Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done (although he did not enter the temple of the LORD). But still the people acted corruptly.
He built the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD, and he built extensively on the wall of Ophel. Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers. He also fought with the king of the Ammonites and defeated them. And the people of Ammon gave him in that year one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand kors of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. The people of Ammon paid this to him in the second and third years also. So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. So Jotham rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the City of David. Then Ahaz his son reigned in his place.—2 Chronicles 27:1-9
Being a good king has got to be a tough job. Being a good and godly king even tougher. Jotham, by preparing his ways before the Lord navigated it well.
So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.—2 Chronicles 27:6
As the ruler of the land Jotham faced temptations that those in lower positions do not. What he said and did had far reaching effects not only in his kingdom but in other lands as well. Both his failures and his successes were evident to all. Beloved…It is the same for us, just on a smaller scale. I so want my own words and my own actions to be a godly example to those that God has placed in my life…be they relative, friend or foe.
Jotham lived (as all of us do) among a corrupt people, but he did not become like them because Jotham wholly followed the Lord His God. He did not worry about what other kings may have thought of him. Neither did he look to satisfy his own fleshly desires. Jotham looked to please the Lord His God. Jotham purposed to obey his God…and God prospered him. May that be our desire as well.
Oh, Father! No matter the position in which You have placed us…may our humble prayer always be, “lead us not into temptation.” May we, like Jotham, depend on Your grace to preserve, prosper and see us through the tasks that you have set before us.
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.—2 Timothy 2:1
Ending with some verses from Isaiah 50…Jesus is speaking.
"The Lord GOD has given Me
The tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak
A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned.
The Lord GOD has opened My ear;
And I was not rebellious,
Nor did I turn away.
I gave My back to those who struck Me,
And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;
I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.
"For the Lord GOD will help Me;
Therefore I will not be disgraced;
Therefore I have set My face like a flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.
He is near who justifies Me;
Who will contend with Me?
Let us stand together.
Who is My adversary?
Let him come near Me.
Surely the Lord GOD will help Me;
Who is he who will condemn Me?
Indeed they will all grow old like a garment;
The moth will eat them up.—Isaiah 50:4-9
