Education

II Chronicles 17:3–9

“The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah. In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah. With them were certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tob-Adonijah—and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.”

God also blessed King Asa’s family, and so his son the next in line King Jehoshaphat followed his godly footsteps, moreover doing what Asa was unable to do, taking down the pagan high places of idolatrous sacrifice (v. 6). God takes care of us and our family, God blessed the household of the Philippian jail manager through the Apostle Paul, his prisoner: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31).” We can believe and trust God that if we do His work, He will help us with ours. What is His work? This is what Jehoshaphat as king made sure to do given his solemn responsibility of leadership of an often wayward nation, that is to educate His people about God, to love, worship, and serve Him alone (vv. 7–9). Let us also endeavour to let others know the Good News of Jesus Christ in words and deeds, and guide our communities, beginning with our families and immediate friends, to faith and to the love of God as He encouraged us all: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matt 28:18–20).”