Turned Them Back to the Lord

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Turned Them Back to the Lord

Date: Nov. 20, 2025

Passage

2 Chronicles 19:1-11 (ESV)

1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the LORD and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: 10 whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. 11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the upright!”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 19:4

Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

By God’s mercy, Jehoshaphat returned safely to his palace. Jehu the seer rebuked Jehoshaphat. He rebuked him for helping and loving wicked Ahab and his household. His intermarriage with Ahab’s family would be a snare for his descendants.

Then, as he had done earlier with his officials, Jehoshaphat himself went out from Beersheba to Ephraim to turn the people back to God. He must have been a great Bible teacher. Jehoshaphat really loved God. He set up judges in each city and encouraged them to judge before God. In this way, he wanted to give correct judgement, and at the same time reveal God, who is just and has no partiality.

Additionally, Jehoshaphat appointed Levites, priests, and heads of the families to judge and settle disputes with the fear of God. Jehoshaphat tried his best to establish justice and order. He wanted the people to return to God and live in peace through God’s justice. Through this, Jehoshaphat wanted to show who God is and show the love of God. When God’s justice is restored and our relationship with God is restored, we can live in true peace and freedom.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your love and justice in our lives.

One Word: Return to God, who is full of love and full of justice

God Punishes Evil but Does Not Destroy the House of David

2 Chronicles 21:1-20

Key Verse: 21:6,7

Today's Question

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