The Rebuke of a Friend

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I've always loved this proverb:

Proverbs 27:6 (ESV) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Jehoshaphat was "kissed" by Ahab in the last chapter and it nearly cost him his kingdom and his life. In 2 Chronicles 19, however, Jehoshaphat is wounded by a friend named Jehu.

The way back to God is often found through relationships. Such is the case with Jehoshaphat. This noble and powerful and blessed king had made a horrible decision in 2 Chronicles 18. He aligned with the wicked Ahab. Perhaps he felt too secure, perhaps he felt the need to be friends with the neighbors to the north ignoring their rampant immorality. Perhaps he sought international peace through allegiance. Whatever the reason, Jehoshaphat drifted from God. But with the horrible experiences behind him in chapter 18, the next chapter opens with the rebuke of a friend.

2 Chronicles 19:1–3 (ESV) Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But 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? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

Jehu, as we have already seen in 2 Kings is a man of intense faith. He's radical. And sometimes you need radical for your life to wake up from the slumber that might destroy you. Even though Jehoshaphat is safe in his home, he's not safe in the spiritual realm. There's always a difference between safety in the world and safety before our God. Jesus tells us to choose safety before our God over the world always:

Luke 9:25 (ESV) For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Jehoshaphat heard and received the message loud and clear:

2 Chronicles 19:4 (ESV) Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

He went to work appointing judges to rule over the people impartially. And in his command to them there is a hint of his sense of grief that he let Ahab seduce him into an alliance with increase for himself:

2 Chronicles 19:7 (ESV) Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

Then he appointed Levites to decide delicate disputes between the people. Jehoshaphat saw firsthand how being torn from his brothers in the faith harmed his relationship with the Lord. He did not want that for the people. 

Jehoshaphat may have fallen, but the faithful wounds of a friend brought him back and led him to repent. You see what repentance is here? Jehoshaphat is not simply being sorry for doing what was wrong, he is now acting in accordance with the truth we receive. 

Let us be thankful for the wounds of those who care enough to tell us the truth. God is not out to get us in these relationships. No, He wants to bring us back to Himself. He wants to keep us from the disaster the enemy has in mind for us. In truth - He wants to show us His unfailing love even when it hurts.