II Chronicles 19: A Call to Righteous Leadership and Just Governance
And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer–sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.
And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.
Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.
II Chronicles 19 presents a powerful narrative of both rebuke and reform, centered on King Jehoshaphat of Judah. It highlights the importance of righteous leadership, just governance, and the prophetic role of speaking truth to power. This chapter offers timeless lessons applicable to individuals, communities, and nations seeking to align themselves with God's will.
Rebuke and Recognition (II Chronicles 19:1-3)
Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, drew a sharp rebuke from the Lord through Jehu, son of the seer Hanani. II Chronicles 19:2 underscores the gravity of this decision: "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you." This verse serves as a stark reminder that aligning ourselves with unrighteousness carries consequences.
However, the Lord's message, delivered through Jehu, was not solely condemnation. II Chronicles 19:3 acknowledges Jehoshaphat's positive contributions: "Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God." This blend of rebuke and recognition offers a balanced perspective. God sees both our failings and our efforts to follow Him. It's a reminder that even when we stumble, God recognizes and values our commitment to Him.
Repentance and Reform (II Chronicles 19:4-11)
Unlike Ahab, who imprisoned the prophet Micaiah for speaking truth (I Kings 22:26), Jehoshaphat received God's message with humility and a willingness to change. II Chronicles 19:4 describes how he "went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers." This indicates a renewed commitment to leading his people back to God.
Jehoshaphat's response was not merely emotional; it was practical and systemic. He instituted judicial reforms, appointing judges throughout the land and instructing them to act with integrity and impartiality. II Chronicles 19:6-7 emphasizes the solemn responsibility of these judges: "Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes."
He also appointed Levites, priests, and heads of families to serve as a court of appeals in Jerusalem (II Chronicles 19:8-11). Jehoshaphat charged them to act "in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a loyal heart" (II Chronicles 19:9). This comprehensive approach to justice and governance demonstrates a commitment to establishing righteousness throughout the kingdom.
Lessons for Today
While we may not live in Old Testament Israel, the principles found in II Chronicles 19 remain relevant today.
The Accountability of Civil Government: Even today, civil governments are accountable to God. Romans 13:3-4 speaks to the role of government in promoting good and punishing evil.
The Church's Prophetic Role: The church has a responsibility to be a prophetic voice, reminding society of God's moral standards. This means speaking truth to power and advocating for justice and righteousness.
The Need for Righteous Leadership: Society desperately needs leaders who embody righteousness and justice. A society can never rise above the quality of its leadership. We should pray for and support leaders who seek to uphold God's standards in their decision-making.
Personal Application: We can apply these principles to our own lives by striving to live with integrity, seeking justice in our interactions, and speaking truth in love. We must examine our own alliances and ensure they align with God's will. Just as Jehoshaphat was both rebuked and commended, we too can learn from our mistakes and build upon our strengths, always striving to draw closer to God and reflect His character in all we do.
And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer–sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.
And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.
Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.
II Chronicles 19 presents a powerful narrative of both rebuke and reform, centered on King Jehoshaphat of Judah. It highlights the importance of righteous leadership, just governance, and the prophetic role of speaking truth to power. This chapter offers timeless lessons applicable to individuals, communities, and nations seeking to align themselves with God's will.
Rebuke and Recognition (II Chronicles 19:1-3)
Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, drew a sharp rebuke from the Lord through Jehu, son of the seer Hanani. II Chronicles 19:2 underscores the gravity of this decision: "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you." This verse serves as a stark reminder that aligning ourselves with unrighteousness carries consequences.
However, the Lord's message, delivered through Jehu, was not solely condemnation. II Chronicles 19:3 acknowledges Jehoshaphat's positive contributions: "Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God." This blend of rebuke and recognition offers a balanced perspective. God sees both our failings and our efforts to follow Him. It's a reminder that even when we stumble, God recognizes and values our commitment to Him.
Repentance and Reform (II Chronicles 19:4-11)
Unlike Ahab, who imprisoned the prophet Micaiah for speaking truth (I Kings 22:26), Jehoshaphat received God's message with humility and a willingness to change. II Chronicles 19:4 describes how he "went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers." This indicates a renewed commitment to leading his people back to God.
Jehoshaphat's response was not merely emotional; it was practical and systemic. He instituted judicial reforms, appointing judges throughout the land and instructing them to act with integrity and impartiality. II Chronicles 19:6-7 emphasizes the solemn responsibility of these judges: "Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes."
He also appointed Levites, priests, and heads of families to serve as a court of appeals in Jerusalem (II Chronicles 19:8-11). Jehoshaphat charged them to act "in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a loyal heart" (II Chronicles 19:9). This comprehensive approach to justice and governance demonstrates a commitment to establishing righteousness throughout the kingdom.
Lessons for Today
While we may not live in Old Testament Israel, the principles found in II Chronicles 19 remain relevant today.
The Accountability of Civil Government: Even today, civil governments are accountable to God. Romans 13:3-4 speaks to the role of government in promoting good and punishing evil.
The Church's Prophetic Role: The church has a responsibility to be a prophetic voice, reminding society of God's moral standards. This means speaking truth to power and advocating for justice and righteousness.
The Need for Righteous Leadership: Society desperately needs leaders who embody righteousness and justice. A society can never rise above the quality of its leadership. We should pray for and support leaders who seek to uphold God's standards in their decision-making.
Personal Application: We can apply these principles to our own lives by striving to live with integrity, seeking justice in our interactions, and speaking truth in love. We must examine our own alliances and ensure they align with God's will. Just as Jehoshaphat was both rebuked and commended, we too can learn from our mistakes and build upon our strengths, always striving to draw closer to God and reflect His character in all we do.