Reading 2 Chronicles 20…again.

This is the chapter that made me see God for who he is. That’s a story for another time.

Every time I study it, God shows me something new.

This time it’s about leadership.

Jehoshaphat, in this chapter, verses 1-34, was a foreshadowing of some of the character of Jesus Christ. What do I mean by that?

Luke 2:52: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

If you look at 2 Chronicles 17, you’ll read that the armies of Judah were about 780,000 people. Historians say that the military made up about 20-25% of the population at the time, making Judah about 4.2 million people. Now, with other historical evidence, some historians suggest that it’s far too high for the time, and it was more likely around 1-1.5 million.

Under the leadership of Jehoshaphat, ALL the cities of Judah came to seek the Lord, ALL of Judah stood in front of the Lord, and ALL of Judah fell before the Lord.

The bible doesn’t say some, it doesn’t suggest most, it says all.

1.5 million people are following the commands of their king.

Why?

Not because he was tyrannical. Not because he was heavy-handed. Not because he made corrupt laws.

Because he increased in wisdom and stature, and the favor of God and men.

This is a vital lesson in leadership for those who call themselves Christians.

Yes, I get it, the world will hate us because they hated Jesus first.

Yes, we don’t seek to please men; we seek to please God.

But in the example of Jehoshaphat and afterwards Jesus, we’re called to disciple the nations, to teach them of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, to follow the commands of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

And we cannot accomplish any of this without gaining the favor of God and men.