Jehoshaphat's Reforms

 

 

2 Chronicles 19:1-11

 

July 22, 2023

 

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem.  But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.  Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he 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.  He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment.  Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.  And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart:  whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus, you shall do, and you will not incur guilt.  And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!”

 

Wake up Church

 

God sent Jehu the seer to meet King Jehoshaphat on his return from helping the evil king of Israel.  This was what the Lord had told him to say; “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?  My brother and I were talking about H.E.B. a giant in the Texas food business, and who’s founder was a believer in Jesus Christ.  They did something that made no business sense they went after a 3% market taking the risk of offending the 97% of faithful customers.  They were the largest sponsor in Austin, Texas of a drag queen show for children.  When I told my brother how crazy that was after what happened to Target and Bud Light, this was his reply; “Christians are not like Bud drinkers, they only care about getting what they want.”  Christians in name but will a follower of Christ do so.?

 

It has been uncomfortable and inconvenient to change away from H.E.B.  But this verse, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?” and other verses kept telling me I must.  The verse that follows should alarm a Follower of Christ; “Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.”

 

 It is time to understand that God has not changed, and Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the Knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”  And to be reminded that 1 Peter 4:17, has this reminder to His Church, “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

I often look at “Got Questions” this was their comment, (The context of 1 Peter 4:17 explains more about the judgment that begins at the household of God. In this chapter Peter is exhorting the church—the house of God—which was facing persecution, to persevere. The believers were also struggling to separate from the former worldly sins that had once enslaved them (verses 1–4). Peter reminds them that the wicked will face God’s judgment (verse 5) but that believers in Christ must hold themselves to a higher standard than they once did. The “fiery trials” that they were facing were to help refine them like gold (verse 12). 

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice