 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”
4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. 5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.” 8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: 10 whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt.11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!” Meditation Created in God’s image, humanity is designed to reflect God’s character in God’s world. Sin has distorted God’s image in His creatures as it has fractured the mirror of our lives and love. Redeemed men and women have “put on our new self” in Christ, renewed by grace and restored into God’s image (Colossians 3:10). We are called to respond to God’s grace by imitating God (Ephesians 5:1-2), faithfully reflecting His character in all of life. Unlike his father Asa, Jehoshaphat responded positively to the word of God through Jehu by “setting his heart to seek God.” King Jehoshaphat reflected God’s character of justice through re-establishing justice in Jerusalem. Jehoshaphat’s name means, “The Lord is judge” and “the Lord” is repeated nine times in our reading. Likewise, forms of the Hebrew word for judge (shophat) appears six times, one instruction to specifically divert wrath (10). Jehoshaphat “brought people back to the Lord” by reforming the system of judges. The Lord is just, He is with the upright (6, 11), and His character should be reflected in the life and leadership of His people. Spiritual renewal necessarily leads to social renewal, God’s grace grabbing the hearts of God’s people, restoring God’s image, and reflecting God’s character. Jehoshaphat displays this through a re-establishment of justice for all, a necessary call for Christians today, too. Jesus is the judge who Himself satisfied Divine justice on the cross so Christians can be forgiven for sin and free to love like Him, seeking justice for all in our life and leadership. Richly Dwelling -Why is it important for God’s people to reflect God’s character in our life and love? -Do Christians seek justice in a way that faithfully reflects God’s heart for justice and His just character? Why or why not? -How does Christ’s work, of satisfying justice for the penalty of our sin, empower us to embrace the opportunity to bear His image through seeking justice for all? Key Verse 4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. 5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city… Comments are closed.
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