2 Chronicles 17:7-19: a reflection

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.

Early in his reign, King Jehoshaphat does something wise: he sends officials, Levites, and priests throughout the cities of Judah to teach the people God's law. They 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. Jehoshaphat saw the value of the people knowing God's word, and made it a priority to have them taught, sending teachers with the Scriptures throughout the land. He did not leave the people ignorant of God's law, but took care that they be taught it, grounding the nation in the knowledge of God's word.

Notice what Jehoshaphat prioritized: teaching the people God's word. He might have relied on other means to secure his kingdom, force, alliances, building projects; and he did some of these. But he made it a priority to have the people taught God's law, sending teachers with the Scriptures throughout the land. He valued the people's knowing God's word, and took care that they be instructed in it. To ground the people in the knowledge of God's law was, in Jehoshaphat's judgment, worth the effort of sending teachers everywhere. The teaching of God's word to the people was a priority for him, a good he took pains to secure. He wanted the people to know the Scriptures, and made it happen.

That is worth taking to heart, for the teaching and knowing of God's word is a good worth prioritizing. We can neglect the teaching and knowing of God's word, leaving ourselves and others ignorant of it, prioritizing other things; but Jehoshaphat made it a priority to have the people taught God's law, sending teachers throughout the land. The knowledge of God's word is worth taking pains to secure, for ourselves and for others. Do not neglect the teaching and knowing of God's word, leaving yourself or others ignorant of it; make it a priority, as Jehoshaphat sent teachers to instruct the people in God's law. Prioritize the teaching and knowing of God's word, taking pains to be instructed in it and to help others know it, as Jehoshaphat sent teachers with the Scriptures throughout Judah to teach the people; for the knowledge of God's word is a good worth securing, and there is wisdom in grounding ourselves and others in the Scriptures rather than neglecting them for other things.

Lord, early in his reign, King Jehoshaphat does something wise: he sends officials, Levites, and priests throughout the cities of Judah to teach the people your law. They 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. Jehoshaphat saw the value of the people knowing your word, and made it a priority to have them taught, sending teachers with the Scriptures throughout the land. Show me what Jehoshaphat prioritized: teaching the people your word. He might have relied on other means to secure his kingdom, force, alliances, building projects; and he did some of these. But he made it a priority to have the people taught your law. He valued the people's knowing your word, and took care that they be instructed in it. To ground the people in the knowledge of your law was, in his judgment, worth the effort of sending teachers everywhere. The teaching of your word to the people was a priority for him. Take that to my heart, for the teaching and knowing of your word is a good worth prioritizing. I can neglect the teaching and knowing of your word, leaving myself and others ignorant of it, prioritizing other things; but Jehoshaphat made it a priority to have the people taught your law. The knowledge of your word is worth taking pains to secure. Keep me from neglecting the teaching and knowing of your word, leaving myself or others ignorant of it; help me make it a priority, Lord, as Jehoshaphat sent teachers to instruct the people in your law, taking pains to be instructed in it and to help others know it.