Walking in God's Commandments

God's Creative Word
God Calls For Justice:  Justice Enacted
Jehoshaphat Makes Judicial Reforms

2 Chronicles 17:1-6

The Message

Jehoshaphat of Judah

 ^1-6 Asa's son Jehoshaphat was the next king; he started out by working on his defense system against Israel. He put troops in all the fortress cities of Judah and deployed garrisons throughout Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured. God was on Jehoshaphat's side because he stuck to the ways of his father Asa's early years. He didn't fool around with the popular Baal religion—he was a seeker and follower of the God of his father and was obedient to him; he wasn't like Israel. And God secured the kingdom under his rule, gave him a firm grip on it. And everyone in Judah showed their appreciation by bringing gifts. Jehoshaphat ended up very rich and much honored. He was single-minded in following God; and he got rid of the local sex-and-religion shrines.

For Reflection

How do we teach?  How do we learn?  Israel was on the cusp of a serious decline.  Jehoshaphat was God fearing and lead his people in the ways of God.  Thus, it was Jehoshaphat, not Israel's leader, who with God's approval protected Israel.  It was he , by his actions, taught the people how to be obedient to God.

 

Pray

that by your action you teach about God's justice.  Pray that by observing you others will understand Gods justice.  Pray that you will align your action with God's will for you.