Unset Hearts
2 Chronicles 20:33
The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their fathers.
This rather sad verse comes after this much happier one: "He walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD." And I don't understand the contradiction between this heart and 17:6, which says that Jehoshaphat did remove the high places. Did he, or didn't he? Did he not get them all? Did the people sneak out and build new ones after he took the old ones down?
That last might be a possibility, given the second part of the verse. As good as the king was, the people still had individual responsibility for their own hearts.
This is the chapter where God defeated the armies attacking Judah, and it has some great parts in it. Everyone from Judah, whole families, came to Jerusalem for guidance and protection. God replied in a big way.
After the king's prayer, the prophet Jahaziel was inspired and spoke up, saying things like "For the battle is not yours, but God's. . .You will not have to fight this battle." The army was led by men singing "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." And it turned out better than anyone could have imagined.
Still, the writer had to note that the people hadn't chosen to set their hearts on Yahweh. When they were scared witless, they flocked to Jerusalem and listened to their king's godly words, and they even fell down in worship.
But their hearts weren't set. Maybe it is important to keep that in mind, so we are not shocked when God's patience finally, finally runs out.
The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their fathers.
This rather sad verse comes after this much happier one: "He walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD." And I don't understand the contradiction between this heart and 17:6, which says that Jehoshaphat did remove the high places. Did he, or didn't he? Did he not get them all? Did the people sneak out and build new ones after he took the old ones down?
That last might be a possibility, given the second part of the verse. As good as the king was, the people still had individual responsibility for their own hearts.
This is the chapter where God defeated the armies attacking Judah, and it has some great parts in it. Everyone from Judah, whole families, came to Jerusalem for guidance and protection. God replied in a big way.
After the king's prayer, the prophet Jahaziel was inspired and spoke up, saying things like "For the battle is not yours, but God's. . .You will not have to fight this battle." The army was led by men singing "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." And it turned out better than anyone could have imagined.
Still, the writer had to note that the people hadn't chosen to set their hearts on Yahweh. When they were scared witless, they flocked to Jerusalem and listened to their king's godly words, and they even fell down in worship.
But their hearts weren't set. Maybe it is important to keep that in mind, so we are not shocked when God's patience finally, finally runs out.
posted by ruthees @ 2:22 PM
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