There are miserable counselors all over the place. They are not in short supply. They cost collateral damage in societies. They are in government, work places, business arenas, and are also in the church of God. Those who give in to their lies are easily destroyed.
“Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counselors after the death of his father to his destruction” (2 Chronicles 22:4).
The book of 2 Chronicles 22:1-12, Ahaziah, son and successor of Jehoram, and grandson of Jehoshaphat was made king over Judah. His reign, like that of his namesake of Samaria, was very brief, lasting but a year and characterized by idolatry and departure from the precept of God.
Being related to the royal house of Israel through his mother Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel and Ahab, he was fully in sympathy, politically and religiously with all the idolatry and witchcraft practiced therein.
Joram, the king of Israel, having been wounded in battle, returned to Jezreel to recuperate. Ahaziah also left the field of conflict in Gilead, and came to Jezreel for a conference with Joram. Meanwhile, the great uprising under Jehu had begun. Joram was slain.
Ahaziah fled by way of the “house of the garden.” He was overtaken by Jehu’s soldiers and wounded in his chariot; but the stroke was not immediately fatal. Ahaziah escaped southward, and died on reaching Megiddo. His body was taken to Jerusalem and buried in the royal sepulcher there.
In the multitude of evil counsellors there is destruction. Having such counsellors as Athaliah, the daughter of Omir, and the evil faculty of the idolatrous house of Ahab was a recipe for paralysis.
No wonder Ahaziah did evil in the sight of the Lord. His counsellors kept him out of the ways of God until he met his untimely death. The anarchy, which followed the death of Ahaziah, greatly weakened the monarchy of Judah; but it was a necessary step in the purgation of the kingdom from the taint of Baal-worship.
The counsel of the ungodly ruins many young persons’ when they are setting out in the world. Ahaziah gave himself up to be led by evil men. Those who advise us to do wickedly, lead us to destruction; while they pretend to be friends, they are our worst enemies.
Avoid the mischief of bad company for that will not profit you. Cling to Christ and follow His steps.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A man is deceived when he walks away from God’s principles.