2 Chronicles 19:1-11
Monday, 26 June 2023
"So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers…” 2 Chronicles 19:4
Its noteworthy that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah restored the path of the people back to the God of their fathers. In the previous chapter we read that he had almost got himself killed because he had given his hand in support to the wicked King Ahab to fight against his enemy. Then Jehu the son of Hanani the prophet reproved him on his return. Nevertheless, God was willing to overlook his folly because he did the right thing to turn back his people to God. This whole chapter is about the reforms instituted for the leaders/ people to deal courageously and justly because the Lord is with those who do right.
Why is godly leadership important? We see in the book of Kings and Chronicles the end of the people who followed King Saul and the ones who followed David. The difference being whom they followed. The ones who followed David, a man after Gods’ own heart had victory and the ones who followed King Saul who walked after his own heart had defeat, even Jonathan (Saul’s son who loved David).
Another example is Ruth. Naomi and her family suffered calamity when they were living in Moab after they left Bethlehem. But when Naomi decided to return to the correct path to Bethlehem, Ruth followed and was restored of everything that she had lost.
King Hezekiah abolished idolatry from the kingdom that his father had established, by destroying the high places and the "bronze serpent” which became the focus of idolatrous worship. Instead he established the worship of God at the Temple in Jerusalem and resumed the Passover Festival/pilgrimage. He was blessed with extension of his life and his people were at peace. He is even mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
All the above examples tell us that godly leadership results in blessing, both for the leader and the follower. The Bible warns us in James 1:22-25: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,…….” We must be one of God's faithful watchmen who by the grace of God practises His Law of Love and warns those both in the world and in the Church to cease living in sin.
How can we be an effective restorer/follower of the path?
· We have to break free of the bonds of religion. (Matt. 23:1-27).
· Clear the Temple – “He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ (Matthew 21:13).
· Accept not only the invitation but also the participation, which is the price we have to pay to follow Christ. (Matthew 22).
· Cleanse the leaven. (1 Corinthians 5:7)
· Do not grow weary. (Hebrews 12:12-17)
· Be a living sacrifice, (Romans 12:1,2)
· Be a good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23)
· Proper shepherding of the flock of God (I Peter 5)
So let us look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), the One who led by example. Let us continually follow Him and restore others to His path.
Meditate: And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching." – Titus 2:7