“Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the Lord.”” 2 Chronicles 18:4
In Today’s Reading we’re told that King Jehoshaphat had “allied himself by marriage with Ahab”. Though this would become a snare to him in the years ahead, overall he was a good king. We also read that “years later he went down to visit Ahab at Samaria. And Ahab slaughtered many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead.” So to summarize, he marries into the Family, is Wined and Dined, and then coerced to join the In Laws in a War Campaign.
Initially, he responds ““I am as you are, and my people as your people, and we will be with you in the battle” but then adds this caveat from Today’s Verse “Please inquire first for the word of the Lord.” Ahab would reluctantly agree, and Micaiah the Prophet would be brought in to declare God’s Word.
What is our posture regarding choices and decisions we make, whether minor or major? Yes, God can use our friends and family to counsel us or our circumstances to guide, but do we go to God? 1st, do we pray, or “Inquire” of the Lord? 2nd, do we seek an answer from the Bible? If God is our Father, these should be our first and foremost sources, not secondary!!!