Friday, January 09, 2009

Jehoshaphat Back on Track II Chronicles 19

II Chronicles 19:2 "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."

In the study of the last king of Judah, Asa, we saw him make a similar mistake and was rebuked by a prophet. Asa became angry and never recovered from his anger. Jehoshaphat reacted very differently, and correctly, to the prophets words.

v3 "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."

His reaction:

v4 "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."

He further set up judges and instructed the judges on how to do their job. He told them they were not judging for man but for God. I found seven qualities of a good judge.

-v7 No iniquity
-v7 No taking gifts
-v7 No respect of person
-v9 Serve in fear of the LORD
-v9 be faithful
-v9 have a perfect heart
-v13 Be courageous

I take the perfect heart to mean the persons intentions are perfect although as human could make a mistake. Jehoshaphat set his heart to seek the LORD.

v10 "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."

Psalm 50:1 "The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof."

Jehoshaphat sets up judges.

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