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

◄ Blessing: Temporal, from God: To Jotham ►

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Jotham, the son of Uzziah (also known as Azariah), was the king of Judah who reigned in Jerusalem following his father's leprosy-induced isolation. His reign is noted for the temporal blessings he received from God, which were a direct result of his faithfulness and adherence to divine commandments. Jotham's account is primarily recorded in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Righteous Leadership and Divine Favor

Jotham's reign is characterized by his commitment to doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father Uzziah had done, albeit without entering the temple of the LORD, which was a transgression that led to Uzziah's downfall. The Bible records, "Jotham did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done" (2 Kings 15:34). His obedience and reverence for God set the stage for the temporal blessings he received.

Military Success and Construction Projects

One of the significant temporal blessings Jotham experienced was military success. He was able to subdue the Ammonites, who paid him a substantial tribute for three consecutive years. The Bible states, "He fought against the king of the Ammonites and prevailed. That year the Ammonites paid him a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand cors of barley. They paid him the same in the second and third years" (2 Chronicles 27:5). This victory not only demonstrated God's favor but also contributed to the economic prosperity of Judah during his reign.

In addition to military success, Jotham was also blessed with the ability to undertake significant construction projects, which fortified the kingdom and enhanced its infrastructure. He built extensively on the wall of Ophel and constructed cities in the hill country of Judah, along with fortresses and towers in the forests (2 Chronicles 27:3-4). These projects not only strengthened the kingdom's defenses but also reflected the stability and prosperity that marked his reign.

Spiritual Integrity and Its Rewards

Jotham's temporal blessings were closely tied to his spiritual integrity. The Bible emphasizes that "Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God" (2 Chronicles 27:6). His deliberate effort to align his actions with God's will resulted in divine favor, manifesting in both personal and national prosperity.

Jotham's reign serves as a testament to the principle that obedience to God and righteous leadership can lead to temporal blessings. His life illustrates the biblical theme that when leaders and individuals prioritize their relationship with God, they often experience His favor in tangible ways, such as military victories, economic prosperity, and infrastructural development.

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2 Chronicles 27:6
So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
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Library

Here, by Way of Objection, Several Questions are Raised. ...
... true, that the cause for which Jotham imprecated on ... promise exists, our request to
God must have ... received special instruction to pray for a temporal blessing. ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 15 here by way.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... sometimes, [1042]548, [1043]549; a blessing thereby, [1044]547 ... Election, God's sovereign
grace in, [1117]268; Divine ... 1127]527; of men for temporal objects praised ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... If it be a great blessing to be delivered from the ... of brick was doubled, then Moses
the temporal saviour comes ... When the people of God are in the greatest danger ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... true, that the cause for which Jotham imprecated on ... promise exists, our request to
God must have ... received special instruction to pray for a temporal blessing. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

The General Conference of 1840
... have little doubt that, with the blessing of God ... over these lands,' to questions
of temporal import, involving ... our first desire, after piety toward God, to be ...
/.../chapter 15 the general conference.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up ... He
was promised in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... As, for instance, in Jacob's blessing (Genesis 49 ... he recognised as the national Deity
the God to whom ... Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, escaped the massacre ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... come out at the bidding of God, there shall ... prediction soon be verified, and the
temporal government no ... bad habits, and, under the divine blessing, to purify ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm