2 Chronicles 17
McGeeCHAPTERS 1720THEME: Revival during Jehoshaphat’s reignThis section records the second great revival period. It was much greater than the revival of Asa. Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa, was a man marvelously used of God. Remember that Chronicles gives God’s viewpoint of the period of the kings and records what God considers important during the reigns of these men.
2 Chronicles 17:1
That is, he strengthened the kingdom of Judah against Israel, the northern kingdom.
2 Chronicles 17:2
You recall in the previous chapter we are told of war between Judah and Israel. Jehoshaphat is taking precautions to protect his kingdom.
2 Chronicles 17:3
Notice that it says he walked in the “first ways” of his fathernot in the way David walked in his old age, but when he was a young king, trusted the Lord.
2 Chronicles 17:4
In the Old Testament a sign of God’s approval was material prosperity.
2 Chronicles 17:6
TEACHING THE WORDDo you realize what Jehoshaphat did? He started a “Thru the Bible” program! Because I sign my name J. Vernon McGee, people ask me what the “J” stands for, and I generally give them some facetious answer. So I’ll give you one: it stands for Jehoshaphat because he was the first one to start a “Thru the Bible” program. He sent out the Levites. Since they didn’t have mechanical means of communication, they had to go out personally. Jehoshaphat sent them out by the hundreds and maybe even by the thousands. They spread throughout the entire kingdom teaching the Word of God. My friend, that is the way of revival. Until the church gets back to the Word of God, there will be no real revival. All movements in or out of the church will come to naught unless they are anchored in the Word of God. There are wonderful things that are happening today. Some are inside the church; some are outside the organized church. If they are rooted in the Word of God, revival will be the result. Now notice the reaction to the teaching of the Word of God.
2 Chronicles 17:10
Jehoshaphat had to build great storage places to house all the gifts that were brought to him. You see, this man was marvelously used of God. When revival came to Judah, it had its effect upon all the nations around them. The revival spread. Even the Philistines, who were the inveterate enemies of David, became friendly and sent gifts and silver for tribute to him. It even penetrated among the Arabian people. The Arabs sent flocks of animals to him. You will also notice that there was no war against him. Spiritual revival is a cure for war. If a nation wishes to have peace, it must turn to God. That is God’s method and always has been. If a nation is constantly at war, it is because that nation has turned away from God.
2 Chronicles 17:13
This was a time of peace, but Jehoshaphat kept an army for protection. The captains are listed in the next few verses. He is a great ruler. He has provided ample protection in case there should be an attack by the enemy, but God has given him peace.
2 Chronicles 17:19
Jehoshaphat is a great man by all measurements. But now we see him doing something that is almost unbelievable.