2 Chronicles 20:37 – “Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.’ The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, we see the consequence of King Jehoshaphat’s decision to form an alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel. God, through the prophet Eliezer, announces that because Jehoshaphat had compromised by partnering with an ungodly king, God would not bless their venture. Specifically, the ships they built for trade were destroyed before they could even set sail.
This incident serves as a direct rebuke from God, reminding Jehoshaphat—and us—of the dangers of forming partnerships with those who oppose God’s ways. Despite Jehoshaphat’s general faithfulness throughout his reign, this poor decision led to a clear and immediate consequence: failure of the trading venture. The verse highlights the importance of obedience to God and the negative results of compromising one’s faith for worldly gain.
Historical Context
Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah, ruling during a time of relative stability, especially when compared to the northern kingdom of Israel, which was under Ahaziah. Ahaziah, the king of Israel, continued in the idolatrous practices of his parents, Ahab and Jezebel. He was known for his wickedness, and his rule was marked by disobedience to God. In the preceding verses, we learn that Jehoshaphat entered into an alliance with Ahaziah to build a fleet of trading ships. While the venture may have seemed like a smart economic decision, it was not in line with God’s will, as Ahaziah’s actions were contrary to God’s ways.
The prophet Eliezer, mentioned in this verse, delivers God’s judgment on Jehoshaphat’s decision. God’s message is clear: because Jehoshaphat partnered with a wicked king, the venture would fail. This came to pass when the ships were wrecked before they could begin trading. Jehoshaphat’s earlier decisions to trust in God during times of war brought peace and success, but this time, his decision to rely on an ungodly alliance brought failure.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse emphasizes that God cares deeply about who we align ourselves with, especially when it comes to partnerships and decisions that influence our lives. Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah represents a moment of compromise where worldly wisdom—seeking financial gain through trade—overruled godly wisdom. By entering into an alliance with a wicked king, Jehoshaphat failed to honor God’s standard of holiness and separation from idolatry.
The verse also teaches us about the principle of consequences. God is merciful and patient, but He also holds His people accountable for their actions. Jehoshaphat’s decision had an immediate consequence: the destruction of the ships. This serves as a reminder that when we disobey or compromise our faith, there can be real consequences that impact our lives. While God forgives, He also disciplines us for our good (Hebrews 12:6).
Lastly, the verse highlights God’s sovereignty. Even though Jehoshaphat had plans to prosper through this business venture, God intervened to prevent its success because it was not aligned with His will. This shows us that God is in control, and no matter how good our plans may seem, if they are built on the wrong foundation, they will not succeed.
Literary Analysis
This verse functions as a conclusion to the account of Jehoshaphat’s ill-fated alliance with Ahaziah. The use of prophecy through Eliezer adds a divine stamp of authority to the narrative, showing that it was not simply bad luck or chance that caused the ships to fail, but rather God’s direct intervention. The phrase “the Lord will destroy what you have made” is particularly strong, indicating that God was taking action against this specific decision.
The verse contrasts with earlier stories of Jehoshaphat’s faithfulness, where his reliance on God led to victory and peace. Here, the shift is clear: when Jehoshaphat chose to trust in an ungodly alliance, the result was destruction. The prophecy, followed immediately by its fulfillment (the wrecking of the ships), underscores the swift and sure nature of God’s judgment in this case.
Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 127:1 – “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” This verse echoes the theme of 2 Chronicles 20:37, showing that without God’s blessing, human efforts are futile. Jehoshaphat’s partnership with Ahaziah was doomed because it did not have God’s approval.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Jehoshaphat’s mistake was relying on human wisdom rather than seeking God’s guidance. This proverb reminds us of the importance of trusting God over worldly strategies.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?” This New Testament verse speaks directly to the danger of forming close partnerships with those who do not honor God, just as Jehoshaphat did with Ahaziah.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder to seek God’s will in all our decisions, especially when it comes to partnerships and alliances. Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah is an example of how even a godly person can make a poor decision when influenced by worldly desires, such as the pursuit of wealth or success.
This verse challenges us to consider the motivations behind our decisions. Are we seeking God’s guidance, or are we relying on human wisdom? Just as Jehoshaphat’s venture was destroyed because it wasn’t aligned with God’s will, we too risk failure when we pursue paths that do not honor God.
It also reminds us of the importance of avoiding compromises with those who do not share our values or faith. While we are called to love and engage with the world, we must be careful not to align ourselves too closely with those who live in opposition to God’s ways.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is evident in this verse, even in the act of discipline. By destroying the ships, God was correcting Jehoshaphat’s mistake and preventing him from continuing down a path that could lead to further spiritual compromise. God’s discipline, while sometimes painful, is always meant to protect and guide His people back to faithfulness.
This verse also shows that God desires what is best for His people. He didn’t want Jehoshaphat to succeed in an alliance that would ultimately harm him spiritually. In His love, God intervened to stop the venture before it could cause further damage to Jehoshaphat’s integrity and to Judah’s spiritual health.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ by illustrating the importance of staying faithful and avoiding compromises with the world. Jesus Himself was tempted by worldly power and success but remained faithful to God’s will, refusing to compromise His mission for earthly gain (Matthew 4:8-10).
- Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” This teaching of Jesus echoes the principle seen in Jehoshaphat’s story: we cannot serve both God and worldly desires without compromising our faith.
- John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus teaches that true success comes from abiding in Him, not from relying on human partnerships or plans, much like how Jehoshaphat’s venture failed because it was not grounded in God’s will.
Through Jesus, we are called to remain faithful to God and avoid the temptations of worldly alliances that can lead us away from His purpose for our lives.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever entered into a partnership or made a decision that you later realized wasn’t in line with God’s will? What were the consequences?
- How does this verse challenge you to seek God’s guidance before making important decisions, especially in areas like business or relationships?
- Are there any areas in your life where you might be tempted to compromise your faith for worldly success or approval? How can you resist those temptations?
- How does God’s discipline, as seen in this verse, show His love and desire to protect us from further harm?
- In what ways can you ensure that your decisions and partnerships are grounded in God’s will, rather than influenced by worldly desires?
This verse reminds us of the importance of making decisions that honor God and avoid the temptation to compromise for worldly gain. Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah led to failure because it was not grounded in faithfulness to God. Through Jesus, we are called to remain true to God’s will, trusting that He will provide for us when we follow Him wholeheartedly.