Current Events

Recently, we had the inauguration of a new president in the United States. Although the same president will again fill this office, technically it means that a new government commenced its work in January.

We in North America are blessed indeed by the Lord that such changes may occur peacefully and not because of bloody uprisings and the usurping of power by rebels as we have seen quite frequently in other countries, both in the past and also more recently. May the Lord remember and give wisdom to those who have been elected in our countries; what a blessing it would be if in our nations we could see some of the reformation we read in the article which follows. It has been translated from De Lamp bleef branden (The Lamp Remained Burning) by Rev. R den Butter, a book which is about the history of the kings of Judah.

As well as the author of the books of the Kings, the author of the books of the Chronicles has stated with great emphasis that Jehoshaphat has made the good choice. Typical of that is what we read in 2 Chronicles 17:6: “His heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord.”

The expression “his heart was lifted up” is almost always used in an unfavorable sense (2 Chronicles 26:16 & 32:25&26) and points to a proud demeanor. All those who have a proud heart are an abomination to the Lord. With Jehoshaphat, however, this expression has a favorable connotation. He is not proud. He seeks to walk in the ways of the Lord, and that is not just form or custom for him, for he does it with his whole heart. For him, it concerns the honor of the Lord Himself.

That this is the case can be seen from several things. Among others, we read that he walked in the ways of David. For him David is an example, someone whom he identifies with. No, not in all regards. It is not without reason that it is written that Jehoshaphat walked in the “first ways” of David (2 Chronicles 17:3). They were the “first ways” of David in which he walked before he departed from the Lord, the time when it was truly David’s desire to walk with God in secret.

We can also relate the expression “first ways” to the first period of Jehoshaphat’s father Asa’s reign, for to a certain extent, Asa was also someone with whom Jehoshaphat identified. The example of his father, especially the example which he showed in the early days of his rule, also made an impression upon Jehoshaphat. He also wished to be like that.

The difference of this walking in the ways of David and Asa is that Jehoshaphat did not seek out the Ba-al’s.The Ba-al’s were being served all over. Every group of people had their own Ba-al. This service of the idol gods frequently had a seductive influence upon Israel and Judah. In the days of Jehoshaphat the Ba-al worship was also practiced extensively in the northern empire. Jehoshaphat, however, rejected this religion, and he did not wish to have anything to do with it. In this rejection he remained steadfast. During his entire rule there never was any inclination to serve other gods nor to desecrate the service of the Lord with the serving of other gods. No, the sin against the first commandment did not have any grip upon the heart of Jehoshaphat.

Also the sin against the second commandment, the service of idols, was avoided by Jehoshaphat. He did not walk “in the ways of Israel.” That points to the sins which were so deeply rooted in the lives of the people of Israel since the days of Jeroboam—the worship of calves and the alternative holy sites of Bethel and Dan. Jehoshaphat also keeps his distance from them. Everything which God has forbidden Jehoshaphat wishes to avoid. What is the reason for that?

Jehoshaphat loves God’s law; God’s revealed will as it is displayed in all of His decrees is Jehoshaphat’s guidepost. He wishes to live his life in accordance to these commands and in this way be an example for his people, for it is only in this way that a blessing can be expected.

Does this mean that Jehoshaphat lives legalistically? That by the obeying of God’s commandments he hopes to earn favor with God and thereby seeks to obtain his own salvation? Not at all! God had revealed His love unto Jehoshaphat, and so Jehoshaphat has also come to love the Lord. The best way that he can now show that love is by obeying the Lord. Jehoshaphat’s daily prayer is, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” This obedience by him is an honest testimony of his thankfulness for the grace which has been shown to him as a sinner.

What is the real reason why he does these things? It is not to receive God’s blessing or His other benefits. Certainly, Jehoshaphat values these highly. Still, it is not God’s gifts that he is seeking. He seeks the Lord Himself. It is about Him, He who is the highest and eternal Good. That personal communion with the Lord—that is what his heart is seeking.

You must understand this “seeking” as it must be rightly understood. It is not meant to be seeking as a religious exercise and nothing more. No, the purpose of Jehoshaphat’s seeking is that in seeking he might find. Until he finds, he can have no rest. He must have the Lord; otherwise, his heart will remain restless. This is how Jehoshaphat is characterized by the author and how he is placed before us. Wouldn’t you agree that this is a glorious testimony? It is especially true when God gives such a testimony of a person. That is worth more than anything we can say about each other. Can that also be said of us? Just review it once more: not seeking the Ba-als of this world, walking in God’s commandments, and seeking the Lord.

To such a life, the Lord commands His blessing. Just read 2 Chronicles 17:3 where it is written, “And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat.” Those words contain everything, for if we have Him, what can then still trouble us?

12010= Den Hertog B.V. Houten, the Netherlands, pp. 87-89.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen