Lord, when his life (or others) was at stake,
such as in the following three impending battles:
1. When preparing to fight the Syrians with King Ahab of Israel (see 1st Kings 22:5, 7).
2. The Moabite Invasion (2nd Chr. 20).
3. With King Jehoram against the Moabites (seperate incident from above) (see 2nd Kings 3:11).
Unfortunately, Jehoshaphat did not seek the Lord’s guidance for business deals,
such as one with King Ahaziah of Israel.
“And after this, did Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, joined himself with Ahaziah, king of Israel … to make ships to go to Tarshish. Then Eliezer, prophesied, “’The Lord has broken thy works’.” (2nd Chr. 20:35a, 36a, 37b).
As things turned out all of Jehosphat's ships were destroyed (2nd Chr. 20:37c),
And Jehoshaphat had to take a big loss.
Specifically, God opposed Jehoshaphat, because he had allied himself with the wicked king Ahaziah (2nd Chr. 20:37b).
Jehoshaphat should have sought the Lord’s advice, even when it came to business adventures
What about us?
“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord.” (Rom. 14:8a)