in which they were to share the risks and losses, but not to divide the gains. To this tbe King of Judah nnwisely consented. The" offensive alliance" was a mistake on his part. Simple straightforwardness needs to be fhrnked with some wariness or natural sag:icity, otherwise it may lead us into compromising and even ruinous situations. In the conduct of our life, it is of very great importance that we should not show unwariness in- I. 'l'rrE FORMATION OF OUR FRIENDSHIPS. Jehoshaphat did an unwise thing in form- ing a friendship with Ahab; intimacy with such a man could not possibly end in his own elevation. We should not" love them that hate the Lord" (see homily on eh. ~ix. 2). In nothing is it more needful to show wariness and wisdom than in the choice of our friends; a mistake here means bitter disappointment, unimaginable misery, and, in all likelihood, spiritual deterioration if not positive ruin. Be slow to bind this bond of friendship, which may, indeed, be a link to every good thing that blesses us, but which may be a fetter that chains us to every bad thing that curses and degrades us, II. THE ENCOUNTERING OF SOCIAL PERIT,S. Whether or not Jehoshaphat suffered from the blandishments and allurements of the court where Jezebel was queen, we do not know. Certainly he ought to have thought twice before he exposed himself and his attendants to that serious peril. How much of social peril can we meet and master? That is a question which every man must answer for himself. But it is clear that a very large number of human souls have overestimated their capacity for resistance. The degenerating influences of a society which is not Christian, but worldly, or vicious, are a power which we must only encounter with the utmost circumspection. We may take counsel here of Ahab himself (1 Kings xx. 11). Men go airily and easily to the contest with those social forces, and they come out of the conflict worsted and wounded, perhaps even unto death. Be wary here, for you stand in a" slippery place." III. THE UNDERTAKING OF OUR .ACHIEVEMENTS. Very readily, to all appearance, Jehoshaphat acceded to Ahab's proposal (ver. 2). But it was one involving himself, his family, his princes, and his people in great hazards. Syria was a power not at all to be despised, and, except the Lord appeared on their behalf, they would most likely be defeated. And what reason had Jehoshaphat to conclude that he would have the arm of ,Jehovah on his side when he was going hand-in-hand with such a man as Ahab? It was a very doubtful procedure; and the haste with which it was agreed upon showed no sagacity at all. Before we adopt our neighbour's proposal we should weigh well all its probable and, so far as we can tell, its possible consequences; and not those which affect ourselves only, but those also which affect our kindred and con- nections. We may go "with a light heart" into an enterprise that means nothing less than disaster. Before undertaking anything of importance, there should be (1) careful consideration, looking at the subject from all points of view; (2) consultation with the wise and good; (3) prayer for Divine guidance. IV. THE REGULATION OF OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE. Some men leave the retention of their spiritual integrity almost wholly to their good impulses. But this is a rash and perilous course. It is, indeed, the foolish and often fatal absence of all method. He who has the wariness which is wisdom, will adopt and maintain carefully regulated habiu. of devotion and of self-culture.-C. Ver. 4.-Inquiring of the Lord. We are not at all surprised that J ehosbapbat ~id not wish to risk the chances of a great battle' without "inquiring at the word of the Lord." For it was with him as it should be with us- L A WIBE .A.ND HOLY HABIT to seek a knowledge of God's mind, and the supreme advantaii;e of bis direction. Not, indeed, that he invariably asked in this admirable spirit. If we may judge from the silence of Scripture, he had hurried into this ques- tionable partnership without any such reverent solicitude (see preceding homily), Nevertheless, as a devout servant of Jehovah, he was accustomed to consult the Divine will; e.nd it was, r.o doubt, a strong feeling that he must not depart from this good habit on so great an occasion that prompted. him to ask of Ahab what that king would most willin"lv have dispensed with. It should be our constant custom, our fixed habit of life~ to inquire of God concerning everything we propose to ourselves to do; and more particularly respecting the greater events of lifo on which large issues hang. Eor who are we that we should lea.n unto or upon "our own understanding"? How OH, xvm. 1-34.J THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 221
few of all possible considemtions can we take into our mind! How impossible for us to give tbe proper weight to those which are the more grave and serious! How short a way cnn we look into the future, and how unable we are to foretell what other factors, now out of eight, will come into play ! How continually our greatest sagacity must prove to be but childish simplicity in the sight of him who sees everything at a glance! How wise, therefore, to form the habit of continually inquiring of God, of seekina Divine 0 guidance at every stage and oven at every step of our human ]if !0
II. THE RARE PRIVILEGE for which we may not look. Jeh, shaphat wished to know, not only whether God was willing for him to go up to the battle, but also that lw would return victorious. He believed that he might gain, not only the instruction, but the information be desired. Now, it is not at all certain that God never gives bis people intimation of coming events in our own time; the evidence is rather the other way. But we may not look for Divine predictions as the ordinary and regular thing. Certainty concerning the event would probably have an unfavourable effect on the duty and the struggle before the event. It is, on the whole, best for us not to know what the issue will be; best for us to act as if the result were hanging on our own fidelity. The "long result" we do know, and rejoice to foresee: it nerves us for action ; it sustains us in misfortune and temporary defeat. But as to the immediate issue we are best left in uncertainty. III. THE PROMISE WE MAY PLEAD, AND THE HOPE WE MAY CHERISH. (Ps. xxx.10; cxxi.; Prov. iii. 6; Isa. lviii. 11; Matt. vii. 7-11; Heb. xiii. 6.) If we are walking in the fear of God, and are his children reconciled to him in Jesus Christ, then we may continually ask and confidently expect (1) his guidance at the outset, and (2) his help all through the work we have undertaken, the duty we are discharging, the burden we are bearing. Reverently, intelligently, obediently, God "will be inquired of" by those who love and serve him.-C.