What other biblical figures demonstrated similar obedience to God's ways? Setting the Scene: Jehoshaphat’s Obedience (1 Kings 22:43) “He walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Yet the high places were not removed, and the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.” Jehoshaphat’s overall pattern was one of loyalty to the Lord. Scripture highlights others who shared this same heart. Kings Who Modeled the Same Faithfulness • Asa – 1 Kings 15:11 “[He] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done.” • Hezekiah – 2 Kings 18:3–6 “He trusted in the LORD… and held fast to the LORD; he did not cease to follow Him.” • Josiah – 2 Kings 22:2 “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David.” Patriarchs and Early Leaders Who Walked Steadfastly • Noah – Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time; Noah walked with God.” • Abraham – Genesis 26:5 “Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” • Joseph – Genesis 39:9 “How could I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”—a refusal to compromise even in secret. • Moses – Exodus 40:16 “Moses did everything just as the LORD commanded him.” Prophets and Servants Who Remained Unswerving • Samuel – 1 Samuel 3:19 “Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.” • Daniel – Daniel 6:10 “He went to his house… knelt down… and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” • Ezra – Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.” New Testament Echoes of Wholehearted Obedience • Mary, mother of Jesus – Luke 1:38 “Behold, the servant of the Lord; may it be to me according to your word.” • Joseph, earthly father of Jesus – Matthew 1:24 “He did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.” • Peter and the apostles – Acts 5:29 “We must obey God rather than men.” • Paul – 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Shared Marks of Obedient Lives • Walking “in the ways” of God rather than cultural norms • Quick responsiveness to divine direction, even when costly • Consistency over time—obedience as a habit, not a single event • A heart that treasures God’s word and seeks His approval above all Living Out the Pattern Today The examples above show an unbroken thread of men and women who, like Jehoshaphat, chose God’s way over any alternative. Their stories invite a similar resolve: to walk in all His ways, stay alert to lingering “high places” in life, and keep obedience at the center of daily decisions. |
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