Royals Part II: Divided KingdomSample
Faith and Leadership
The details around officials, Levites, and numbers of soldiers might not make the most gripping material but it does shed light on Jehoshaphat's reign. Not only was Jehoshaphat devoted to the Lord, but he was also a gifted leader. We can see how these two things work together. His devotion to the Lord leads him not only to moral righteousness but also gives him the wisdom to know that he cannot truly serve the best interests of his people on his own. On top of that, rather than forcing people to follow the Lord as his father had (2 Chr. 15:13), he sets up education about the Law to help people come to seek the Lord themselves.
In this way, Jehoshaphat is a great example to us of what faithful leadership can look like. It is not lording it over those you lead, it is organising them and empowering them to bring the change that is needed in the world. But despite all of the hard work that Jehoshaphat put in, the credit for establishing his kingdom goes to the Lord.
We're not all rulers, but we all have our own sphere of leadership and influence. As we lead, it's really important that we are empower others to do what God has called them into. However, in every success, all credit goes to the Lord.
Thought Point
Who is establishing your kingdom?
Prayer Point
Ask God to give you wisdom with the people you lead and have influence over. Ask Him to help you empower them to live out His plan for their lives.
Scripture
About this Plan
Tales of triumph and tragedy are seen in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. The history of Kings of Israel and Judah is a story of divine faithfulness despite human failure. These flawed rulers point us towards the one true faithful King. Part II covers Rehoboam through to Joash from Judah and Ahab from Israel.
More