Context No. 2910 of 4322 · 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 17:7-19: in context

7Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9They taught in Judah, having the book of the LORD’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. 10The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats. 12Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah. 13He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. 14This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: From Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor; 15and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand; 16and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. 17From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; 18and next to him Jehozabad, and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready and prepared for war. 19These were those who waited on the king, in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

In the third year of his reign, King Jehoshaphat does something notable: he sends his officials, along with Levites and priests, throughout the towns of Judah to teach the people, carrying the book of the LORD's law with them. They go from city to city, teaching. And the fear of the LORD falls on the surrounding nations, so that none make war on him, while Jehoshaphat grows strong.

Notice what the king puts first. Not an army or a wall, but a teaching mission, men sent through every town so the people would actually know God's word. And the peace and strength that follow are shown as the fruit of that reform; when the people were taught, the fear of the LORD spread and the nation flourished. Spiritual renewal through teaching came first and undergirded everything else. A leader who invests first in his people knowing God builds on a firmer foundation than one who invests first in walls.

Do I invest first in knowing, and helping others know, God's word, trusting that a life built on that stands firmer than one built on outward strength?

Sources

2 Chronicles 17:9: "They taught in Judah, having the book of the LORD's law with them... and taught among the people."
Nehemiah 8:8: "They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading."
Matthew 6:33: "But seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well."