Jehoshaphat: The Fear of God

Sermons by Bob Vincent and Others

Jehu the prophet showed great boldness in confronting King Jehoshaphat as he returned from joining with King Ahab of Israel (2 Chronicles 19:1-2). Jehu has the boldness of Nathan who declared, "You are the man!" to David in response to David's rage against a rich man who stole and slaughtered a poor man's lamb that "was like a daughter to him" (2 Samuel 12:1-7).As with David who repented (Psalm 32:1-7; Psalm 51:10-12), so King Jehoshaphat demonstrates true repentance as he sets his heart on seeking God (2 Chronicles 19:3).Jehoshaphat not only repents, but he moved among the people and "turned them back to the God of their fathers" (2 Chronicles 19:4).He appoints godly judges, admonishing them to "let the fear of the LORD be upon you" (2 Chronicles 19:5-6).In the Gospel of Luke, the Lord Jesus cites an example of an unjust judge who "neither feared God nor cared (entrépō; ἐντρέπω: "Have regard for, respect") about men" (Luke 18:2). But this cynical and calloused politician responded to a poor widow who kept harassing him (Luke 18:3-5).