How does 2 Chronicles 22:6 illustrate the importance of seeking Godly counsel? Setting the Scene • “So Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram the son of Ahab because he had been wounded.” (2 Chronicles 22:6) • One short verse, yet it sits in a tragic narrative: Judah’s young king Ahaziah leaves Jerusalem to visit his wounded northern ally, King Joram of Israel—the house God had already pronounced judgment upon. • The visit looks benign, even compassionate. Scripture immediately shows, however, that it was a fatal move (see v. 7). What Ahaziah Did—And Didn’t Do • He followed relational ties, not divine direction. There is no record of prayer, prophecy, or priestly counsel guiding this trip. • He leaned on the wrong advisors. Earlier verses expose his circle: – “His mother gave him wicked counsel.” (v. 3) – “The house of Ahab… were his counselors after the death of his father to his destruction.” (v. 4) • He ignored clear warning signs. God had already judged Ahab’s house (1 Kings 21:20–24), yet Ahaziah drew closer instead of distancing himself. The Consequences of Ungodly Alliances • Verse 7 states plainly: “Ahaziah’s downfall came from God when he went to Joram.” The visit positioned him for Jehu’s purge; Ahaziah was slain the same day (2 Chronicles 22:8–9). • The collapse was swift, public, and irreversible—illustrating Proverbs 13:20: “The companion of fools will be destroyed.” • Judah itself felt the shockwaves; leadership vacuum and turmoil followed, showing how personal choices ripple through an entire nation. Timeless Principles for Us Today • Godly counsel protects; ungodly counsel destroys. Compare Ahaziah’s story with his grandfather Jehoshaphat, who, when surrounded by enemies, prayed, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Jehoshaphat’s reliance on divine counsel brought victory, while Ahaziah’s reliance on human alliance brought death. • Compassion is good; compromise is deadly. Visiting a wounded friend seems merciful, yet allegiance to rebels against God can blur moral lines (Psalm 1:1). • Neutral moments reveal spiritual direction. A seemingly routine trip exposed the deep loyalties of Ahaziah’s heart. Everyday decisions likewise uncover whom we truly trust. Wise Steps Toward Godly Counsel • Run decisions through the filter of Scripture first (Psalm 119:105). • Seek advisors who fear the Lord and handle His Word faithfully (Proverbs 11:14). • Weigh relational pull against covenant loyalty to God; affection never outranks obedience (Luke 14:26). • Watch for repeated warnings. If God keeps highlighting a danger, do not press forward as Ahaziah did. • Remember that counsel shapes destiny. Walk with the wise, and wisdom becomes your path (Proverbs 13:20). |
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