2 Chronicles 21:11

Jehoram had also built high places on the hills of Judah; he had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.

Study Bible

Jehoram had also built high places on the hills of Judah;
Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, became king of Judah and followed the idolatrous practices of the northern kingdom of Israel. High places were elevated sites often used for worship, typically of pagan gods. These sites were contrary to the worship of Yahweh, which was centralized in the temple in Jerusalem. The building of high places signified a departure from exclusive worship of the God of Israel and a return to Canaanite religious practices. This act of building high places was a direct violation of God's commandments, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:2-4, where the Israelites were instructed to destroy such places. The hills of Judah, being prominent and visible, were strategic locations for these high places, making the idolatrous practices more accessible and widespread.

he had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves
The term "prostitute themselves" is often used metaphorically in the Bible to describe spiritual unfaithfulness or idolatry. In this context, it indicates that Jehoram led the people into spiritual adultery by encouraging the worship of foreign gods. This language echoes the prophetic imagery found in books like Hosea, where Israel's idolatry is likened to marital unfaithfulness. The people of Jerusalem, the city chosen by God for His temple, were led into practices that were abominable in the sight of God, reflecting a deep spiritual decline. This spiritual prostitution was not just a personal sin of Jehoram but had communal implications, affecting the entire population.

and had led Judah astray.
Jehoram's leadership had a profound impact on the spiritual direction of the nation. By leading Judah astray, he not only influenced the religious practices but also the moral and ethical standards of the people. This phrase highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their people in righteousness. The consequences of leading Judah astray were severe, as seen in the subsequent judgment that came upon the nation. This act of leading astray is reminiscent of the warnings given in Deuteronomy 13:1-5 about false prophets and leaders who entice the people to follow other gods. Jehoram's actions set a precedent for future kings and contributed to the eventual downfall of Judah, as the nation continued to struggle with idolatry and rebellion against God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jehoram
The king of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat, who led the nation into idolatry and away from the worship of Yahweh.

2. High Places
Elevated sites often used for idol worship, contrary to the worship of Yahweh, which was to be centralized in the temple in Jerusalem.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, over which Jehoram reigned.

4. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where the temple of Yahweh was located, yet Jehoram led its people into idolatry.

5. Idolatry
The worship of idols or false gods, which was a direct violation of the first commandment and a recurring issue for the Israelites.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Leadership
Leaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Jehoram's actions led Judah into sin, reminding us of the responsibility leaders have to guide others toward righteousness.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can be anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must be vigilant in identifying and removing these idols.

Faithfulness to God's Commands
God's instructions are clear regarding worship and obedience. We must strive to follow His commands and avoid the pitfalls of cultural or societal pressures that lead us astray.

The Importance of Spiritual Heritage
Jehoram's departure from his father Jehoshaphat's faithful example shows the importance of maintaining and building upon a godly heritage rather than squandering it.

Repentance and Restoration
While Jehoram's account is one of failure, it serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the possibility of restoration when we turn back to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How did Jehoram's actions as a leader affect the spiritual state of Judah, and what can we learn about the influence of leadership today?

2. In what ways might we be tempted to build "high places" in our own lives, and how can we actively work to remove them?

3. How does Jehoram's reign contrast with that of his father Jehoshaphat, and what does this teach us about the importance of spiritual legacy?

4. What are some modern-day idols that can lead us away from God, and how can we guard against them?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Jehoram's life to ensure we remain faithful to God's commands in our personal and communal worship?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 Kings 14:22-24
This passage describes similar actions by previous kings, showing a pattern of idolatry and its consequences in Judah.

Exodus 20:3-5
The Ten Commandments, where God explicitly commands against idolatry, highlighting the gravity of Jehoram's actions.

Deuteronomy 12:2-4
Instructions to destroy high places, emphasizing the importance of worshiping God in the prescribed manner.

2 Chronicles 17:3-6
Jehoshaphat's reign, contrasting Jehoram's actions by showing a king who sought to follow God and remove high places.

Hosea 4:12-14
The metaphor of spiritual prostitution, illustrating the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah in their idolatry.