Finish in Old Age - 2 Chronicles 17-20

2 Chronicles 20:35-37 (ESV)
After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.

Jehoshaphat is an interesting leader to study.   In his youth he does well by reading God’s Word and obeying it (chapter 17).  Later (chapter 18) he makes an alliance with wicked King Ahab of Israel and almost has his downfall.   Then, he again turns to God and has some great reforms (chapters 19-20).   But, then, at the end of his life we read the above account.  Why in his old age and with this experience would he be lead to do this?  Pride?  It would be tough to know why this happens, but he is not the first.   Hezekiah does the same thing in the end of his life.   David, toward the end of his life, numbers the nation out of pride.   Jehoshaphat was moving along quite well.  But, like his alliance with Ahab was almost fatal, this alliance with Ahaziah was as equally displeasing to God.   God is concerned about our business practices, even later in life when we have served Him well.   God wants us to finish to the end.  Perhaps this is why Paul told young pastor Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Finishing is as important as starting.   Yes, we need to get started in our faith journey with God.  But, we must finish.  We must endure to the end.  The writer of Hebrews has much to say about endurance and finishing the race.   The entire twelfth chapter of Hebrews is dedicated to that theme.   Jehoshaphat should have heard these words and perhaps, in old age , he would not have failed at the end:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.