DIRECTING YOUR WAY

2Chronicles 27:1-9

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

So Jotham became powerful because he directed his ways before the LORD his God. 2Chron.27:6[NASB]

The Books of Kings and Chronicles give us a peek into the lives and reign of the kings of Israel in the period before the nation was totally dismantled and the period of exile prevailed. We see the chronicler differentiating the kings who were aligned with God and His ways and those who weren’t. We see both these phrases, “he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD” and “he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD” repeatedly in the accounts of the kings! Today’s reading points us to Jotham, a king who became powerful because he directed his ways before the Lord!

When we read the short account of Jotham, we can note two key aspects of his success:

1. He did not follow the wrong practice of his father (v.2)

Jotham’s father Uzziah had been a successful king and had done much right in the eyes of the Lord (2Chron.26:4,5). But at the peak of his success story, pride got the better of him and he violated the principle of the Lord in the Temple which brought the chastening of the Lord, being afflicted with leprosy (2Chron.26:16-20). Uzziah failed to honour the principle of the Lord that only the priests could burn incense at the altar of incense when he tried to do it himself. Though warned by the priests, he was angry at them and the Lord struck him with leprosy which caused him to be banned from the Temple for the rest of his lifetime. 

Jotham may have caught the lesson from the incident of his father since it is mentioned in our reading today “…but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the LORD” (v.2). Jotham kept his boundaries and did not misuse his position as a king to do as he liked, disregarding God’s ordained principles. 

2. He intentionally followed the way of the Lord (vs.2,6). 

Jotham saw the consequences of his father’s wrong actions and avoided going the same path but instead chose to follow God’s instructed way. He walked steadfastly before the Lord, which shows he was careful to keep himself going in the right direction. It is written he became powerful a powerful king as a result of that! There were good choices he made for the betterment of his nation.

What shall we learn from this short account of king Jotham?

• Pride leads to downfall. Scripture is replete with this lesson, time and again giving many examples about those who suffered in consequence of their pride.

• Turning away from the boundaries in God’s Word has its repercussions. Obeying God’s instructions is protective for His children. 

• When we yielding to the wrong desires of the flesh, the leprosy of sin afflicts! 1 John 2:16 [NLT] says: “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” It is those who do the will of the Father in heaven that lives forever (1John 2:17)

• There is an intentional choice one makes to keep the way of the Lord as portrayed in His Word. There is a blessing that follows it.  Psalm 37: 34 encourages us: “Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.”

Shall we choose to direct our way in the way of the Lord and keep at it so that we may enjoy a good and satisfying life?

To Follow: How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.(Ps.119:9 ESV)