This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of
Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just
mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
2CHRONICLES
1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2 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.
3 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.
Jehoshaphat returned home safely, even though Ahab had died. God had carefully protected Jehoshaphat, even though God was ANGRY with him.
4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6 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.
7 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.
Jehoshaphat, after being reproved, CONTINUED to serve the Lord. He made his residence in Jerusalem, but he traveled all over the entire "promised land" seeking those who really wanted to seek God. These he brought with him into Judah (verse 4).
8 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.
9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10 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.
11 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.
Jehoshaphat was aware of righteous rulers especially in Jerusalem, the holy city, and the city of the temple. There, he used the Levites and priests. And he charged them solemnly to judge with respect to God and with a PURE heart.
Two taxidermists stopped in front of a window and immediately began to criticize the way an owl had been mounted. Its eyes were not natural; its wings were not in proportion; and its feet could certainly be improved, they said to each other. Just then, the owl turned his head and WINKED at them!
The old saying "don't judge a book by its cover," certainly takes on meaning here. We must not judge things (and especially people) based on appearance. We must judge based on God's WORD, and WITHOUT respect of a person's social standing. Please continue in Bible Study with us.
CHAPTER 19
God sent a prophet to reprove Jehoshophat for becoming involved with an idolater. The prophet was Jehu. He was the son of Hanani whom Asa (Jehoshaphat's father) had put in prison.
It is good that God will reprove us for our sin. When He makes us aware of it, then we can repent and go forward in a closer walk with Him.
God also told Jehoshaphat that He found some "good things" in him. Jehoshaphat WANTED to do right, because he had "prepared" his heart to "seek God" (verse 3).
That's better than was said of Rehoboam. The Bible records that Rehoboam "..did evil, because he prepared NOT his heart to seek the Lord" (2Chronicles 12:14).
And he USED them as judges over the areas (verse 5).
Jehoshaphat CHARGED the judges to be rightous and judge according to God's Word (Verse 6). This is the way of the church today. Go get 'em, train 'em, and use 'em!
The "fear of the Lord," spoken of in verse 7, is the RESPECT of God. God is no respecter of persons. Therefore if the judges ruled according to RESPECT toward God, they would not be swayed by powerful people, neither would they be swayed to judge for the poor.
There is one thing judges should remember: God is WITH them in the judgment!
If anyone had a disagreement, the priests and Levites were to WARN them not to trespass the Lord's commandment. Jehoshaphat was AWARE of the wrath that God could send if the people began to break God's laws.
The Chief Priest and the leaders of governmental affairs were to HELP the judges rule righteously.