Read 2 Chronicles 27
Jotham King of Judah
27 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the Lord. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices. 3 Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the Lord and did extensive work on the wall at the hill of Ophel. 4 He built towns in the hill country of Judah and forts and towers in the wooded areas.
5 Jotham waged war against the king of the Ammonites and conquered them. That year the Ammonites paid him a hundred talents[a] of silver, ten thousand cors[b] of wheat and ten thousand cors[c] of barley. The Ammonites brought him the same amount also in the second and third years.
6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.
7 The other events in Jotham’s reign, including all his wars and the other things he did, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. 9 Jotham rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. And Ahaz his son succeeded him as king.
Go Deeper
At the age of 20, Jotham became a co-regent to his king-father Uzziah. Imagine this responsibility at this young age! Uzziah reigned over the kingdom of Judah for 42 years and was known as a good and righteous king. He must have seen something special in Jotham early on to bestow such honor.
Under their leadership, Judah experienced great abundance and strength as a nation and people during this time in history. Verse 2 spells out one of the clear reasons with Jotham and Uzziah: “He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Uzziah had done.” This legacy is what we should all desire. Provision, strength, and protection are promised to us as committed believers both now and in eternity. Verse 6 speaks on this as well saying, “Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the Lord.” Furthermore, God gave Jotham military victories over the Ammonites who paid peacekeeping silver of 120,000 liters per year, and 2.2 million liters of barley and wheat. God’s favor was with Jotham.
Two lessons we must learn from this short chapter. First, Jotham’s biggest error was not removing the high places of worship. Although Jotham did not participate in such idolatrous acts, he was given leadership of the people by God. As king of Judah, he knew better but did not order them destroyed. This eventually cost him and his nation dearly. God was clear about His command in Exodus 20:3 saying, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” We must examine our own lives to be sure He is first in our lives before anything else.
Second, as we read in this chapter, Jotham had surrendered every area of his life to Yahweh. He was given strength, God’s favor, guidance and humility for his 15 years of leadership. Unlike his father Uzziah, Jotham never entered the temple perhaps out of fear, but also humility after watching his righteous father be stricken with leprosy after bypassing the priests to burn incense himself. This boldness and disregard of the law of God cost Uzziah his life. Although remembered as a good and righteous king, he lost his view of the supremacy of God’s law. We must all remember that we serve an awesome God whose thoughts and ways are better and higher than ours. Even in good works, we can forget that He is Lord.
Let us all long to please the Lord above all else no matter where we are in life’s journey. His best for us is in awe and surrender to Him. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human master, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Questions
- What legacy is left by Uzziah and Jotham and why is that important for us to consider?
- Why must leaders like Jotham set the tone for those they lead? Why is God such a jealous God for our worship?
- Is there any area of your life that you have not surrendered to the Lordship of Christ? What must you do? Talk about this in your Life Groups (or with Christian friends) who can help you let God order you days and life.
A Quote
Matthew Henry, 18th century Bible commentary writer said, “The more steadfast we are in faith, the more mighty we are, both to resist evil, and to do good.”
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9 responses to “2 Chronicles 27”
V6: Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.
Steadfast is not a word I use or hear much, so I had to look it up to get a better understanding. Google AI provided the following information:
A steadfast person is loyal, determined, and firm in their beliefs or commitments, remaining unwavering in the face of challenges. They are reliable and constant, not easily swayed from their position or purpose.
I pray that we can all be steadfast in Christ today.
Amen!
So be it!
That’s powerful!
Thank you so much for sharing, John.
May it be so!
Learning from mistakes
Jotham did good but he did not take down the high places.
“He did what was right in the sight of the LORD; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. 35 Only the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD.”
2 Kings 15:34-35 NASB
This seems to be a strand throughout is that most of these kings did good EXCEPT for taking away the idols in high places. Has
God been speaking to you about something you need to get rid of out of your life?
As Pam said yesterday about “muchness”, I have some outside muchness that needs to go.
How can I show Christ today in my life?
What do I do that shows my life undivided?
I serve at the church all the time, but not because of the world but because I desire to be God’s hands and feet. I work at a nursing home/rehab. Some of my people get to go back home and some stay long-term. My role is to help them succeed in either place. That is also what I desire to do along side of God while I am at church. People are lost, hurting, needing a hug, needing a word, a conformation of what God is speaking to them, or just a smile of welcome. Life is not always easy BUT GOD has a plan for our messes to be a message.
God thank You that I can come to Your throne anytime. Thank You for Holy Spirit guidance. God thank You for teaching me to keep my devotion on You and You alone! I desire to give You whole hearted worship in all I put my hands to. God let my “self” be humble and let You so shine and Your glory be what the focus is. Help me to remember and recall the way You are guiding. God thank You that me, my pride and selfishness get out of the way of when/how/and doing my job heartily unto You and not unto man. Thank You for Your Word being ever present in my thoughts to help change my heart and mind to You! God, today in these minutes of this day, let Your love so shine through me to others. Let Your words come out of my mouth, and let You be my most inward thoughts, every minute of this day in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amen! WOOHOO!!!
6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.
Reminds me of the repeated phrase in Psalm 136, “his steadfast love endures forever”! May I walk steadfastly before the Lord my God!
As we read of legacies left by kings of old, may we realize ours are being written presently. Every decision is forming us either into Christ-likeness or the values of culture. Although Jotham did some great things, scripture reveals what he left undone. May we wake up, stand firm in the faith and courageously cast down every idol/ sin that entangles us.
OBEDIENCE is key to the steadfastness in our faith journey.
CONSISTENCY in our spiritual practices leads to growth and maturity, enabling us to face life’s ups and downs with grace and resilience.
I pray that I NOT leave things left undone in accordance with God’s will on my life. Amen