Jehoshaphat's Reign in Judah - Obedience and Compromises

Lecture 7

Why is idolatry such a hateful sin in the Bible? Why does it keep coming up again and again, and the kings keep falling into it as if they're totally unaware of its dangers?

We'll see in this lesson how idolatry causes a deep distortion in our sense of purpose and view of ourselves. And most importantly, it erodes our knowledge of God and His heart.

Imagine then what idolatry can do today when sin’s disordering work invades and corrupts the workings of normal society riddle with idols, and how easily it invades the institution of the church.

Today, we’ll see this distortion is at the center of the good king Jehoshaphat. King Jehoshaphat tried to reinforce ways to make people aware of distortion by creating a civilian program of learning around God’s Word. He instituted an education program under qualified men and later also expanded this program to set up judges among the priests, Levites, and heads of the Israelite families (19:8). Amariah the chief priest was the head judge in spiritual matters while Zebadiah son of Ishmael was the judge in administrative issues (vs 11).

While he was zealous for his people to follow God’s Word, he himself fell into compromise with pagan idolators who he allowed to marry into his family.

Out-tro: Sarah Grove He's Always Been Faithful