Kings of Judah: Jehoshaphat
2 Chronicles 17:3-11
Primary Purpose: To be encouraged to seek the Lord and the blessings only
He can provide.
Today we are looking at the King of Judah named Jehoshaphat. He is mentioned in 1 Kings 22:41-50 and also in this passage in 2 Chronicles. We
want to look at his life and try to draw from it spiritual principles. We want to look at how he experienced life, crisis, joys and decision making. We
want to understand why and how God blessed him. We want to see how he sought after the Lord. (Read Scripture 2 Chronicles 17:3-11)
Jehoshaphat Legacy:
1. He sought after the Lord and the Lord was with Him v.3-4 Perhaps he learned a lesson from his father, perhaps there was a good example out there for him that we don’t know about. We know that God gives us a choice just like he did with Moses and the Israelites (Look in Deut 30:15-19) He gives us a choice as a nation and as individuals. He promises to bless, hear, forgive and heal if we will only look to him (2 Chron 7:14).
A. The Lord blessed him because of this and established his kingdom v.5 Not only did he avoid war with others and with Israel (1 Ki 22:44). He received
tribute from others because God was with him. v.5,11 Even the Philistines brought him tribute. The “fear of the Lord” or a reverence for God fell on
the land. The people saw that God was with the king and didn’t attack him because of God’s hand on him. This is first mentioned in Ex 23:27. God was
protecting the people from harm.
b. In his seeking he was uniquely devoted to the Lord. He used his influence to have the idols that people were still worshipping put away. Many of the
good kings didn’t have the people put away the high places, he did because God said that sacrifices would only be made at the temple.
He didn’t see himself as simply a political figurehead. He used his power to try to draw others to the Lord and to be a good influence on them.
He was obeying the 1st and 2nd commandment in Exodus 20:3-4 which tells us not to worship idols.
2. He established teaching points around the land. He sent the Levites out to teach the people. He honored the Word of God. He felt that it was
important that the people understand who the Lord is and what the Word says. He didn’t want them worshipping just because he said so. He wanted
them to understand it for themselves. v.7-9. They didn’t have synagogues in those days. How do I use my influence to point others to the Word?
A new minister was asked to teach a boys class in the absence of their regular Sunday School teacher. He decided to see what they knew,so he
asked who knocked down the walls of Jericho. All the boys denied having done it, and the preacher was appalled at their ignorance. At the next
deacon’s meeting he told about the experience. “Not one of them knows who knocked down the walls of Jericho.” he lamented. The group was silent until
one seasoned veteran of disputes spoke up. “Preacher, this appears to be bothering you alot. But I’ve known all those boys since they were born and they’re good boys. If they said they didn’t know, I believe them. Let’s just take some money out of the repair and maintenance fund, fix the walls and let it go at that.”
This is a humorous story that illustrates the spiritual ignorance that many have about the Bible. Former Secretary of Education William Bennett
has concluded that “We have become the kind of societ that civilized countries used to send missionaries to.”
Pollster George Gallup Jr has often referred to American as a “nation of Biblical illiterates.” In his polls, he finds that only 4 in 10 American know
that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. A majority of Americans cannot name the 4 gospels in the N.T. Only 3 in 10 teenagers know why Easter is celebrated. 2/3 of American believe that there are few, if any, absolute principles to direct human behavior. Earlier surveys by a man named George Barna revealed that barely half of Lutherans, Methodists and
Presbyterians believe in the devil, but 56 percent of Lutherans and 49% of Methodists believe in UFO’s.
He understood what it says in Deut 8:3 “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” He sought
to influence his people to be people of the Word.
3. He acted wisely in protecting his people. Even though he was at peace with Israel, he fortified the cities neighboring Israel. v.2,12-13. He realized
that the best offense sometimes is a good defense. He wasn’t lazy.
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
a. He sought the Lord’s counsel at all times. (18:4,6) He allied himself with the King of Israel because he recognized that they are direct descendants of the same people. He says this in 18:3. But, even after joining the King of Israel he expresses a desire to seek God’s counsel if they are to go to war
