Title: Jehoshaphat's Education Policy (2 Chronicles 17:7-9)
Contents After Jehoshaphat became king, he implemented various policies to preserve the religious purity of Israel. With great pride in serving Jehovah, he boldly gathered foreign gods and demolished the altars. And in the third year of his reign, a nationwide religious education was conducted extensively. Jehoshaphat set up a board of education made up of high-ranking Jewish officials to instruct all the Jewish people. His actions were to crush the evil influence that had corrupted Judea and to turn them back on the right path.
1. Jehoshaphat's education policy was an appropriate policy Jehoshaphat, who succeeded Asa as king of Judea, was a king with deep insight and intelligence. Therefore, he made his people aware of the importance of religious education. One of the biggest problems the Israelites struggled with when they conquered, settled, and lived in the land of Canaan was keeping their religion pure from the pagan gods and idolatry worshiped by the indigenous people of Canaan. The history of Canaanite policy is the history of struggle between whether the religion of Jehovah God dominates Canaan or whether foreign gods dominate Canaan, or whether the Israelites will choose God or a foreign god. Jehoshaphat, who was well acquainted with the history of Israel in relation to Jehovah God, knew that the only way for Israel to always serve God was the only way to ensure the well-being of the nation and the peace of the people.
2. Composition of the Board of Education The members of this Board of Education were those with public and religious authority, and although not mentioned in the text, they possessed exceptional talents and qualities. (1) Princes There were five princes in this Board of Education, whose role was to represent the government. (2) Levites There were nine Levites on this board of education, whose roles were to teach the people about the temple rituals. (3) Priests The Board of Education consisted of two priests whose role was to explain to the people the nature of faith and to strengthen religious duties. They were not warriors or warriors, but as reformers and revivalists, their main task was to teach the people their duty to God, to the king, and to one another.
4. Results of their activities (1) Outward prosperity By this, Judea was reformed and received God's great blessing, and enjoyed great prosperity and peace, and many opportunities for education and commerce. (2) Moral appearance All the people returned to the path of true faith and service to God. The Bible always brings this result through all ages. The Bible edifies people, uplifts them morally, and transforms their lives.
5. Jehoshaphat was very happy with the love of the people Verse 5 says "all Judah" "brought him a gift" as an example of his kindness in sending preachers to them. The more true the religion of the people, the more conscientious loyalty arises. Governments that serve their purposes will be supported. The love of God and the people of the kingdom of Judah made him “abundant in wealth and prosperity.” Faith and godliness make us experience that our outward prosperity is our best friend. The successive kings of Israel forget God when they enjoy the blessing of wealth and prosperity, but in the case of Jehoshaphat, the opposite effect was shown. The more he grew, the more he devoted his heart to Jehovah's ways.