2Chron. 19 Courageous Leaders

Upon Jehoshaphat’s return to Samaria, he was met by Jehu who prophesied to the king; reproving him for the unholy alliance with Israel and Ahab, while at the same time approving him for spiritually cleansing the land and having prepared his heart to “seek God.” The king’s response was to go throughout from Dan to Beersheba to reconcile with former believers in Yahweh.

We observe two distinct jurisdictional boundaries referenced; one civil and the other spiritual. Zebadiah was over the civil government and Amariah over the spiritual. It’s worthy to note that BOTH leaders were admonished to not have “iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes”; which likely was in reference to Micaiah’s candid response concerning the word of the Lord.

This portion of scripture isn’t an affirmation of separation of church and state; rather it is a delineation of responsibilities for each group. There were things civil government had responsibility for that the religious government didn’t. The same is true today!

Jehoshaphat concludes his admonishment to those involved in government and spiritual issues to “behave courageously, and the Lord will be with the good.”

There are times, whether in civil or spiritual governing that courage is required. As leaders there are often instances we’re called upon to act courageously and not vacillate.