THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 13, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 28.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON 4.—JULY 24.—JEHOSHAPHAT’S REFORM.

Lesson Scripture, 2 Chronicles 19, A. R. V.

(1) “And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace at Jerusalem. (2) And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before Jehovah. (3) Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.

(4) “And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim, and brought them back unto Jehovah, the God of their fathers. (5) And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, (6) and said to the judges, Consider what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for Jehovah; and He is with you in the judgment. (7) Now therefore let the fear of Jehovah be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Jehovah our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.

(8) “Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem. (9) And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. (10) And whensoever any controversy shall come to you from your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, ye shall warn them, that they be not guilty towards Jehovah, and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not be guilty. (11) And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Jehovah; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and Jehovah be with the good.”

Golden Text.—“Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.” Verse 11.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What is said of King Jehoshaphat in verse 1 of this lesson? From what did he return? Note 1. (2) Who went out to meet the king? What question did the prophet ask? How did the Lord regard Jehoshaphat’s action? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) Notwithstanding Jehoshaphat’s great mistake, what did the prophet say was found in him? What had been commendable in his life? Verse 3. Note 3. (4) Where did the king continue to dwell? What indicated that his repentance was sincere? Verse 4. (5) What further precaution did he observe? Verse 5. (6) What instruction was given to the judges? For whom were they really performing their duties? From whom were they to expect wisdom in judgment? Verse 6. (7) Whom were they to fear in passing judgment? Why were they to take special heed in this respect? Verse 7. Note 4. (8) Whom did the king specially set in Jerusalem to carry out this good work? Verse 8. (9) What emphatic charge was given to those who were set to judge in Jerusalem? Verse 9. (10) What warning were the judges to give those who brought controversies before them? Verse 10. Note 5. (11) Who was set as the head of these priests and Levites in the city? Who was appointed as judge in civil matters? What was to characterize all their dealings? Verse 11. Note 6.

NOTES.

1. In order to fully understand the import of this verse, it is necessary to note what it was that Jehoshaphat returned from “in peace at Jerusalem.” On the death of his father Asa, Jehoshaphat began to reign in Judah, and prospered exceedingly for about twenty years. He was pious, prudent, and enterprising. Then he made the great mistake of entering into an alliance with Ahab and Jezebel, the wicked king and queen of Israel, and his son and heir to the throne, Jehoram, was married to their daughter Athaliah. Then Ahab felt himself strong enough to recapture Ramoth-Gilead, which had long been in the hands of the Assyrians. The Lord’s prophet Micaiah foretold disaster to the expedition, but his counsel was not heeded. So the allies were defeated, Ahab was killed, and Jehoshaphat barely escaped with his life. The Syrians did not follow up their victory, so Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem in peace.

2. Jehoshaphat was no doubt actuated, in his alliance with Ahab, by reasons of a political nature which seemed to justify his course. While the Syrians held the stronghold of Ramoth-Gilead, east of Jordan, they were a standing menace to both Israel and Judah. But the Lord took no account of that; it would have been a small thing for Him to protect His people from their Syrian foes, and to have utterly destroyed any and all enemies. Judah was safe as long as she obeyed God and trusted in His defense. The Lord never justifies any alliance with the world, or compromise with error, no matter what the ostensible advantage to His cause. He is able to care for His own. Such alliances or compromises can only result in evil.

3. The good that was found in Jehoshaphat was his personal piety and otherwise commendable rule, especially in removing idolatry, to which the people were always inclined, and too often yielded. “Asheroth” was a name given to the shrines or groves dedicated to the Phoenician Venus.

4. Judgment that is in the fear of the Lord is sure to stand every test; for “the law of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” Ps. 19:9.

5. “Between blood and blood.”—To decide the degrees of crime where blood had been shed, as in cases of manslaughter, or murder, or assault, or killing in self-defense. “Between law and commandment,” etc.—Decision as to what particular law or ordinance had been violated in any given instance. The warning was to remind litigants that they should aim to be guiltless before God, as they might bring wrath not only upon themselves, but upon their brethren. Persistent evil-doing might bring wrath upon the whole nation, as in times past.

6. These two courts would cover all manner of controversies ecclesiastical and secular. Amariah, being a chief priest, would be a proper head of an ecclesiastical court, and Zebadiah, being the tribal head of the house of Judah, would be a logical judge in secular matters. This seems to have been the first time in the history of the kings when the king delegated his judicial prerogative to a court. “Deal courageously.”—The Lord always wants His people to be courageous. That was the word to Israel as they stood trembling on the banks of the Red Sea. Ex. 14:13, 14. The same exhortation was given as they were about to enter the promised land (Deut. 31:6, 7; Joshua 1:5–9); and it is just as needful to His people to-day, who stand on the borders of the heavenly Canaan. “Be ye of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Ps. 31:24. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.