What lessons from Jotham's actions can we apply to our daily walk? The verse in focus “Now the rest of the acts of Jotham—along with all his wars and his ways—indeed, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.” (2 Chronicles 27:7) Just a verse earlier we read, “So Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.” (2 Chronicles 27:6) A life mostly off-stage, yet fully in God’s sight • Jotham never made the headlines like David or Elijah, yet the Spirit chose to record his “wars and his ways.” • The Holy Spirit notices the combination of what we fight for (“wars”) and how we live when the fighting stops (“ways”). • Our own seemingly routine choices—commutes, conversations, spreadsheets, diaper changes—are also “written down” (Malachi 3:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5). Ordering our ways before the Lord Jotham “ordered” (prepared, directed) his life so that God came first. Practical take-aways: – Schedule time with the Lord before everything else (Psalm 5:3). – Align private thoughts with His Word, not just public behavior (Psalm 139:23-24). – Keep short accounts: confess quickly, forgive quickly (1 John 1:9; Ephesians 4:32). Consistent ordering, not occasional spurts of enthusiasm, explains why “Jotham grew powerful.” Integrity when others compromise • Jotham’s father Uzziah was struck with leprosy for arrogantly entering the temple (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). • Jotham learned from that failure and “did not enter the temple of the LORD” presumptuously (27:2). • Application: learn from the past sins you’ve witnessed—at home, at church, at work—so you don’t repeat them (Proverbs 1:5). Building, not just battling Jotham fortified Jerusalem’s walls, erected towers, and constructed cities (27:3-4). Our parallel assignments: – Strengthen spiritual defenses: steady prayer, sound doctrine (Jude 20-21). – Build up others: words that edify, not tear down (Ephesians 4:29). – Leave places better than we found them—homes, workplaces, congregations. Quiet faithfulness still yields tangible results Jotham’s stability led to: • Military victory over the Ammonites (27:5). • Economic blessing—he received “a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley.” Walking in obedience today may not bring silver and grain, but it does bring: – God’s favor (Psalm 84:11). – A clear conscience (1 Peter 3:16). – Influence that outlasts us (Hebrews 11:4b). Let God write the ending Jotham’s “wars and ways” are fully known to the Lord even if only summarized for us. Rest in the promise of Hebrews 6:10: “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name.” Live each ordinary hour as though it, too, will be entered in God’s enduring record—because it will be. |
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