2 Chroniques - Caput 19

2 Chroniques 19.1 reversus est autem Iosaphat rex Iuda domum suam pacifice in Hierusalem 2 Chroniques 19.2 cui occurrit Hieu filius Anani videns et ait ad eum impio praebes auxilium et his qui oderunt Dominum amicitia iungeris et idcirco iram quidem Domini merebaris 2 Chroniques 19.3 sed bona opera inventa sunt in te eo quod abstuleris lucos de terra Iuda et praeparaveris cor tuum ut requireres Dominum 2 Chroniques 19.4 habitavit ergo Iosaphat in Hierusalem rursumque egressus est ad populum de Bersabee usque ad montem Ephraim et revocavit eos ad Dominum Deum patrum suorum 2 Chroniques 19.5 constituitque iudices terrae in cunctis civitatibus Iuda munitis per singula loca 2 Chroniques 19.6 et praecipiens iudicibus videte ait quid faciatis non enim hominis exercetis iudicium sed Domini et quodcumque iudicaveritis in vos redundabit 2 Chroniques 19.7 sit timor Domini vobiscum et cum diligentia cuncta facite non est enim apud Dominum Deum nostrum iniquitas nec personarum acceptio nec cupido munerum 2 Chroniques 19.8 in Hierusalem quoque constituit Iosaphat Levitas et sacerdotes et principes familiarum ex Israhel ut iudicium et causam Domini iudicarent habitatoribus eius 2 Chroniques 19.9 praecepitque eis dicens sic agetis in timore Dei fideliter et corde perfecto 2 Chroniques 19.10 omnem causam quae venerit ad vos fratrum vestrorum qui habitant in urbibus suis inter cognationem et cognationem ubicumque quaestio est de lege de mandato de caerimoniis de iustificationibus ostendite eis ut non peccent in Dominum et ne veniat ira super vos et super fratres vestros sic ergo agetis et non peccabitis 2 Chroniques 19.11 Amarias autem sacerdos et pontifex vester in his quae ad Dominum pertinent praesidebit porro Zabadias filius Ismahel qui est dux in domo Iuda super ea opera erit quae ad regis officium pertinent habetisque magistros Levitas coram vobis confortamini et agite diligenter et erit Dominus cum bonis

2 Chroniques : Caput 19

Jehoshaphat's Judicial Reforms: Establishing Justice According to God's Heart

Chapter 19 of the book of 2 Chronicles presents the judicial reforms undertaken by King Jehoshaphat. This insightful text invites us to reflect on how to establish justice in accordance with God's heart. Through a rebuke from the prophet Jehu, the establishment of a fair judicial system, and an exhortation to judges, this chapter addresses essential themes such as the responsibility of leaders, the importance of impartiality, and the fear of the Lord in the administration of justice.

Principles of Justice in the Scriptures

We invite you to explore five biblical passages that shed light on the fundamental principles of this significant chapter:

Deuteronomy 16:18-20

"You shall place judges and officers in all your gates, whom the Lord your God gives you among your tribes, that they may judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert the In judgment, you shall not respect persons or accept bribes, for corruption blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous. Only righteousness shall you pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God gives you."

This passage resonates with Jehoshaphat's judicial reforms, as described in 2 Chronicles 19:5-7.

Leviticus 19:15

"You shall not commit injustice in judgment; you shall not respect the person of the poor or honor the powerful ; but with justice you shall judge your neighbor."

This echoes Jehoshaphat's instructions to the judges in 2 Chronicles 19:7.

Micah 6:8

"He has declared to you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

This verse reaffirms the principles of justice and the fear of God that Jehoshaphat established in 2 Chronicles 19:9-11.

Romans 13:1

"Every soul must be subject to the higher powers, for there is no power except from God, and the powers that are ordained by God."

This passage reflects Jehoshaphat's organization of the judicial system, recognizing authority as coming from God.

James 2:1

"My brothers, do not believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with regard to individuals."

This refers to Jehoshaphat's instruction to the judges, commanding them to show no partiality, as emphasized in 2 Chronicles 19:7.

As we meditate on these passages, we are called to live a righteousness that reflects God's love and fairness, guided by His wisdom in all our actions. May the Lord help us establish justice according to His heart.