“In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus…but they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel.”                    -2 Chronicles 28:23

Jotham started to rule when his father, Uzziah, who had grown prideful before the Lord, was struck with leprosy. After the death of his father, Jotham would reign another sixteen years as king of Judah. While there aren’t many details given about the reign of Jotham, we are told “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD …the people, however, continued their corrupt practices” (2 Chronicles 27:2).

We are also told that Jotham won a great victory over the Ammonites, and that he “grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.” However, despite his successes, we are simply told he died just past the age of 40 with no details of how he died. After his death, he was succeeded by his son, Ahaz.

Ahaz would abandon the ways of his faithful father, Jotham. He refused to worship God. Instead, he worshipped Baal and just about every other god. Because of his idolatry, the LORD gave Judah over to their enemies. In desperation, Ahaz appealed to the king of Assyria for help. 2 Chronicles 28:20 tells us, “Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help.” Instead of trusting in the Lord, Ahaz looked to the wicked and powerful kings around him for help, tried to bribe them, but instead invited destruction.

Why God would allow Jotham, a good king, to die and be succeeded by such a wicked and corrupt king? The answer, I believe, is at the end of the verse above from 2 Chronicles 27:2, “the people, however, continued their corrupt practices.” Even though Jotham was a godly king, the people did not follow his lead. In Ahaz, God gave his people the type of king their evil hearts desired, and the king they deserved.

God often gives us the leaders our deeds deserve. When we, as a people, act wickedly; when we forget to honor God, He gives us leaders that act accordingly. A wicked people will choose wicked leaders that never bring prosperity but always invite destruction.

When Mike Johnson was recently chosen to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of the first attacks against him was directed at his Christian faith. It wasn’t directed at his political actions, but his sincere religious beliefs. If we as a nation continue to celebrate wickedness and attack those who follow Christ, we won’t be destroyed from without, but from within. If we want the blessings of God; if we want Godly leadership, we need to endeavor to be a Godly people. And that starts with us, the Church. We need to be a people of prayer, interceding for our nation, and praying earnestly for Godly leaders.   

– Blessings, Pastor Barry