Topical Bible: High Places: Jehoshaphat Destroys

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High places in the biblical context refer to elevated sites, often on hills or mountains, where altars and shrines were erected for worship. These sites were frequently associated with pagan rituals and idolatry, which were prevalent among the nations surrounding Israel. The worship conducted at these high places often included offerings and sacrifices to deities other than Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah, is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to bring the nation back to the worship of Yahweh. His reign is detailed in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where his commitment to purging idolatry from Judah is highlighted.

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 out 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; moreover, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah."

Jehoshaphat's actions were significant in the context of Judah's spiritual history. The removal of high places was a direct challenge to the syncretistic practices that had infiltrated the worship of Yahweh. By destroying these sites, Jehoshaphat sought to centralize worship in Jerusalem, where the temple built by Solomon stood as the designated place for offering sacrifices to the LORD.

Despite Jehoshaphat's reforms, the high places were a persistent issue throughout the history of Israel and Judah. In 1 Kings 22:43 , it is noted: "Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn aside from them, doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued to sacrifice and burn incense on the high places."

This apparent contradiction highlights the complexity of religious reform in ancient Judah. While Jehoshaphat made significant strides in removing idolatrous practices, the deeply ingrained cultural and religious habits of the people proved difficult to eradicate completely. The persistence of high places indicates the ongoing struggle between the worship of Yahweh and the allure of surrounding pagan practices.

Jehoshaphat's efforts to destroy the high places reflect his dedication to the covenantal relationship between God and His people. His reign is often viewed as a period of religious renewal and a return to the faithfulness exemplified by King David. Jehoshaphat's legacy is one of striving to align the nation of Judah with the commandments and worship prescribed by the LORD, setting a standard for future kings to follow.

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2 Chronicles 17:6
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
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Library

The Prophet Joel.
... 7. The natural name of the valley of Jehoshaphat is, moreover ... in ver.9 by the words:
"The high places of Isaac ... are the host of God, the Most High;" see Bochart ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... Elijah Ahab, and Elisha Jehoram, and Jehu Jehoshaphat! ... who abases the proud and destroys
sinners as ... in their extremity "rivers in high places, and fountains in ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Amasiah
... is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphat's 'mighty men ... gifts as lovingly, and
set them in places of honour ... through the mediation of the great High Priest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/amasiah.htm

Book ii.
... hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places fight against ... the changing of the right
hand of the Most High. ... xvii.3. Jehoshaphat prospers because the Lord is with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... of the tabernacle (Hebrews 3:2,3). Aaron was his type as he was high-priest, and ...
opened the rock, and the waters gushed out, they ran in the dry places like a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

Letter cxxxiii. To Ctesiphon.
... says of his elect"whom he places among Plato's ... an unclean spirit, used two rich and
high born ladies ... out of his own mouth, [3880] and Jehoshaphat and Josiah ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxxiii to ctesiphon.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... while attaining valuable book learning, may see the necessity of taking a high degree
in ... may we not divide them, or presume to appoint them their places in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm