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bringing people back

2 Chronicles 19:4-11

2 Chronicles 19:4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to Yahveh, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 19:5 He appointed judges in all the fortified cities of the land of Judah, city by city.
2 Chronicles 19:6 Then he said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for a mere mortal, but for Yahveh, who is with you in the matter of judgment.
2 Chronicles 19:7 And now, may the terror of Yahveh be on you. Watch what you do, for there is no injustice or partiality or taking bribes with Yahveh our God.”
2 Chronicles 19:8 Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites and priests and some of the Israelite family heads for deciding Yahveh’s will and for settling disputes of the residents of Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 19:9 He commanded them, saying, “In the fear of Yahveh, with integrity, and wholeheartedly, you are to do the following:
2 Chronicles 19:10 For every dispute that comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities– whether it regards differences of bloodguilt, law, commandment, statutes, or judgments– you are to warn them, so they will not incur guilt before Yahveh and wrath will not come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.
2 Chronicles 19:11 “Note that Amariah, the chief priest, is over you in all matters related to Yahveh, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters related to the king, and the Levites are officers in your presence. Be strong; may Yahveh be with those who do what is good.”

bringing people back

Having been warned not to seek reunification with Israel, Jehoshaphat sets his sights on strengthening the ties of Judah with their God. He appoints judges, but these judges were not autonomous rescuers as in the book of Judges. They were appointed representatives of the king, to settle issues of bloodshed, law, and commandment, statutes or rules (10). They also had the backing of the priests and Levites. The purpose of the whole project was to bring Judah back to the LORD (4). How did Jehoshaphat know that this was needed? He might have taken his own name as a hint. Jehoshaphat means “the LORD is Judge”.

LORD, help us to focus our attention on bringing people back to you.