1 Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.
3 He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.
4 Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
5 He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.
6 So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
8 He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
9 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
The book of 2 Chronicles is a part of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible and is believed to have been written by the prophet Ezra. It is a historical record of the kings of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, and focuses on their spiritual and political leadership. Chapter 27 of 2 Chronicles talks about the reign of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, who ruled Judah for sixteen years. This chapter highlights the key events and accomplishments of Jotham's reign as well as the spiritual significance and lessons that can be learned from his life.
Before delving into the details of chapter 27, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. At the time of Jotham’s reign, the kingdom of Judah was experiencing a period of prosperity and military success under the rule of his father, Uzziah. However, towards the end of Uzziah’s reign, he became prideful and attempted to offer incense in the temple, an act that was reserved only for the priests. As a result, he was struck with leprosy and was forced to live in isolation until his death. This event had a significant impact on the kingdom of Judah and set the stage for Jotham’s reign.
Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king and ruled for sixteen years in Jerusalem. Unlike his father, he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of the Lord. However, he did not remove the high places where the people of Judah continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense to other gods. This was a common practice during this time, and Jotham’s failure to address it would have consequences in the future.
During Jotham’s reign, Judah experienced peace and prosperity. He built and fortified cities in the hill country of Judah and also built castles and towers in the forests. Jotham also defeated the Ammonites, who were a constant threat to the kingdom, and made them pay tribute to Judah. This was a significant military victory for Judah and further solidified their power and dominance in the region.
Jotham also focused on strengthening the kingdom’s defenses by building towers and walls around Jerusalem. He also made sure to equip his army with weapons and shields, which were essential for their protection. Jotham’s reign was characterized by wisdom and military success, which further elevated the kingdom of Judah in the eyes of other nations.
Despite his accomplishments, Jotham’s reign was not without flaws. He failed to address the issue of idolatry, which was prevalent in the kingdom. This would have a lasting impact on the spiritual state of Judah and would eventually lead to their downfall. Jotham’s failure to remove the high places and other forms of idol worship set a precedent for future kings, who would also turn a blind eye to the spiritual condition of the kingdom.
Furthermore, Jotham’s reign also highlights the importance of seeking God’s wisdom and guidance in all areas of our lives. Jotham’s success in building and fortifying cities, as well as his military victories, were a result of seeking the Lord’s wisdom and following His ways. This serves as a reminder for us to always seek God’s guidance and to trust in His plans for our lives.
The story of Jotham’s reign teaches us several important lessons that are applicable to our lives today. Firstly, it reminds us of the consequences of pride and disobedience to God’s commands. Uzziah’s prideful act of offering incense in the temple had a lasting impact on the kingdom of Judah, and it serves as a warning for us to guard against pride and to always humble ourselves before the Lord.
Secondly, Jotham’s reign highlights the importance of seeking God’s wisdom and guidance in all areas of our lives. As we see in Jotham’s life, seeking God’s will and following His ways leads to success and prosperity. This serves as a reminder for us to always seek God’s guidance and to trust in His plans for our lives.
Lastly, Jotham’s failure to address the issue of idolatry serves as a reminder for us to constantly examine our hearts and to remove any idols that may be hindering our relationship with God. Just as Jotham’s failure had long-lasting consequences for the kingdom of Judah, our own spiritual compromises can have a lasting impact on our lives.
Chapter 27 of 2 Chronicles is a record of the reign of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, and highlights the key events and accomplishments of his sixteen-year reign. It also sheds light on the spiritual significance and lessons that can be learned from his life. Jotham’s reign serves as a reminder for us to guard against pride and to always seek God’s wisdom and guidance in all areas of our lives. It also reminds us of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of constantly examining our hearts and removing any idols that may hinder our relationship with God. Ultimately, the story of Jotham’s reign points towards the faithfulness and sovereignty of God, who remains in control despite the shortcomings of human leaders.
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