SUNDAY JULY 29, 2012

THEME:                 JUSTICE ENACTED

TOPIC:                  JEHOSHAPHAT MAKES JUDICIAL REFORMS

TEXT:                    2 CHRONICLES 19:4-11

MEMORY VERSE: “[Jehoshaphat] told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.” — 2 Chronicles 19:6 (NIV)

LESSON AIMS: After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:

1.    List the steps Jehoshaphat took as king of Judah to ensure that justice was administered in the land.

2.    Compare and contrast the instructions that Jehoshaphat gave his judges with what is expected of judges today. 

3.    Suggest how the principles Jehoshaphat stressed can be used as criteria when deciding how to cast votes for judges in a democracy. 

INTRODUCTION

Today’s lesson involves an action of King Jehoshaphat. He was one of the more godly kings of Judah during the period of the divided monarchy in Old Testament history. He ruled from about 873 to 848 BC. 2 Chronicles 17:3, 4 says this of him: “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel.”

Jehoshaphat’s reign overlapped the ministry of the prophet Elijah, with the king’s reign reaching its conclusion just as Elisha’s prophetic ministry was beginning. We must keep in mind that the efforts of these two prophets were concentrated primarily in the northern kingdom (Israel), where (as we noted last week) they were used by the Lord to counter the influence of Kings Ahab (and his wife Jezebel), Ahaziah, and Joram (Jehoram).

The Bible does not mention any contact between Elijah and Jehoshaphat, but it does tell of one occasion when Elisha and King Jehoshaphat (of Judah) and King Joram (of Israel) were together. On that occasion, Elisha told Joram that he was granting the king’s request for help only because of the presence of Jehoshaphat: “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you” (2 Kings 3:14).

When Jehoshaphat’s reign is first mentioned in 2 Chronicles, he is cited for his efforts to rid Judah of idol worship and to promote the teaching of God’s law throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 17:1-9). Also noted is the respect in which he was held by surrounding peoples and the attention he gave to various projects and reforms (vv. 10-19).

On the downside, however, Jehoshaphat entered into an ill-advised alliance with King Ahab of Israel, who desired Jehoshaphat’s aid in retaking some territory from the Syrians. At Ahab’s behest, Jehoshaphat wore his royal robes into battle while Ahab disguised himself in an effort to keep a prophet’s prediction of his death from being fulfilled (2 Chronicles 18:1-31). This episode nearly cost Jehoshaphat his life, but “the Lord helped him” (v. 31) and he was spared.

Jehoshaphat then “returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 19:1), but that peace was short-lived. After he returned, he was met by the “seer” Jehu (not to be confused with another Jehu who was a king of Israel). Jehu soundly rebuked Jehoshaphat for his attempt to “help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord”; Jehu further said, “Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is upon you” (2 Chronicles 19:2). But Jehu also commended Jehoshaphat for the “good” he had done, including setting his heart on seeking the Lord (v. 3).

It seems that Jehoshaphat took Jehu’s chastening words seriously, for there follows the account of additional reforms, initiated by Jehoshaphat, that is found in today’s text.

[Please note that you are free to reproduce this lesson for your Sunday school classes. The talk points (in red prints) are to help your discussions.]

A.    JEHOSHAPHAT APPOINTED GOD-GEARING JUDGES – 2 Chronicles 19:4-7

1.  Which criteria are most important when Christians cast their votes to elect judges? Which criteria are of lesser importance? Why? (Church membership; Community involvement; Legal experience as a prosecutor; Legal experience as a defence attorney; Character; Endorsements.)

2. What challenges do you think a Christian might face in seeking or rendering verdicts according to Jehoshaphat’s for the Lord standard? (As a judge; As a juror; As an attorney.) 

B.    JEHOSHAPHAT APPOINTED GOD-GEARING JUDGES – 2 Chronicles 19:8-11

1.   Which parts of the Bible can and should a judge use to inform his or her thinking while hearing cases in a modern courtroom? (Criminal cases; Civil cases.)

2.    How should you apply the judging principles in today’s text to your own life personally? (In a role as a parent; In a role as a church leader; In a role as a teacher; In a role as a boss.)

3. What does Jesus’ command “do not judge” (Matthew 7:1) imply for Christians? How has this passage been misunderstood? (Matthew 7:15-20; John 7:24; Romans 14:4, 10, 13; 1 Corinthians 5:12, 13; Titus 3:10; James 2:13; 4:12.)

CONCLUSION

In the process of appointing judges, King Jehoshaphat issued a very bold command for them to fear the Lord and respect his law. Such a request was quite appropriate for God’s chosen, covenant people. They were expected to apply his law to every part of life.

But what about Christians today who live in highly secular settings? Justice often is seen as an inalienable right today. People who believe they have been wronged will “demand justice.” They insist on getting their “rights” or “entitlements.” Justice is viewed primarily as something to be extracted from the judicial system—the courts. Seldom is justice seen as something that we have the privilege of giving to others. In striving to promote justice, sometimes we will have to initiate it instead of depending on the judicial system.

Part of promoting justice and righteousness involves living as salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). In Paul’s letter to Titus, the repeated emphasis on goodness (whether it is good people or good works) cannot be missed (Titus 1:8; 2:3, 7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14). Peter, in addressing Christians who have been victims of unjust persecution, encourages his readers to be faithful in “doing good” (1 Peter 2:15; 4:19); though they may not receive justice from the authorities, they can still treat others in a just and right manner (2:21-23).

Today we may wish for the kind of judges whom Jehoshaphat appointed in his time—those who would carry out their duties in the fear of God. But even if such judges are not in power or are in a distinct minority, that does not lessen our duty as Christians to live in the fear of God.

PRAYER

Father, we live in a world that has turned away from your standards. Help us to initiate your justice at the most basic level: in transforming hearts and lives through the gospel of your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER

Live by Heaven’s just standards.

NEXT WEEK: NEXT WEEK: AUGUST 5, 2012: PRAISE FOR GOD’S JUSTICE

– Psalm 146; Exodus 21-23; Isaiah 58