Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Jehoshaphat

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Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa, was the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah, reigning in the 9th century BC. His reign is noted for a series of temporal blessings from God, which were a result of his faithfulness and dedication to the ways of the Lord. Jehoshaphat's account is primarily found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Jehoshaphat's reign was marked by a commitment to the spiritual and religious reforms initiated by his father, Asa. He sought to strengthen the kingdom by fortifying cities and building a strong military presence. However, his most significant actions were his efforts to lead the people back to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 17:3-6 , it is recorded: "Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel. So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had great wealth and honor. And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah."

Jehoshaphat's dedication to God brought about several temporal blessings. One of the most notable was the peace and security that Judah experienced during his reign. The surrounding nations feared the Lord and refrained from waging war against Judah, as noted in 2 Chronicles 17:10 : "The fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat."

Moreover, Jehoshaphat's reign was characterized by prosperity and economic growth. The tribute from neighboring nations and the wealth accumulated through trade and tribute contributed to the kingdom's prosperity. This economic blessing is a testament to God's favor upon Jehoshaphat for his faithfulness.

Jehoshaphat also sought to educate the people in the Law of the Lord. He sent officials, along with Levites and priests, throughout the cities of Judah to teach the people, as described in 2 Chronicles 17:7-9. This spiritual education was a means of ensuring that the people remained faithful to God, which in turn secured continued divine favor and blessing.

Despite his faithfulness, Jehoshaphat made some alliances that were not pleasing to God, such as his alliance with King Ahab of Israel. However, even in these missteps, God showed mercy and continued to bless Jehoshaphat due to his overall commitment to righteousness and reform.

In summary, Jehoshaphat's reign is a clear example of how temporal blessings from God are often linked to a leader's faithfulness and dedication to divine commandments. His account serves as a reminder of the prosperity and peace that can accompany a life lived in accordance with God's will.

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2 Chronicles 17:3-5
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not to Baalim;
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2 Chronicles 20:30
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.
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Library

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... mourning: " Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind
him? ... Nor are they only temporal blessings which God directs his ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... A TREATISE OF THE FEAR OF GOD; SHOWING ... Geo. Offor. A TREATISE ON THE FEAR OF GOD.
"BLESSED IS EVERY ONE THAT FEARETH THE LORD.""Psalm 128:1. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... Let me want the venison, so I may have the blessing. ... The mercies of God work
compassion to others. A Christian is a temporal saviour. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

Of a Private Fast.
... by Satan solicited; or to obtain some special blessing which he ... God in mercy to turn
away his temporal judgments from us ... his request at the hand of God; both in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of a private fast.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... God.(5) There, the covenant of blessing, the glorious ... of Christ's personal coming
in temporal glory to ... But God's merciful providence was directing events for ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... There the covenant of blessing, the glorious Messianic ... of Christ's personal coming
in temporal glory to ... But God's merciful providence was directing events for ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... The natural name of the valley of Jehoshaphat is, moreover ... the more so, because the
wrath of God had not ... the verse, must denote a divine blessing different from ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... The temporal sword then may kill the body, but after that ... to visit either with grace
or wrath, God is said ... Rachel, when he visited her with the blessing of a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... aid Christian efforts, under the Divine blessing, in stemming ... As for them that hope
that God will save his people, though but from temporal judgments, whether ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... In proportion as temporal blessings were eminently doubtful, so ... I might come to Hezekiah,
Jehoshaphat, Josias; with old ... because he was behind with God and his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm