Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, went up to visit Ahab, king of Israel, who invited him to join in the battle against Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat’s response to Ahab was, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war” (1 Kings 18:3).
What prompted Jehoshaphat to speak this way? Was there a sweet, irenic, ecumenical spirit sweeping the land in his day (as there is in ours)? While it is true that they were all brethren in the flesh, nevertheless, they were not brethren spiritually. Why not? The reason involves (liberals, sit down for this) doctrine. Judah followed (albeit imperfectly) the commands of Jehovah; Israel followed the changes instituted by Jeroboam. Thus, they still had the golden calves, unauthorized priests, a different feast day than what God had commanded, and two cities to worship in other than Jerusalem (see 1 Kings 12:25-33).
So what’s the problem? Well, sure, the golden calves are a direct violation of the second commandment, but the others are not so bad. After all, God never said that members of the other tribes could NOT be priests. So they added another feast day; at least it didn’t conflict with the one in Jerusalem; people could attend both if they desired. And the cities? Why, it is only a matter of convenience. Traveling all the way to Jerusalem could prove to be a hardship for some; why not make it easier for people to worship? [Don’t these sound like some of the same arguments that brethren are using today to change things and fellowship nearly anyone?]
“Besides, none of us is perfect; we are all in error on something. Unity must prevail over Truth; if we are going to insist on truth, we will reap nothing but division.” So says the wisdom of this modern age.
Now consider God’s wisdom. He sent Hanani the seer to speak to Jehoshaphat after the battle was fought, in which Ahab died: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?” (2 Chron. 19:2). That’s right. Those who have changed God’s doctrines and are worshiping falsely, according to the Scriptures (not just the “opinion” of harsh, unloving conservatives) hate the Lord. Furthermore, it is wrong for us to fellowship them in a spiritual way.
Like so many brethren today who remain in congregations who fellowship those who hate the Lord (whether denominations or brethren in serious error), Jehoshaphat was a slow learner. Ahab’s son and successor, Ahaziah (who walked in his father’s evil ways), proposed a business venture to Jehoshaphat, and again he was eager to have fellowship with Israel. This time the prophet Eliezer told him: “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works” (2 Chron. 20:35-37).
Jehoshaphat finally understood God’s will in this matter. When Ahaziah suggested rebuilding the ships and letting the sailors be from both nations, the king of Judah refused (1 Kings 22:48-49). He finally complied with God’s position on fellowship. Will some of our brethren ever comprehend this point?