Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. And 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? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you. Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God." 2 Chronicles 19:1-3

King Jehoshaphat was good, but not wise. He loved and honored God but he lacked discernment, especially when dealing with the godless. The most pressing cases in point are the king’s social, economic, political, and military alliances with wicked King Ahab and with Ahab’s son, Ahaziah.

Though we cannot perfectly read the minds of people in antiquity, we may cautiously wonder if Jehoshaphat’s foolishness stemmed from a presupposition that people are “basically good” and may be trusted allies.

It is good to think the best of people, but even a wisp of discernment would have said that neither Ahab nor Ahaziah deserved any such benefit of the doubt.

As Christians we should not enter into covenant agreements with non-believers even if they seem like “good folk.” Doesn’t 2 Corinthians 6:14 warn us not to be “unequally yoked” with non believers? This does not mean we can have no dealings with non-believers, but we must not enter into contractual or covenantal unions with those who are not committed believers. This includes, but is not limited to, marriages and business partnerships (especially if the union is in the least way binding.)

“But, but, but…”

When God speaks there are no buts!